1 SAMUEL 1

HANNAH PRAYERFULLY PLEADS GOD FOR A SON

A man named Elkanah has two wives, Peninnah and Hannah. Although Hannah cannot have children, Elkanah loves her more.

Out of jealousy, Peninnah provokes and irritates Hannah, mocking her for being childless. Elkanah reassures Hannah that their relationship is extremely valuable to him regardless of her ability to have children.

Hannah enters the temple passionately and prayerfully weeping, crying out to God to give her a son. She promises God that if she is able to have a son, she will give him back to God. Eli, one of the priests, sees Hannah and assumes she is drunk because of her great distress. Hannah assures Eli that she is not drunk, but that she is pouring out her soul before God.

Seeing Hannah’s fervor, Eli promises that God will provide her a son. When Hannah conceives a son, she names him Samuel and praised God for His provision.

1 SAMUEL 2

HANNAH PRAISES GOD, ELI INFLUENCES SAMUEL

Hannah praises God, exalting and honoring Him. Hannah recognizes that God is the giver of life and of all good things. Hannah acknowledges that God gives strength to His kings, referring to the king of Israel that the Israelites have been hoping for and alluding to the future reign of Jesus.

Eli has sons who are rebellious, wicked, and do not know God, unlike Samuel, who grew up in Eli's presence and learned to serve as a priest. Eli blesses Hannah and she has three more sons and two daughters. Samuel continues to grow up knowing God and serving people.

1 SAMUEL 3

ELI AIDS SAMUEL IN RESPONDING TO GOD’S VOICE 

God speaks to Samuel, but Samuel is confused and does not recognize God’s voice.

Eli helps prepare Samuel with how to respond, instructing him to say “Speak Lord, for your servant hears.” Samuel does as Eli instructs and God speaks to him.

God tells Samuel that he will punish Eli’s sons for blaspheming God. Samuel shares this somber news with Eli, and Eli responds with humility and trust, saying “It is the Lord, let Him do what seems good to Him.”

As Samuel grows up, God continues to establish him as a prophet among Israel.

1 SAMUEL 4

ISRAEL LOSES THE ARK OF THE COVENANT IN BATTLE

The Israelites battle their enemies, the Philistines, and are defeated. Desperate, the Israelites take the ark of the covenant, containing the stone tablets of the ten commandments, into battle with them. The holy seat, located upon the ark of the covenant, is representative of God’s presence among Israel.

Upon seeing the ark, the Philistines are confused and scared, but they continue to battle and ultimately defeat Israel. Because the Israelites used the ark of the covenant in a way that did not honor God, God allows the ark to be stolen from their possession. The very thing that set Israel apart as God’s people was taken from them.

Eli’s two sons, Phineas and Hophni die, just as God previously told Samuel.

The news of the loss of the ark is so devastating it causes two deaths: Eli falls backwards, breaks his neck, and dies, and the wife of Phineas goes into labor and dies. That is some majorly bad news!

1 SAMUEL 5

DAGON DESTROYED + THE PHILISTINES AFFLICTED

The Philistines do not worship God and instead worship a god called Dagon. After taking the ark of the covenant from the Israelites in battle they dishonor the ark by placing it within the shrine to Dagon.

After placing the ark in the house of Dagon, the Philistines see that Dagon had fallen face down, bowing before the ark of God. The following day, the Philistines see that the head and hands of Dagon have been cut off and removed. God is showing the Philistines that their “god” is powerless against Him. The Philistines are terrified by this and become afflicted with boils and tumors. The Philistines do not turn to God, but they do recognize Him as the source of their afflictions.

1 SAMUEL 6

THE PHILISTINES RETURN THE ARK OF THE COVENANT

After seven months, the Philistines return the ark of the covenant in efforts to end their affliction. They use an interesting strategy including two cows to send it back to the Israelites.

Some of the Israelites receive the ark of the covenant in a field and rejoice! They are so glad to have the ark of the covenant back in Israel, but immediately forget the laws surrounding the ark and are struck down.

1 SAMUEL 7

SAMUEL TRUSTS GOD + MEMORIALIZES HIS FAITHFULNESS

Samuel instructs the nation of Israel to put away false gods and turn their hearts to God. Together they gather at a place called Mizpah, repent of their sin, and fast.

Samuel reminds the Israelites to continually trust God for salvation from the Philistines. Samuel cries out to God on Israel’s behalf and offers a lamb as a sacrifice.

God listens to the cries of Israel, and they are able to defeat the Philistines. Samuel sets up a stone at Mizpah and calls it “Ebenezer” meaning “Thus far, God has helped us.” Samuel is intentional about remembering what God has done for them.

1 SAMUEL 8

THE ISRAELITES REJECT GOD AS KING OF ISRAEL

Samuel has two sons, Joel and Abijah, who he appoints as judges. Unfortunately, his sons do not follow in Samuel’s footsteps, but instead pervert justice and accept bribes.

Because Samuel’s sons are unfit to be judges, the people of Israel ask Samuel to appoint a king. When Samuel asks God for guidance, God instructs Samuel to obey the voice of the people. God tells Samuel that they have not rejected Samuel’s leadership, but have rejected God as their ultimate ruler.

Samuel warns the Israelites, telling them that if a king is appointed, he will steal from them and force them into hard labor. Despite this warning, Samuel follows God's instructions to give the Israelites a king.

Samuel prophecies that the Israelites will cry out to God, but He will not answer them because of their rejection of his kingship. Later on, Saul cries out to God, but God does not answer him because of his decisions. (1 Samuel 28)

1 SAMUEL 9

GOD TELLS SAMUEL THAT HE WILL MEET SAUL

God tells Samuel that he will meet a man from Benjamin, who Samuel will anoint as the king of Israel. The next day, Samuel meets Saul, who is in town looking for some lost donkeys. Upon meeting, Saul and Samuel share a meal together.

1 SAMUEL 10

SAUL ANOINTED KING OVER ISRAEL

Following God’s directions, Samuel anoints Saul as the king over Israel. The Spirit of God comes upon Saul and God gives him a new heart. After waiting seven days, Saul is proclaimed king of Israel, and the people are excited to receive their long-awaited king.

1 SAMUEL 11

SAUL’S FIRST VICTORY IN BATTLE

Saul defeats the Ammonites in battle and the Israelites renew his kingship in Gilgal, honoring him again as king of Israel.

1 SAMUEL 12

SAMUEL’S ADVICE TO THE ISRAELITES

As Samuel grows older and is nearing his death, he gives a farewell speech to Israel. Samuel reminds the Israelites of all that God has done for them, going over their history since Egypt.

Samuel tells the people to turn to God as their king and let Him reign over the Israelites. He tells them to fear the Lord and serve Him alone faithfully.

1 SAMUEL 13

SAMUEL PREDICTS A FUTURE KING WHO FOLLOWS GOD

Saul gathers an army and kills one of the Philistine leaders. Despite their victory, the Israelites are afraid of the Philistines' retaliation. The Israelites realize they are outnumbered and run away in fear.

Saul takes matters into his own hands and makes an unlawful sacrifice. Samuel tells Saul that he has made a huge mistake and that Saul should have waited for God’s instructions. God will no longer bless Saul as king. Samuel tells Saul that God is going to build up a replacement king, one who follows God and listens to His word.

The Philistines make sure that the Israelites cannot sharpen their swords and weapons, since there is not a single blacksmith to be found in Israel. Because of this, only Saul and his son Jonathan are armed.

1 SAMUEL 14

SAUL’S CURSE + JONATHAN’S CONFESSION

Saul’s son Jonathan defeats the Philistines with God’s provision. Jonathan trusts God, unlike Saul who relies on his own strength.

Saul makes a rash decision to curse any of the Israelites who ate while they are at war with the Philistines. Jonathan did not hear this vow his father made and ate some honey. When Jonathan is made aware of Saul’s curse, he does not understand why the Israelites would not be able to eat in battle. Once the other Israelites saw Jonathan eating, they began aggressively eating anything in sight. When they devoured the livestock, they broke the laws regarding not eating blood. Saul’s strange vow is not only unwise, but it also causes others to sin.

Saul asks God for wisdom, but God does not answer Saul. Jonathan confesses to eating the honey and Saul wants to kill him. Luckily, the Israelites stop that from happening. At this point, Saul has defeated all of his enemies, but does not listen to God’s instruction.

1 SAMUEL 15

GOD REMOVES SAUL FROM LEADERSHIP OVER ISRAEL 

Samuel told Saul to do as God had instructed and remove the Amalekites from Israel. From God’s instructions, no adult, child, man, woman, or even cattle should survive. The Israelites were instructed to rid Israel of Amalek long ago, but they had not listened. Saul prepares for battle, but gives warning to the Kenites, who had shown kindness to Israel.

Instead of fully following Samuel’s directions, Saul captures Agog the Amalekite king instead of killing him. Similarly, Saul saves the best of the Amalekite sheep and calves for himself instead of killing them. In his selfishness and pride, Saul builds a monument for himself. God is grieved by Saul’s kingship and desires better leadership for Israel.

Saul tells Samuel that he has completed God’s commands, but Samuel knows he is not telling the full truth. Samuel hears the sheep that Saul kept for himself. Samuel confronts Saul, but Saul makes excuses, saying the animals were for sacrifices and blames others for taking them. Samuel tells Saul that obedience is more valuable to God than anything else they could offer.

Because Saul rejects God’s wisdom, God rejects Saul as king of Israel. As Samuel turns away, Saul reaches to grab his robe and tears it. Samuel tells him that God has torn the kingdom of Israel from Saul and will give it over to a better, more faithful leader. Saul is devastated by this brutal reality.

Saul admits his sin and bows before God, showing remorse for what he has done. Meanwhile, Samuel finishes the work they set out to do and kills Agog the Amalekite king. Saul and Samuel never see each other again, but Samuel is grieved over Saul’s failure as king.

1 SAMUEL 16

SAMUEL APPOINTS DAVID AS THE FUTURE KING OF ISRAEL

Samuel is grieved over Saul’s failure and deeply desires a faithful leader for Israel. God instructs Samuel to visit Jesse, a man in Bethlehem. God plans to appoint one of Jesse’s sons to be the new king of Israel.

Samuel sees seven of Jesse’s sons, but knows that none of them are the one whom God has chosen. God tells Samuel to choose based on character, not outward appearance. Samuel asks to see Jesse’s youngest son, David, who was out watching the sheep. God instructs Samuel to choose David. Samuel appoints David as king, and God’s Spirit rushes upon him.

The spirit of the Lord departs from Saul and a harmful spirit comes to torment him. Saul requests a musician to come play and rid him of the harmful spirit. Saul’s servants suggest David, the humble shepherd and harp player. When David appears before Saul and plays his music, the harmful spirit departs from him. Because of his talents, David finds favor with Saul and becomes his armor-bearer. David is an armor-bearer, shepherd, musician, and future king!

1 Samuel 16:7 - But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.”

1 SAMUEL 17

DAVID TRUSTS GOD + BATTLES GOLIATH

While the Israelites are at war with the Philistines, a man named Goliath challenges the Israelites to a duel-style battle. Goliath is a giant warrior, towering over the others and weighing a great deal. If Goliath kills the Israelite warrior, the Israelites would be slaves to the Philistines, but if Goliath loses to the Israelite warrior, the Philistines would be slaves to the Israelites. This is a winner-takes-all, double-or-nothing style fight and the Israelites are terrified!

While the Israelites wait for someone to battle Goliath, Jesse asks David to bring some food to his seven brothers who are watching near the battlefield. While David is there, Goliath comes forward once again, challenging the Israelites to a one-on-one fight. David tells Saul that he is going to be the one to fight Goliath, but Saul tells David he is too young.

David assures Saul, remembering times he protected his sheep from lions and bears. David trusts that God would protect him in the same way he protects his sheep. David tries on some armor and a sword, but decides to go without. He chooses five smooth stones to put in his shepherd's bag with his sling. Not only is David much smaller than Goliath, he is unarmed.

When Goliath sees David, a young and armorless boy, he mocks him. David stands firm and says “although you come with a sword and a javelin, I come in the name of the Lord.” David knew the power of his God. And with just his sling and a stone, David defeats Goliath! After Goliath is knocked down by David’s stone, his head is cut off and kept as Israel’s trophy.

1 SAMUEL 18

DAVID CONTINUES TO RISE IN SUCCESS + POWER

Saul’s son, Jonathan, and David have a very close relationship. Jonathan loves David as his own soul and gave him his robe, armor, and sword. David is appointed over all the Israelite warriors and is successful wherever he goes.

Saul becomes jealous of the attention that David receives for his military success. In his rage, Saul throws spears at David, attempting to kill him. Despite Saul’s efforts to diminish David, God is with David, and he remains successful.

Saul’s daughter, Michal, loves David and wants to marry him. Saul requires David to kill one hundred Philistines before marrying Michal, attempting to have David killed in battle. Instead, David is successful and marries Michal. Saul becomes increasingly angry at David and jealous of his high esteem.

1 SAMUEL 19

SAUL’S MANY ATTEMPTS TO KILL DAVID

Saul tells his son Jonathan that he wants David killed. Because of their close friendship, Jonathan warns David to hide himself in secret. Jonathan defends David to Saul, attempting to convince him to spare David. Saul momentarily agrees, but quickly goes back on his promise. As David is playing music, Saul attempts to kill him with a spear.

Saul sent someone to kill David in the middle of the night, but Michal warns him and helps David escape out a window. Saul is relentlessly looking to kill David. After David sneaks away and escapes death once again, he seeks out Samuel to let him know what happened.

1 SAMUEL 20

JONATHAN REALIZES SAUL’S DETERMINATION

Knowing Saul’s every move, Jonathan tries to convince David that Saul would spare him. Jonathan promises his allegiance to David and wants to support him however possible.

When talking to Saul, Jonathan quickly realizes that he was mistaken. When Jonathan stands up to Saul, Saul wants to kill Jonathan, his own son! Jonathan becomes aware of Saul’s determination to kill David and warns David to flee.