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Book 9 of 66 · Old Testament

1 Samuel

How Israel got its first kings — the last judge Samuel, the rise and fall of Saul, and the young David.

31 chapters810 versesWritten in HebrewSet Israel's move from judges to kings (c. 1100–1010 BC)

Overview

1 Samuel tells how Israel moved from judges to kings. It opens with the birth of Samuel, the last judge, who anoints Israel's first king, Saul, at the people's demand. When Saul disobeys, Samuel anoints the young shepherd David, who kills the giant Goliath and grows in favour — while a jealous Saul hunts him. It ends with Saul's death in battle.

Book facts

Author
Unknown; traditionally Samuel and othersThe book names no writer. Tradition credits Samuel with the early chapters and later hands with the rest.
Date written
c. 1000–900 BCThe events span roughly 1100–1010 BC; the writing is usually dated to the early monarchy or later.
Original language
HebrewHebrew narrative.
Setting
Israel's move from judges to kings (c. 1100–1010 BC)From the last judge, Samuel, to the first king, Saul, and the rise of David.

How it came to be

1 Samuel names no author. Jewish tradition credits Samuel himself with the early chapters, and later hands with the rest, since the book records his death.

1 and 2 Samuel were originally a single book, later split in two.

What is arguedHow it was composed and when. Most scholars see it as woven together from older sources about Samuel, Saul, and David.

The whole book, chapter by chapter

ChapterWhat happensWho is in itWhere it takes place
Samuel — the last judge, from his birth to Israel's rescue, chapters 1–7
Chapter 1Hannah's prayerThe childless Hannah prays for a son and vows to give him to God; Samuel is born., ,
Chapter 2Hannah's songHannah sings a song of praise, while the corrupt sons of Eli the priest abuse their office.,
Chapter 3The call of SamuelGod calls the boy Samuel in the night at the tabernacle.,
Chapter 4The ark capturedIsrael is defeated by the Philistines, who capture the ark; Eli dies at the news.—
Chapter 5The ark and DagonWherever the Philistines take the ark, their idol Dagon falls and plague follows.—, ,
Chapter 6The ark returnedThe Philistines send the ark back to Israel on a cart.——
Chapter 7EbenezerSamuel leads Israel to repentance and victory, and sets up a stone he calls Ebenezer.
Saul — Israel's first king, chosen and then rejected, chapters 8–15
Chapter 8The demand for a kingIsrael demands a king like the other nations; Samuel warns them what a king will cost.—
Chapter 9Saul and the donkeysSaul, searching for lost donkeys, comes to Samuel, who has been told to anoint him., —
Chapter 10Saul anointedSamuel anoints Saul and presents him to Israel as king.,
Chapter 11The relief of JabeshSaul rescues the town of Jabesh-gilead and is confirmed as king.—
Chapter 12Samuel's addressSamuel gives a farewell address, calling Israel to faithfulness.—
Chapter 13Saul's sacrificeSaul offers a sacrifice he should not have, and Samuel tells him his kingdom will not last., ,
Chapter 14Jonathan's raidSaul's son Jonathan boldly attacks a Philistine outpost, sparking a victory.,
Chapter 15Saul and the AmalekitesSaul spares the Amalekite king Agag against God's command, and Samuel declares him rejected as king., ,
Saul and David — the rise of David and the fall of Saul, chapters 16–31
Chapter 16David anointedSamuel secretly anoints the shepherd boy David; David enters Saul's service to play the harp., , ,
Chapter 17David and GoliathThe young David kills the giant Goliath with a sling and a stone., , —
Chapter 18David and JonathanDavid and Jonathan become close friends, and Saul grows jealous of David's fame., , , —
Chapter 19The escape from SaulSaul tries to kill David, who escapes with the help of Michal and Jonathan., , —
Chapter 20The arrowsJonathan warns David to flee, using arrows as a secret signal., —
Chapter 21The shewbreadDavid, fleeing, is given holy bread and Goliath's sword by the priest at Nob, then hides among the Philistines., ,
Chapter 22The priests of NobSaul, informed by Doeg, massacres the priests of Nob for helping David., ,
Chapter 23KeilahDavid rescues the town of Keilah, then keeps moving as Saul pursues him., —
Chapter 24The cave at EngediDavid spares Saul's life in a cave, cutting only a corner of his robe.,
Chapter 25AbigailThe wise Abigail stops David from taking revenge on her foolish husband Nabal; after Nabal dies, she becomes David's wife., ,
Chapter 26The spear and cruseDavid again spares Saul, taking only his spear and water jug as proof., , —
Chapter 27David at ZiklagDavid takes refuge among the Philistines and is given the town of Ziklag., ,
Chapter 28The witch of EndorSaul, desperate, consults a medium at Endor, who calls up Samuel to pronounce his doom., —
Chapter 29David sent backThe Philistine lords distrust David and send him back rather than let him fight., —
Chapter 30The raid on ZiklagDavid returns to find Ziklag raided and burned, and pursues the raiders to recover everyone taken.
Chapter 31The death of SaulSaul and his sons, including Jonathan, die in battle on Mount Gilboa., —

All 31 chapters. Start reading →

Worth knowing

Key people

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Key places

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Known for

Some of the book's best-known moments — tap the verse to read it.