1
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.
Read chapter 1
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
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.
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
P
Philistine
Enemy
Pharaoh
Pharaoh
Ben
Son of Jacob.
Joshua
Prophet
J
Jordan
Baptist
Ephraim
Tribe Leader
Benjamin
Son of Jacob.
J
Joab
Commander of David's army
Samuel
Prophet, biblical judge
A
Ammon
Servant
Jonathan
Prince
G
Gilead
Judge
E
Edom
Chief of Edom.
G
Gad
prophet
J
Joel
Prophet
R
Ram
Judge
H
Hebron
City
Eleazar
High Priest of Israel
B
Bethel
priest
Abner
Commander
B
Bethlehem
Town.
J
Jezreel
The position held by Jezreel was "a city in Israel."
J
Jesse
Father of King David
Rachel
Prophet
S
Shilo
Religious Leader
Caleb
Spy.
R
Ramah
Prophet.
C
Carmel
Prophet.
S
Shiloh
Leader.
Jephthah
Judge
Z
Zeruiah
Sister of Abishai.
A
Abishai
Commander
P
Phinehas
High Priest of Israel
Abel
Shepherd
E
Eliab
Eliab's positionheld would be "brother of David."
Elkanah
Priest
G
Gaza
Ruler of Gaza
K
Keilah
Governor
M
Michal
Wife of David.
Abigail
Abigail held the position of wife of Nabal.
E
Elah
King of Israel
S
Shamma
Elder
A
Abinadab
Unknown.
D
Dagon
Philistine god of agriculture and fertility
H
Hannah
Prophet
J
Jerah
No positionheld information is available for the figure Jerah in the Bible.
E
Elihu
Prophet
T
Tabor
Judge
S
Shammah
Commander
T
Tarry
Position held: Judge.
A
Aijalon
Judge
C
Carmelite
Monastic.
H
Havilah
Region
Goliath
Champion of the Philistines
A
Abiah
A
Abiel
E
Ebenezer
M
Merab
A
Adriel
E
Ezel
R
Rachal
S
Shalisha
A
Abiathar
High Priest of Israel
A
Ahimaaz
High Priest of Israel
A
Ahimelech
High Priest of Israel
A
Ahitub
High Priest of Israel
E
Eli
High Priest of Israel, biblical judge
I
Ichabod
Priest
M
Moab
Chapters
Chapters
2
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.
Read chapter 2
3
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.
Read chapter 3
4
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.
Read chapter 4
5
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.
Read chapter 5
6
The Ark Returns to Israel
1 Samuel 6
The Ark is returned to the Israelites, and a sacrifice is made in gratitude.
Read chapter 6
7
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.
Read chapter 7
8
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.
Read chapter 8
9
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.
Read chapter 9
10
Saul's Reign Begins
1 Samuel 10
Saul's reign as king begins, and he experiences military victories and the affirmation of the people.
Read chapter 10
11
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.
Read chapter 11
12
David Anointed King
1 Samuel 12
David is anointed as the next king of Israel by Samuel.
Read chapter 12
13
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.
Read chapter 13
14
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.
Read chapter 14
15
Saul Disobeys God Again
1 Samuel 15
Saul disobeys God's commands and is rejected as king for a second time.
Read chapter 15
16
David Anointed King Again
1 Samuel 16
David is anointed as the next king of Israel for a second time by Samuel.
Read chapter 16
17
David and Goliath
1 Samuel 17
David defeats the giant Philistine warrior Goliath, establishing himself as a great military leader.
Read chapter 17
18
David's Success and Saul's Jealousy
1 Samuel 18
David continues to have success as a military leader, and Saul's jealousy intensifies.
Read chapter 18
19
Michal Helps David Escape
1 Samuel 19
Saul tries to kill David, who flees and becomes a fugitive.
Read chapter 19
20
Jonathan Warns David
1 Samuel 20
David and Jonathan renew their friendship and make a covenant with each other.
Read chapter 20
21
David Escapes to Nob
1 Samuel 21
David escapes to the city of Nob, where he receives help from the priests.
Read chapter 21
22
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.
Read chapter 22
23
David Rescues Keilah
1 Samuel 23
David rescues the city of Keilah from a Philistine invasion.
Read chapter 23
24
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.
Read chapter 24
25
Death of Samuel
1 Samuel 25
Samuel dies, and David mourns his loss.
Read chapter 25
26
David Spares Saul Again
1 Samuel 26
David encounters Saul again and spares his life for a second time.
Read chapter 26
27
David Joins the Philistines
1 Samuel 27
David joins forces with the Philistines, but is met with suspicion by their leaders.
Read chapter 27
28
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.
Read chapter 28
29
David Rejected by the Philistines
1 Samuel 29
The Philistines reject David as an ally and send him back to the Israelites.
Read chapter 29
30
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.
Read chapter 30
31
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.
Read chapter 31