Book 9 of 66 · Old Testament

1 Samuel

From the last judge to the first king: Samuel, Saul, and the rise of David

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1 Samuel - illustrated Bible scene
90Questions
31 chapters · Old Testament
The book in brief

1 Samuel at a glance

From the last judge to the first king: Samuel, Saul, and the rise of David

Chapters31
TestamentOld Testament
Questions90 · 3 quizzes

1 Samuel records Israel's pivotal transition from the era of the judges to the monarchy. Jewish tradition names Samuel as author of the early chapters, with the prophets Nathan and Gad completing the record. The book opens with Hannah's prayer for a child and the birth of Samuel, who grows up serving in the tabernacle at Shiloh under Eli the priest and becomes Israel's last judge and a great prophet. When the people demand a king 'like all the nations,' God grants their request while warning of its cost.

Samuel anoints Saul, a tall Benjamite, as Israel's first king. Saul begins well but disobeys God's commands, and the kingdom is torn from him. Samuel secretly anoints David, the shepherd boy of Bethlehem, who slays the giant Goliath with a sling and stone and wins the people's love. Consumed by jealousy, Saul hunts David through the wilderness for years, while David twice spares Saul's life. The book closes with Saul and Jonathan falling in battle against the Philistines on Mount Gilboa.

1 Samuel matters because it shows that God looks on the heart, not the outward appearance, and that obedience is better than sacrifice. In the contrast between Saul and David, it teaches what kind of leader God honors, and it sets the stage for the covenant kingdom that points ahead to the Messiah.

Obedience over sacrificeGod looks on the heartThe rise of the monarchyJealousy and its ruin
Verse to remember

And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.

1 Samuel 15:22 King James Version

Structure & cast

Explore 1 Samuel

How 1 Samuel unfolds

7 sections
  • 1
    Samuel's birth and call (ch. 1-3)Hannah prays for a son and dedicates Samuel to the LORD. As a boy at Shiloh, Samuel hears God's call in the night, and judgment is pronounced on Eli's corrupt house.
  • 2
    The ark and Samuel's judgeship (ch. 4-7)The Philistines capture the ark of God, but it brings plagues on their cities and returns to Israel. Samuel leads national repentance and victory at Mizpeh, raising the stone Ebenezer.
  • 3
    Israel demands a king; Saul anointed (ch. 8-12)The people reject Samuel's sons and ask for a king. Samuel warns them, then anoints Saul, who is publicly chosen and confirmed after delivering Jabesh-gilead.
  • 4
    Saul's disobedience and rejection (ch. 13-15)Saul offers an unlawful sacrifice and later spares King Agag and the best of Amalek's flocks. Samuel declares that to obey is better than sacrifice, and the kingdom is rent from Saul.
  • 5
    David's rise: anointing and Goliath (ch. 16-17)Samuel anoints David, Jesse's youngest son, and the Spirit of the LORD comes upon him. David fells Goliath of Gath with a sling and stone in the valley of Elah.
  • 6
    Saul's jealousy and David the fugitive (ch. 18-26)Jonathan's covenant friendship shields David as Saul's envy turns murderous. David flees, gathers followers, and twice spares Saul's life, at the cave in Engedi and in the camp at Ziph.
  • 7
    The end of Saul (ch. 27-31)David takes refuge among the Philistines at Ziklag. Saul consults the medium at Endor, and he and his sons, including Jonathan, die in battle on Mount Gilboa.

People to know

6 figures
  • SamuelIsrael's last judge and a great prophet, who anoints both Saul and David as king.
  • SaulIsrael's first king, whose disobedience and jealousy end in rejection and death on Mount Gilboa.
  • DavidShepherd of Bethlehem anointed king in Saul's place, who slays Goliath and endures years as a fugitive.
  • HannahSamuel's mother, whose prayer for a child and song of thanksgiving open the book.
  • JonathanSaul's son and David's covenant friend, who protects David at the risk of his own claim to the throne.
  • GoliathThe Philistine champion of Gath whom young David defeats with a sling and a stone.
Verses to remember

Words worth carrying with you

And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.

1 Samuel 15:22 · KJV

But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.

1 Samuel 16:7 · KJV

Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied.

1 Samuel 17:45 · KJV
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Bible Quiz: 1 Samuel - The Rise of David | 30 Questions

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