1 Samuel

Lore & Background

The passages depict Samuel as a prophet and judge who anoints Saul as king (1 Samuel 15:1) and later fears Saul's wrath when sent to anoint David (1 Samuel 16:2). Samuel gathers Israel at Mizpeh to pray (1 Samuel 7:5) and judges from Ramah, where he builds an altar (1 Samuel 7:17). After Samuel's death, Saul consults a medium to summon Samuel's spirit, who rebukes him (1 Samuel 28:15). Saul is introduced as a handsome, tall young man (1 Samuel 9:2) who prophesies among prophets (1 Samuel 10:11) and leads Israel against Philistines (1 Samuel 13:4). However, he disobeys God, leading Samuel to declare his rejection (1 Samuel 15:13, 15:25). The Spirit of the Lord departs from Saul, and an evil spirit troubles him (1 Samuel 16:14). Saul becomes David's enemy, seeking to kill him (1 Samuel 18:29, 19:11). David first appears as a shepherd returning from Saul to feed his father's sheep (1 Samuel 17:15). He kills Goliath with the Philistine's own sword (1 Samuel 17:51) and behaves wisely in Saul's service (1 Samuel 18:5). David gathers a band of distressed and discontented men (1 Samuel 22:2), spares Saul's life in a cave (1 Samuel 24:10), and later dwells with the Philistine king Achish at Gath (1 Samuel 27:3).

Reader's Guide

The sampled passages portray 1 Samuel as a narrative of shifting leadership and divine favor. The book opens with a family story (Elkanah and Hannah) that leads to Samuel's birth and dedication (1 Samuel 1:1, 1:13, 1:25). Samuel's role as a prophet is established when God reveals himself to him at Shiloh (1 Samuel 3:21). The ark's capture by Philistines (1 Samuel 5:2) and its return (1 Samuel 6:2, 6:14) show God's power over foreign gods. Samuel's leadership as judge is seen in his gathering Israel at Mizpeh (1 Samuel 7:5) and his circuit from Ramah (1 Samuel 7:17). The people's demand for a king is implied in Samuel's warning about a king's exactions (1 Samuel 8:12) and his call for thunder and rain to show their wickedness (1 Samuel 12:17). Saul's reign begins with military success (1 Samuel 13:4) but deteriorates due to disobedience (1 Samuel 15:13) and divine rejection (1 Samuel 16:14). David's rise is marked by his victory over Goliath (1 Samuel 17:51), his popularity (1 Samuel 18:5), and Saul's growing fear and enmity (1 Samuel 18:29). The narrative includes David's flight, his sparing of Saul (1 Samuel 24:10), and his alliance with Philistines (1 Samuel 27:3). The book ends with Samuel's death (1 Samuel 28:3) and Saul's desperate consultation of his ghost (1 Samuel 28:15).

Did You Know?

• Hannah prayed silently, moving only her lips, leading Eli to think she was drunk (1 Samuel 1:13).
• Saul was taller than any other Israelite, from his shoulders upward (1 Samuel 9:2, 10:23).
• David refused to kill Saul because Saul was 'the LORD's anointed' (1 Samuel 24:10).
• After Samuel died, Saul consulted a medium to bring him up from the dead (1 Samuel 28:15).