Who is listed as the author of 1 Samuel chapters 1–24?

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

Answer: (A)

Authorship of 1 Samuel is treated as a composite from ancient sources, with different prophets contributing to different sections. In the edition or study tradition used here, the early portion of 1 Samuel (the chapters up to the point where Samuel’s role begins to fade and the narrative shifts) is listed as written by Nathan. Nathan was a recognized prophet and counselor to David, and in the scribal tradition he is credited with preserving and shaping the record of Israel’s early monarchy, including the Samuel material. This is why Nathan is shown as the listed author for these chapters. The other figures don’t fit this particular portion in the typical attributions used in your course materials: Moses is associated with the earlier Pentateuch, and Gad is linked with later/redactional material in Samuel, while Samuel himself is often tied to the broader material but not the specific early section as labeled in this listing.