I Samuel Summary

The book of I Samuel covers a lot of ground, and includes some very familiar stories (including the story of David and Goliath, in Chapter 17). It begins with the birth of the prophet Samuel, and his rise to become the official prophet of Israel—taking over from Eli’s family, whom the LORD judges to be unfit to be Israel’s spiritual leaders. However, when Samuel is getting close to the age when he won’t be able to lead anymore, the people of Israel demand that he install a king, so that they can be like the other nations around them.

Samuel is not not happy with this request—the Israelites are not supposed to be like the other nations, they’re supposed to be set apart to the LORD and He is supposed to be their leader—but God tells Samuel to go ahead and submit to their request. God then appoints Saul to be the Israelites’ first king.

At first, Saul seems to be a good choice. However, it soon turns out that he is willing to take shortcuts and disobey the LORD when he deems it convenient, so God removes Saul as king, and sends Samuel to anoint David as Israel’s new king.

For those who don’t know the story, one might assume that David would then take over as king, but this is not what happens. Instead, although the LORD has removed His blessing from Saul, He leaves Saul as king for quite a number of years after. He even institutes David as Saul’s servant, where David plays music for Saul when Saul is having one of his mental episodes! Eventually, however, Saul becomes convinced that David is going to usurp his throne, even though David has never made a move to do so—in fact, David absolutely refuses to do so on numerous occasions, refusing to lift a hand against “the LORD’s anointed.”

Eventually, David has to go into hiding, because he fears for his life, what with Saul wanting to kill him. Once this happens, the rest of I Samuel seems like a downhill journey for Saul, as we simply wait for his kingship to be over, and an uphill journey for David, as we see him maturing during his time in hiding. The book ends with Saul’s death, but without David taking over in his stead; for that, we’ll have to wait for II Samuel.

I Samuel 1:1–20: The Birth of Samuel I Samuel 1:21–28: Hannah Dedicates Samuel I Samuel 2:1–11: Hannah’s Prayer I Samuel 2:12–26: Eli’s Wicked Sons I Samuel 2:27–36: Prophecy Against the House of Eli I Samuel 3: The LORD Calls Samuel—literally! I Samuel 4:1–11: The Philistines Capture the Ark I Samuel 4:12–22: Eli’s death, and repercussions of the loss of the Ark I Samuel 5: Possession of the Ark wreaks havoc on the Philistines I Samuel 6–7:1: The Ark is returned to the Israelites I Samuel 7:2–17: Samuel Subdues the Philistines at Mizpah I Samuel 8: Israel Asks for a King I Samuel 9–10:8: Saul is anointed as king I Samuel 10:9–27: Saul Made King I Samuel 11:1–11: Saul Rescues the City of Jabesh I Samuel 11:12–15: Saul’s kingship reaffirmed I Samuel 12: Samuel’s Farewell Speech I Samuel 13:1–15: Saul messes up I Samuel 13:16–22: Israel Without Weapons I Samuel 13:23–14:14: Jonathan Attacks the Philistines I Samuel 14:15–23: Israel Routes the Philistines I Samuel 14:24–48: Jonathan Eats Honey I Samuel 14:49–52: Saul’s Family I Samuel 15: The LORD Rejects Saul as King

I Samuel 16:1–13: Samuel Anoints David I Samuel 16:14–23: David in Saul’s Service I Samuel 17 and addendum: David and Goliath I Samuel 18: Saul’s Jealousy of David I Samuel 19: Saul Tries to Kill David I Samuel 20: David and Jonathan I Samuel 21:1–9: David at Nob I Samuel 21:10–15: David at Gath I Samuel 22:1–5: David develops a following I Samuel 22:6–23: Saul Kills the Priests of Nob I Samuel 23:1–6: David Saves Keilah I Samuel 23:7–29: Saul Pursues David I Samuel 24: David Spares Saul’s Life I Samuel 25: David, Nabal and Abigail I Samuel 26: David Again Spares Saul’s Life I Samuel 27: David Among the Philistines I Samuel 28: Saul and the Witch of Endor I Samuel 29: Achish Sends David Back to Ziklag I Samuel 30: David Destroys the Amalekites I Samuel 31: Saul Takes His Life