1 Samuel

Hannah, barren and deeply distressed, prays fervently at the tabernacle in Shiloh for a son. She vows to dedicate him to God. God answers her prayer, and she gives birth to Samuel, whose name means heard by God.

Hannah offers a prophetic song of praise after dedicating Samuel to the Lord. Meanwhile, Eli's sons Hophni and Phinehas are corrupt priests who abuse their position. A prophet warns Eli that judgment is coming on his household.

God calls young Samuel in the night at Shiloh. After Eli helps him recognize God's voice, Samuel receives a sobering message of judgment against Eli's family. Samuel is established as a prophet throughout Israel.

Israel is defeated by the Philistines and foolishly brings the Ark of the Covenant into battle as a talisman. The Ark is captured, Hophni and Phinehas are killed, and Eli dies upon hearing the news. Phinehas's wife names her son Ichabod — the glory has departed.

The Philistines place the Ark in Dagon's temple, but Dagon's statue falls prostrate before it and breaks apart. God afflicts the Philistines with tumors and panic in every city where the Ark is taken.

The Philistines return the Ark to Israel on a new cart pulled by cows, along with guilt offerings of gold tumors and rats. The Ark arrives at Beth-shemesh, where God strikes men who look inside it.

Samuel calls Israel to repentance, and they put away their foreign gods. At Mizpah, God thunders against the Philistines and gives Israel victory. Samuel sets up a stone called Ebenezer, saying thus far the Lord has helped us.

Israel demands a king to be like other nations, rejecting God as their ruler. Samuel warns them about the ways of a king — taxation, conscription, and servitude — but the people insist, and God tells Samuel to grant their request.

Saul, a tall and handsome man from Benjamin, is searching for his father's lost donkeys when God directs him to Samuel. God reveals to Samuel that Saul is the one chosen to be Israel's first king.

Samuel anoints Saul as king privately, and the Spirit of God transforms him. Saul prophesies among the prophets, astonishing those who knew him. At Mizpah, Saul is publicly chosen by lot and presented to the people.

The Ammonite king Nahash threatens to gouge out the right eye of everyone in Jabesh-gilead. The Spirit of God comes upon Saul, and he rallies all Israel to a decisive victory, confirming his kingship.

Samuel delivers his farewell address as judge, challenging Israel to testify against his integrity. He recounts God's faithfulness, warns against disobedience, and calls thunder and rain as a sign. He promises to continue praying for them.

Saul makes a rash decision to offer sacrifices himself rather than wait for Samuel, violating God's command. Samuel declares that Saul's kingdom will not endure and that God has sought a man after His own heart.

Jonathan and his armor-bearer boldly attack a Philistine outpost, trusting that God can save by many or by few. God sends confusion among the Philistines. Saul's rash oath nearly costs Jonathan's life, but the people rescue him.

God commands Saul to completely destroy the Amalekites, but Saul spares King Agag and the best livestock. Samuel confronts Saul, declaring that obedience is better than sacrifice. God rejects Saul as king over Israel.

God sends Samuel to anoint David, the youngest son of Jesse, as the next king. God tells Samuel that He looks at the heart, not outward appearance. David is brought to Saul's court as a musician to soothe the king's troubled spirit.

The Philistine giant Goliath challenges Israel to single combat for 40 days. Young David, trusting in God rather than armor, kills Goliath with a sling and stone. Israel routs the Philistines in the ensuing battle.

Jonathan and David form a deep friendship covenant. David's military success makes him wildly popular, provoking Saul's jealousy. Saul attempts to kill David with a spear and schemes to have him killed by the Philistines through a dangerous bride-price.

Saul openly seeks to kill David. Jonathan warns David, and Michal helps him escape through a window. David flees to Samuel at Ramah, where God's Spirit prevents Saul's men and even Saul himself from capturing David.

Jonathan confirms Saul's intent to kill David through a secret arrow signal. The friends weep together and renew their covenant. Jonathan sends David away in peace, both knowing their separation may be permanent.

David flees to Nob where the priest Ahimelech gives him consecrated bread and Goliath's sword. David then escapes to the Philistine city of Gath, where he pretends to be insane before King Achish to avoid danger.

Saul massacres 85 priests at Nob for helping David, fulfilling the prophecy against Eli's house. Only Abiathar escapes and joins David. David gathers a band of 400 outcasts at the cave of Adullam.

David rescues the city of Keilah from the Philistines but learns through the ephod that the city would betray him to Saul. He flees to the wilderness of Ziph, where Jonathan visits him one final time to strengthen his faith in God.

David finds Saul vulnerable in a cave at En Gedi but refuses to kill the Lord's anointed, cutting only a corner of his robe. David confronts Saul from a distance, and Saul weeps, acknowledging David's righteousness.

David asks the wealthy Nabal for provisions, but Nabal insults him. David sets out to destroy Nabal's household, but Nabal's wise wife Abigail intercepts with gifts and a persuasive appeal. God strikes Nabal dead, and David marries Abigail.

David again spares Saul's life, this time taking his spear and water jug while he sleeps in camp. From a hilltop, David calls out to Saul and Abner, demonstrating his innocence. Saul admits his wrong and blesses David.

David, fearing Saul will eventually kill him, seeks refuge with the Philistine king Achish of Gath. He is given the town of Ziklag and raids various peoples while deceiving Achish about his targets.

Facing a massive Philistine army, Saul is terrified and gets no answer from God. In desperation, he visits the medium at Endor, who conjures Samuel's spirit. Samuel delivers a final message: Saul and his sons will die tomorrow.

The Philistine commanders refuse to let David march with them against Israel, fearing he will turn against them in battle. Achish reluctantly sends David back to Ziklag, providentially preventing David from fighting his own people.

David returns to Ziklag to find it burned and all the families taken captive by Amalekite raiders. Strengthening himself in the Lord, David pursues, recovers everything, and distributes spoil equally among those who fought and those who guarded supplies.

The Philistines defeat Israel at Mount Gilboa. Saul's sons, including Jonathan, are killed. Wounded by archers, Saul falls on his own sword rather than be captured. The men of Jabesh-gilead bravely recover and cremate the bodies.