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1 Samuel — Overview

Chapters

  1. Hannah’s Prayer; Samuel’s Birth and Dedication.
  2. Hannah’s Song; Eli’s Wicked Sons Rebuked.
  3. God Calls Samuel; Prophecy Against Eli’s House.
  4. Ark Captured by Philistines; Eli’s Death.
  5. Ark Brings Plagues Upon the Philistines.
  6. Ark Returned to Israel With Offerings.
  7. Samuel Judges Israel; Philistines Subdued.
  8. Israel Demands a King; Samuel’s Warning.
  9. Saul Chosen as Israel’s First King.
  10. Saul Anointed by Samuel; Publically Chosen King.
  11. Saul Defeats Ammonites; Confirmed as King.
  12. Samuel’s Farewell Speech and Warning to Israel.
  13. Saul’s Unlawful Sacrifice; Philistines Threaten Israel.
  14. Jonathan’s Victory; Saul’s Rash Oath.
  15. Saul’s Disobedience; Rejected as King by God.
  16. David Anointed as King; Serves Saul.
  17. David Defeats Goliath With God’s Help.
  18. David’s Success; Saul’s Jealousy Grows.
  19. Saul Tries to Kill David; David Flees.
  20. David and Jonathan’s Covenant of Friendship.
  21. David’s Flight to Nob; Eats Consecrated Bread.
  22. Saul Kills Priests at Nob; David Gathers Followers.
  23. David Saves Keilah; Saul Continues Pursuit.
  24. David Spares Saul in the Cave.
  25. David and Abigail; Nabal’s Death.
  26. David Spares Saul Again; Takes His Spear.
  27. David Flees to Philistia, Lives in Ziklag.
  28. Saul Consults the Witch of Endor.
  29. Philistines Reject David’s Participation in Battle.
  30. David Rescues Families From Amalekites.
  31. Saul and His Sons Die in Battle.

The First Book of Samuel Otherwise Called the First Book of the Kings

The Argument

IT is not certainly known who was the penman of this Book, or whether it was written by one or more hands; nor is it or any great importance; for since there are sufficient evidences that God was the chief author of it, it matters not who was the instrument. As when it appears that such a thing was really an act of parliament, or of the council-table, it is not considerable who was the clerk or which was the pen that wrote it. And this is the less material in such historical hooks, wherein there is but little which concerns the foundation of faith and good life, and therefore it was not necessary to name the writer of them. It may abundantly suffice that there were in these times divers prophets and holy men of God; as Samuel, and Nathan, and Gad, and David himself, who might each of them write some part of this and the following book. But if any man will out of perverseness doubt or deny that these wrote it, yet this I suppose no discreet and impartial man will deny, that it is wholly incredible that such books should be written in their times, and recommended to the church as a part of the Holy Scriptures, and so received by the succeeding generation, without their approbation, who had so great a power and authority in the church and commonwealth of Israel.