1 Samuel

Rise of Kings

The Book of 1 Samuel is the first book of the Books of Samuel in the Hebrew Bible and the Christian Old Testament. It tells the story of the transition of leadership in Israel from the judges, who were temporary leaders appointed by God, to a monarchy, with a king ruling over the people. The book begins with the story of Hannah, who prayed to God for a son and was blessed with the birth of Samuel. Samuel grows up to be a prophet and judge, and he anoints Saul as the first king of Israel. However, Saul disobeys God and is replaced by David, a young shepherd who becomes a great warrior and defeats the Philistine giant Goliath. Key figures in the book of 1 Samuel include Samuel, Hannah, Saul, and David. The book also mentions various other individuals, such as Eli, the high priest, and the prophets Nathan and Gad. The book also includes stories of various battles and conflicts, such as the Philistine wars and the struggle between Saul and David for the throne of Israel.

Commentary

31 chapters

Biblical figures

Key figures in 1 Samuel

God

Supreme Being

Israel

King

David

Prophet, King of Israel

Moses

Prophet, biblical judge

Judah

Tribal leader

Jerusalem

Capital

Egypt

Pharaoh

Dan

Judge

Saul

Prophet, King of Israel

Jacob

Prophet, Patriarchs

Levi

Priest

Aaron

High Priest of Israel

Philistine

Enemy

Pharaoh

Ben

Son of Jacob.

Joshua

Prophet

Jordan

Baptist

Ephraim

Tribe Leader

Benjamin

Son of Jacob.

Joab

Commander of David's army

Samuel

Prophet, biblical judge

Ammon

Servant

Jonathan

Prince

Gilead

Judge

Edom

Chief of Edom.

Gad

prophet

Joel

Prophet

Ram

Judge

Hebron

City

Eleazar

High Priest of Israel

Bethel

priest

Abner

Commander

Bethlehem

Town.

Jezreel

The position held by Jezreel was "a city in Israel."

Jesse

Father of King David

Rachel

Prophet

Shilo

Religious Leader

Caleb

Spy.

Ramah

Prophet.

Carmel

Prophet.

Shiloh

Leader.

Jephthah

Judge

Zeruiah

Sister of Abishai.

Abishai

Commander

Phinehas

High Priest of Israel

Abel

Shepherd

Eliab

Eliab's positionheld would be "brother of David."

Elkanah

Priest

Gaza

Ruler of Gaza

Keilah

Governor

Michal

Wife of David.

Abigail

Abigail held the position of wife of Nabal.

Elah

King of Israel

Shamma

Elder

Abinadab

Unknown.

Dagon

Philistine god of agriculture and fertility

Hannah

Prophet

Jerah

No positionheld information is available for the figure Jerah in the Bible.

Elihu

Prophet

Tabor

Judge

Shammah

Commander

Tarry

Position held: Judge.

Aijalon

Judge

Carmelite

Monastic.

Havilah

Region

Goliath

Champion of the Philistines

Abiah

Abiel

Ebenezer

Merab

Adriel

Ezel

Rachal

Shalisha

Abiathar

High Priest of Israel

Ahimaaz

High Priest of Israel

Ahimelech

High Priest of Israel

Ahitub

High Priest of Israel

Eli

High Priest of Israel, biblical judge

Ichabod

Priest

Moab

Chapters

Hannah's Prayer

1 Samuel 1

A barren woman named Hannah prays for a son and dedicates him to God's service when he is born. She gives birth to Samuel and raises him in the temple.

Hannah's Song of Praise

1 Samuel 2

Hannah sings a song of thanksgiving for God's blessing of a son, declaring that God lifts up the humble and brings down the proud.

The Lord Calls Samuel

1 Samuel 3

Samuel is called by God to be a prophet while he is serving in the temple. He initially mistakes God's voice for the voice of the priest Eli.

Israel Defeated by the Philistines

1 Samuel 4

The Israelites are defeated in battle against the Philistines, and the Ark of the Covenant is captured. This leads to a period of fear and repentance among the people.

The Ark in Philistine Hands

1 Samuel 5

The Philistines experience various plagues and misfortunes after capturing the Ark, so they return it to the Israelites.

The Ark Returns to Israel

1 Samuel 6

The Ark is returned to the Israelites, and a sacrifice is made in gratitude.

Samuel Leads Israel

1 Samuel 7

Samuel leads the Israelites in a period of victory and prosperity. He judges the people justly and serves as a mediator between God and the people.

The People Demand a King

1 Samuel 8

The people of Israel demand a king, even though God has been their king through the judges and prophets. Samuel warns them of the dangers of having a human king, but they persist in their demand.

Saul Chosen as King

1 Samuel 9

Saul is chosen by God to be the first king of Israel, and he is anointed by Samuel.

Saul's Reign Begins

1 Samuel 10

Saul's reign as king begins, and he experiences military victories and the affirmation of the people.

Saul's Disobedience and Rejection

1 Samuel 11

Saul disobeys God's commands, leading to his rejection as king. Samuel anoints David as the next king.

David Anointed King

1 Samuel 12

David is anointed as the next king of Israel by Samuel.

Saul's Jealousy of David

1 Samuel 13

Saul becomes jealous of David's military victories and popularity, leading to a period of conflict between the two.

Jonathan and David's Friendship

1 Samuel 14

David and Jonathan, Saul's son, form a close friendship despite Saul's attempts to harm David.

Saul Disobeys God Again

1 Samuel 15

Saul disobeys God's commands and is rejected as king for a second time.

David Anointed King Again

1 Samuel 16

David is anointed as the next king of Israel for a second time by Samuel.

David and Goliath

1 Samuel 17

David defeats the giant Philistine warrior Goliath, establishing himself as a great military leader.

David's Success and Saul's Jealousy

1 Samuel 18

David continues to have success as a military leader, and Saul's jealousy intensifies.

Michal Helps David Escape

1 Samuel 19

Saul tries to kill David, who flees and becomes a fugitive.

Jonathan Warns David

1 Samuel 20

David and Jonathan renew their friendship and make a covenant with each other.

David Escapes to Nob

1 Samuel 21

David escapes to the city of Nob, where he receives help from the priests.

Saul's Bloody Vengeance

1 Samuel 22

David lives in the wilderness and attracts a band of followers as he evades Saul's attempts to capture him.

David Rescues Keilah

1 Samuel 23

David rescues the city of Keilah from a Philistine invasion.

Saul and David at Cave of Adullam

1 Samuel 24

Saul and David encounter each other at the Cave of Adullam, but David spares Saul's life.

Death of Samuel

1 Samuel 25

Samuel dies, and David mourns his loss.

David Spares Saul Again

1 Samuel 26

David encounters Saul again and spares his life for a second time.

David Joins the Philistines

1 Samuel 27

David joins forces with the Philistines, but is met with suspicion by their leaders.

Saul Consult with a Medium

1 Samuel 28

Saul consults with a medium to speak to the dead Samuel, who prophesies Saul's impending defeat and death.

David Rejected by the Philistines

1 Samuel 29

The Philistines reject David as an ally and send him back to the Israelites.

David's Victory Over the Amalekites

1 Samuel 30

David leads his men in a victorious battle against the Amalekites, rescuing their families and possessions.

Saul's Death on Mount Gilboa

1 Samuel 31

Saul and Jonathan die in battle against the Philistines. David mourns their loss and sings a lament for them.