The two Books of Samuel.
The two Books of Samuel.
§ 128. The two Books of Samuel. The author of the Glossa ordinaria claims that Samuel wrote the first book up to the part where his death is mentioned (c. 25) and that David added the rest, as well as the second book. There are some who confirm this opinion from 1 Chron. 29:29. Therefore they are called “the Books of Samuel,” first, by reason of their instrumental efficient cause because Samuel wrote a good part of them; second, by reason of their subject matter and object because the history of Samuel is described in the first part of the first book. In the latter part of the first book, as well as in the second book, the activities are told of the first Israelite kings, Saul and David. As a result of this, among the Greeks and Latins they are also called 1 and 2 Kings. Some think that the prophets Nathan and Gad wrote the latter part of the first book and the second book.
First Samuel consists of thirty-one chapters and contains the history of eighty years: forty under Eli (1 Sam. 4:18) and forty under Samuel and Saul (Acts 13:21). With regard to the objects that it describes, it can be divided into three parts: the history (1) of Samuel, the last judge; (2) of Saul, the first king; and (3) of David, chosen in place of Saul. Second Samuel consists of twenty-four chapters and contains the history of the forty years under King David (2 Sam. 5:4-5). It can be divided according to the status of the Davidic kingdom, of which it explains: (1) the beginning, (2) the growth, (3) the end. First Samuel has 797 verses; 2 Samuel, 679.