Editing Samuel (section)

===Deuteronomistic Samuel===
According to the [[documentary hypothesis]] of Biblical source criticism, which postulates that "[[Deuteronomist|Deuteronomistic historians]]" redacted the [[Former Prophets]] (Joshua, Judges, 1 and 2 Samuel, and 1 and 2 Kings), the Deuteronomists idealized Samuel as a figure larger than life, like [[Joshua]]. For example, Samuel's father [[Elkanah (husband of Hannah)|Elkanah]] is described as having originated from [[Zuph]], specifically [[Ramathaim-Zophim]], which was part of the tribal lands of [[Ephraim]], while [[Books of Chronicles|1 Chronicles]] states that he was a [[Levite]].<ref>1 Chronicles 6:33–38</ref> Samuel is portrayed as a judge who leads the military, as the judges in the Book of Judges, and also who exercises judicial functions. In 1 Sam 12:6–17, a speech of Samuel that portrays him as the judge sent by God to save Israel may have been composed by the Deuteronomists.<ref name="Michael D. Coogan 2009">Michael D. Coogan, ''A Brief Introduction to the Old Testament: the Hebrew Bible in its Context'' (New York: Oxford, 2009), 196.{{ISBN?}}</ref> In 1 Samuel 9:6–20, Samuel is seen as a local "seer". According to documentary scholarship, the Deuteronomistic historians preserved this view of Samuel while contributing him as "the first of prophets to articulate the failure of Israel to live up to its covenant with God."<ref name="Michael D. Coogan 2009"/> For the Deuteronomistic historians, Samuel would have been an extension of Moses and continuing Moses' function as a prophet, judge, and priest, which makes the nature of the historical Samuel uncertain.<ref name="Michael D. Coogan 2009"/>