Ancient historiography, including biblical historiography, does not make a strict distinction between historical facts and their interpretation. Thus we have both in the books of Samuel: the description of what are presented as historical facts and their religious interpretation, which is most clearly visible when God appears as a figure. Between these two poles, however, there is a wide range of nuances in the books of Samuel, whereby the balance may be seen to tip very differently|whether more or less in the direction of fact or fiction. In the case of the books of Samuel, the tipping point is not always clear, and indeed may depend on how the scales are calibrated.
This volume contains contributions from recognized Samuel scholars from around the world and reflects the variety of approaches seen in Samuel scholarship today, including those concerned with textual, literary, religious and historical aspects of the Samuel traditions and the tensions between them.