Gilmour frames the composition, historical context and literary features of 1 Samuel 1-15 in terms of political and theological debates including relative power dynamics of priests, prophets, kings, elders and democratic elements in later monarchic, and post monarchic communities. Geopolitics, theopolitics and patrimonial kingship are explored in the portrayals of Philistine and Amalekite enemies, the violence of the ark and the rise and rejection of the priestly house of Eli and the royal house of Saul. Drawing on contemporary methodologies, these features are illuminated by salient aspects of theory including interpretations through history, and disability-, interspecies-, gender-, and trauma-informed approaches.
