It is first quoted byRashi, who calls it by several names: "Midrash Shmuel",[1] "Aggadat Midrash Shmuel",[2] "Aggadah deShmuel",[3] and "Midrash 'Et la-'Asot la-Adonai"[4] - the last name probably derived fromPsalms 119:126, with which the midrash begins. It is also called "Aggadat Shmu'el".[5] The name "Shocher Tov" has been erroneously given to it,[6] the error is because in the Venice edition of 1546 the midrash was printed together withMidrash Tehillim, whose title "Shocher Tov" was taken to refer to both works.
The midrash is divided into 32 chapters. Chapters 1-24 coverI Samuel, and chapters 25-32 coverII Samuel.
The midrash containsaggadic interpretations and homilies on thebooks of Samuel, each homily being prefaced and introduced by a verse taken from some other book of the Bible. It resembles most of the otheraggadic midrashim in diction and in style; in fact, it is a collection of teachings found in such midrashim and referring to the books of Samuel. The editor arranged the teachings in the sequence of the Scripture passages to which they refer. The midrash, however, does not entirely cover the Biblical books; but as it contains all the passages quoted from it by other authorities, it may be assumed that (with two exceptions added by later copyists: chapter 4:1[7] and chapter 32:3 et seq.[8]) it never contained any more than it does now, and that its present form is that into which it was cast by its compiler.
A manuscript of this midrash is in the Parma Library.[12] The first printed edition appeared atConstantinople in 1517.[13][14] In 1546 it was printed again inVenice, and subsequently at various places and times. An 1893 edition was produced by Solomon Buber, with introduction and notes (Cracow). In 2009 theSchechter Institute of Jewish Studies inJerusalem published a new critical edition inHebrew, "based on the first edition with a thorough historical introduction, variant readings and a scientific commentary."[15]