What message does God portray throughout the first & second book of Samuel?

There are so many themes throughout the books of Samuel. In our study here, we focused mainly on David.

Samuel's mom Hannah was barren for many years and could not conceive. She pleaded with God and wept until she was given a baby boy. Her promise to God was that she would give this boy as a gift to the temple and this boy's life would be dedicated to serve God. Samuel became a prophet and God used him to anoint Israel's first king, Saul. Saul walked in obedience with God but after a time he fell into sin and defied God, so he was cursed for the remainder of his days.

The second King God chose was David. David walked in obedience to God and he fought battles that God chose for him to fight. David, in his early day's, only did things that God gave him permission to do. Because of his success serving in Saul's army, the people chanted his name: "Saul has killed his thousands and David his ten thousands". These words made Saul envious as he saw that the people were starting to favor David over him. He, from that moment, made it his mission to hunt and kill David. So David fled to the wilderness in search of peace from his King's pursuit.

David had many opportunities to avenge himself and kill Saul, but he chose not to because he refused to kill one who is anointed by God and he was assured that God was his sole protector not himself.

In David's character, we can see how obedience and patience lead to blessings. Though David was anointed at a young age (historians believe anywhere between 10 to 15 years old), he was tormented and persecuted by Saul for a long time. He didn't become king till the age of 30. And when he became king, only the tribe of Judah accepted him as king. It took another 7 1/2 years for a unified Israel to come under his authority.