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First and Second Samuel were originally one book called the Book of Samuel in the Hebrew Bible. The Greek Septuagint translation of the Old Testament (made ca. 250 B.C.) was the first to divide it into two books. The Septuagint translators titled these books 1 and 2 Kingdoms. That division has persisted ever since and has even been incorporated into subsequent editions of the Hebrew Bible (since A.D. 1517). The title "Samuel"was given by Jerome in his Latin translation, the Vulgate (ca. A.D. 400).
The Jews gave the name "Samuel"to it because Samuel is the first major character in the book. Samuel anointed both Saul and David, so in this respect he was superior to them both.
