[5] This is within a section comprising 1 Samuel 7–15 which records the rise of the monarchy in Israel and the account of the first years of King Saul.

[8][9][10][12] Extant ancient manuscripts of a translation into Koine Greek known as the Septuagint (originally was made in the last few centuries BCE) include Codex Vaticanus (B;

[16] Covenantal language and a historical summary were common in covenant ceremonies, as also notable in Joshua 24, consisting of 'introduction, antecedent history, transition to the present, requirements, blessings, and curses'.

[17] Samuel was confirmed to be true to the prophetic office and had acted according to God's will, so he would continue to serve the people as intercessor and instructor (verse 23),[17] exhorting them to obey God, so they would not perish for their sins[18] After stating that the kingship was a 'concession in response to popular demand' (verse 1), Samuel admitted that this was a departure from the kind of leadership exercised by himself, and posed a number of questions with the aim of justifying his ruling thus far.

[17] Even in his old age, Samuel still possessed supernatural powers that he could call upon God to bring thunder and rain that day (verses 17–18),[17] a rare occurrence during the period of wheat harvest and if severely happened, it would destroy the ripe crops.