Who is credited with authoring both 1 Samuel and 2 Samuel?

• A. Nathan
• B. Gad
• C. Samuel
• D. Ezra

Answer: (B)

The main idea here is the traditional view of who wrote the books of Samuel. In ancient Jewish and Christian tradition, the history told in 1 Samuel and 2 Samuel is attributed to the prophet Samuel, with additional material added by Gad and Nathan. Samuel stands as the central figure associated with authoring the narrative across both books, since the events and leadership begin with him and continue into the story of Israel’s monarchy. Gad and Nathan are recognized as contributors or editors who provided material, but they aren’t typically regarded as the sole authors of either book. Ezra, on the other hand, is a later figure associated with other writings, not with Samuel. So the name most closely linked with authoring both volumes is Samuel.