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.
1 Samuel - Rise of Kings
1 Samuel - Rise of Kings
1050-1000 BCE68 min31 chapters

1 Samuel

Rise of Kings

The book of 1 Samuel is the first book of the Former Prophets in the Hebrew Bible. It tells the story of the prophet Samuel, who is chosen by God to anoint the first king of Israel, Saul. The book also recounts the rise of David, who eventually becomes king of Israel. The book begins with the birth of Samuel, who is born to a woman named Hannah. Hannah is barren and has been unable to conceive a child. She makes a vow to God that if she is able to conceive, she will dedicate the child to God's service. God grants her request and she gives birth to Samuel. The book then recounts the story of Samuel's rise to prominence as a prophet. He is chosen by God to anoint Saul as the first king of Israel. Saul is a successful military leader, but he eventually fails to obey God's commands and is rejected by God. The book then focuses on the rise of David, who is anointed by Samuel as the next king of Israel. David is a successful military leader and defeats the Philistines in battle. He also defeats the giant Goliath and is praised by the people of Israel. The book ends with the death of Saul and the ascension of David as king of Israel. The book of 1 Samuel is an important part of the Bible, as it recounts the rise of the first king of Israel and the establishment of the monarchy. It also serves as a reminder of the importance of obedience to God's commands.

Biblical figures

Key figures that appear in 1 Samuel.

G

God

Supreme Being

I

Israel

King

D

David

Prophet, King of Israel

M

Moses

Prophet, biblical judge

J

Judah

Tribal leader

J

Jerusalem

Capital

E

Egypt

Pharaoh

D

Dan

Judge

S

Saul

Prophet, King of Israel

J

Jacob

Prophet, Patriarchs

L

Levi

Priest

A

Aaron

High Priest of Israel

P

Philistine

Enemy

P

Pharaoh

Pharaoh

B

Ben

Son of Jacob.

J

Joshua

Prophet

J

Jordan

Baptist

E

Ephraim

Tribe Leader

B

Benjamin

Son of Jacob.

J

Joab

Commander of David's army

S

Samuel

Prophet, biblical judge

A

Ammon

Servant

J

Jonathan

Prince

G

Gilead

Judge

E

Edom

Chief of Edom.

G

Gad

prophet

J

Joel

Prophet

R

Ram

Judge

H

Hebron

City

E

Eleazar

High Priest of Israel

B

Bethel

priest

A

Abner

Commander

B

Bethlehem

Town.

J

Jezreel

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

J

Jesse

Father of King David

R

Rachel

Prophet

S

Shilo

Religious Leader

C

Caleb

Spy.

R

Ramah

Prophet.

C

Carmel

Prophet.

S

Shiloh

Leader.

J

Jephthah

Judge

Z

Zeruiah

Sister of Abishai.

A

Abishai

Commander

P

Phinehas

High Priest of Israel

A

Abel

Shepherd

E

Eliab

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

E

Elkanah

Priest

G

Gaza

Ruler of Gaza

K

Keilah

Governor

M

Michal

Wife of David.

A

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

G

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

Explore all the chapters of 1 Samuel.

28 verses3 min

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.

36 verses4 min

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.

21 verses2 min

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.

22 verses2 min

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.

12 verses2 min

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.

21 verses2 min

The Ark Returns to Israel

1 Samuel 6

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

17 verses2 min

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.

22 verses2 min

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.

27 verses3 min

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.

27 verses3 min

Saul's Reign Begins

1 Samuel 10

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

15 verses2 min

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.

25 verses3 min

David Anointed King

1 Samuel 12

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

23 verses2 min

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.

52 verses5 min

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.

35 verses3 min

Saul Disobeys God Again

1 Samuel 15

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

23 verses2 min

David Anointed King Again

1 Samuel 16

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

58 verses5 min

David and Goliath

1 Samuel 17

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

30 verses3 min

David's Success and Saul's Jealousy

1 Samuel 18

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

24 verses3 min

Michal Helps David Escape

1 Samuel 19

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

42 verses4 min

Jonathan Warns David

1 Samuel 20

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

15 verses2 min

David Escapes to Nob

1 Samuel 21

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

23 verses2 min

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.

29 verses3 min

David Rescues Keilah

1 Samuel 23

David rescues the city of Keilah from a Philistine invasion.

22 verses2 min

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.

44 verses4 min

Death of Samuel

1 Samuel 25

Samuel dies, and David mourns his loss.

25 verses3 min

David Spares Saul Again

1 Samuel 26

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

12 verses2 min

David Joins the Philistines

1 Samuel 27

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

25 verses3 min

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.

11 verses1 min

David Rejected by the Philistines

1 Samuel 29

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

31 verses3 min

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.

13 verses2 min

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.