The people of God are living in a time of social, political, and religious transition and upheaval. The book of 1 Samuel finds us at the end of generations of covenant faithlessness throughout the time of the Judges, constant war and threats from neighboring peoples, and a priestly order that is more concerned with their own desires than administering the right worship of Yahweh. The closing words of the book of Judges echo throughout the opening pages, “In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes.” Israel has demanded a king, but not from a holy desire for a righteous ruler. Their search for a king is an envious coveting of the nations around them and a rejection of the righteous rule of Yahweh as their king.

Now that king, Saul, has come under the judgement of God. Rejected as king, he and his house will come to ruin as another is anointed to take his place. God's desire is for a king who is a "man after His own heart," and we find that David the son of Jesse is such a man.