1 Samuel

Elkanah, a man from Ramathaimzophim, had two wives, Hannah and Peninnah. Hannah was childless, while Peninnah had children, and was often provoked by her. Hannah prayed to the Lord for a child, vowing to dedicate him to the Lord's service if her prayer was answered. Eli, the priest, initially mistook her for being drunk but later blessed her and told her to go in peace. The Lord remembered Hannah, and she bore a son named Samuel, whom she later presented to the Lord at the temple in Shiloh, dedicating him to the Lord's service.

Hannah prays, rejoicing in the Lord's salvation and acknowledging His power to exalt and humble. She notes that the Lord kills and makes alive, brings low and lifts up, and will keep the feet of His saints. The sons of Eli, the priest, are corrupt and do not know the Lord, taking the best parts of the sacrifices for themselves. In contrast, Samuel ministers before the Lord as a child. Eli's sons also sleep with the women who come to the tabernacle, and Eli rebukes them, but they do not listen. A man of God comes to Eli and pronounces judgment on his house for their corruption, saying that the Lord will cut off Eli's family and raise up a faithful priest in their place.

The Lord called Samuel three times while he was sleeping in the temple, but Samuel thought it was Eli calling him. Eli eventually realized it was the Lord and instructed Samuel to respond by saying "Speak, for your servant hears." When the Lord called again, Samuel responded as instructed, and the Lord revealed to him that He would judge Eli's house for the iniquity of his sons, which Eli had failed to restrain. Samuel was reluctant to share the vision with Eli, but eventually told him everything, and Eli accepted the Lord's judgment.

The Israelites were defeated by the Philistines in battle, suffering 4,000 casualties. In response, they brought the ark of the covenant from Shiloh, hoping it would save them, but the Philistines were undaunted and defeated the Israelites again, killing 30,000 footmen and capturing the ark. The two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were also killed. Eli, upon hearing the news, fell and died, and his daughter-in-law, Phinehas' wife, gave birth to a son, whom she named Ichabod, meaning "the glory is departed from Israel."

The Philistines took the ark of God and placed it in the house of Dagon, but the idol Dagon fell before the ark, and its head and hands were later cut off. The Lord afflicted the people of Ashdod with emerods, and they decided to move the ark to Gath, but the Lord also afflicted the people of Gath. The ark was then sent to Ekron, where the people feared it would bring destruction, and they demanded that the Philistine lords return the ark to its own place.

The Philistines, after having the ark of the Lord for seven months, consulted with priests and diviners on how to return it to its place. They were advised to send it back with a trespass offering of five golden emerods and five golden mice, representing the five lords of the Philistines. The Philistines placed the ark on a new cart with the offerings and sent it away, and the cart went straight to Bethshemesh, confirming that the Lord was responsible for the plagues. However, the men of Bethshemesh were smitten by the Lord for looking into the ark, resulting in the deaths of 50,070 men.

The ark of the Lord remained in Kirjathjearim for 20 years, during which time the Israelites lamented and eventually turned back to the Lord under Samuel's guidance. The Israelites put away their idols and gathered at Mizpeh, where they fasted and confessed their sins, and Samuel offered a burnt offering to the Lord. The Lord answered Samuel's prayer, thundering against the Philistines and allowing the Israelites to defeat them, and Samuel set up a stone monument called Ebenezer to commemorate the Lord's help. The Philistines were subdued, and the cities they had taken from Israel were restored, with Samuel judging Israel for the rest of his life.

The Israelites, dissatisfied with Samuel's sons as judges, asked Samuel to appoint a king to rule over them like other nations. Samuel was displeased, but God told him to grant their request, explaining that the people were rejecting God's rule, not Samuel's. Samuel warned the people about the consequences of having a king, including heavy taxation, loss of freedom, and exploitation. Despite the warning, the people insisted on having a king, and God instructed Samuel to grant their request.

Kish, a Benjamite, had a son named Saul who was a tall and handsome young man. When Kish's donkeys went missing, he sent Saul and a servant to find them. After searching several areas, they decided to visit a man of God in a nearby city, who was actually Samuel. Samuel had been told by God the day before that he would meet a man from Benjamin who would be anointed as captain over Israel. When Saul met Samuel, Samuel revealed that he was the seer and invited Saul to eat with him, and the next day he would tell him what was in his heart.

Samuel anointed Saul as captain over Israel's inheritance, and Saul was given several signs to confirm his anointing, including meeting prophets and prophesying among them. After the signs came to pass, Saul was chosen as king by lot, and the people shouted in approval. Samuel then explained the manner of the kingdom and wrote it in a book, before sending the people away. However, not everyone was pleased with Saul's selection, and some despised him, refusing to bring him gifts.

Nahash the Ammonite besieged Jabesh-gilead, offering to spare the city if its inhabitants agreed to have their right eyes gouged out. The people of Jabesh asked for a seven-day reprieve to seek help from the rest of Israel. Saul, upon hearing the news, was filled with the Spirit of God and rallied the Israelites to come to Jabesh's aid, threatening to slaughter the oxen of anyone who refused to join him. The Israelites, numbering 330,000, defeated the Ammonites, and Saul's victory led to his recognition as king by the people, who then formally made him king at Gilgal.

Samuel defends his integrity before the people, stating he has not taken anything from them and the Lord is witness to his innocence. He then reminds the people of the Lord's past deliverances and righteous acts, including the Exodus from Egypt and the victories over their enemies. Samuel warns the people that if they fear the Lord and obey His voice, they and their king will continue to follow the Lord, but if they rebel, the Lord's hand will be against them. The Lord sends thunder and rain as a sign of His displeasure at the people's request for a king, and Samuel encourages the people to fear the Lord and serve Him with all their heart.

Saul chose 3,000 men to fight the Philistines, with 2,000 under his command and 1,000 under Jonathan's. Jonathan attacked a Philistine garrison, prompting the Philistines to gather a large army against Israel. Saul, fearing the Philistines and Samuel's delayed arrival, offered a burnt offering himself, which Samuel condemned as disobedience to God's command. As a result, Samuel declared that Saul's kingdom would not continue, and God would seek another leader.

Jonathan, the son of Saul, and his armor bearer, attacked a Philistine garrison, killing about 20 men, which caused a great trembling among the Philistines. Saul, unaware of Jonathan's actions, gathered his men and prepared for battle, but the Philistines were already in disarray. The Israelites pursued and defeated the Philistines, but Saul had previously sworn an oath that no one would eat until the Philistines were defeated, which led to the people being faint and weak. Jonathan, who had not heard about the oath, ate some honey and was refreshed, but later learned about the oath and was sentenced to death by Saul for breaking it. However, the people intervened and rescued Jonathan, refusing to let him die.

The Lord instructed Samuel to tell Saul to destroy the Amalekites, but Saul disobeyed and spared the king, Agag, and the best livestock. When Samuel confronted Saul, he claimed to have obeyed the Lord, but Samuel pointed out the bleating sheep and lowing oxen, revealing Saul's disobedience. Samuel told Saul that the Lord had rejected him as king because of his rebellion, and Saul acknowledged his sin, but it was too late. Samuel then executed Agag and the Lord rejected Saul as king, giving the kingdom to a neighbor who was better than him.

The Lord instructed Samuel to anoint a new king from among Jesse's sons, as He had rejected Saul. Samuel went to Bethlehem, where Jesse presented seven of his sons, but the Lord rejected each of them, saying He looks on the heart, not outward appearance. The youngest son, David, was then brought before Samuel and anointed as the new king, with the Spirit of the Lord coming upon him. Meanwhile, an evil spirit troubled Saul, and his servants suggested finding a skilled harp player to soothe him, leading to David being summoned to play for Saul and eventually becoming his armorbearer.

The Philistines gathered to battle the Israelites, led by a giant named Goliath who taunted the Israelites, offering to settle the battle with a one-on-one fight. David, a young shepherd and son of Jesse, heard Goliath's challenge and offered to fight him, despite his brother Eliab's and King Saul's doubts. David convinced Saul to let him fight, citing his experience killing a lion and a bear while protecting his father's sheep. David refused to wear Saul's armor and instead used his sling and five smooth stones to face Goliath, trusting in God to deliver him. David killed Goliath with a stone to the forehead, then beheaded him with Goliath's own sword, leading the Israelites to victory over the Philistines.

Jonathan and David formed a close bond and made a covenant, with Jonathan giving David his robe and armor. David became a successful military leader under Saul, but Saul grew jealous of David's popularity, especially after the women praised David for killing ten thousands of Philistines. Saul attempted to kill David with a javelin, but David avoided him twice. Saul then offered David his daughter Merab in marriage, but instead gave her to another man, and later offered his daughter Michal to David, hoping the Philistines would kill him. However, David successfully brought back 200 Philistine foreskins as a dowry and married Michal, further increasing Saul's fear and hostility towards him.

Saul ordered his son Jonathan and servants to kill David, but Jonathan warned David and spoke in his defense to Saul, who swore not to harm him. However, Saul's intentions changed when an evil spirit from the Lord came upon him, and he attempted to kill David with a javelin, but David escaped. David's wife Michal helped him flee by letting him down through a window and deceiving Saul's messengers. David then fled to Samuel in Ramah, where Saul's messengers and eventually Saul himself were overcome by the Spirit of God, causing them to prophesy, and Saul was left naked and prophesying all day and night.

David fled to Jonathan, telling him that Saul sought to kill him, and Jonathan assured David of his safety, saying that his father would not do anything without telling him. David asked Jonathan to find out his father's intentions, and Jonathan agreed, suggesting a plan to determine Saul's intentions by observing his reaction to David's absence at the new moon feast. Jonathan promised to send a signal to David by shooting arrows, and if the arrows landed beyond the lad sent to retrieve them, David would know that Saul intended to harm him. The plan was carried out, and when Saul became angry at David's absence, Jonathan realized that his father intended to kill David. Jonathan sent a signal to David, warning him of the danger, and the two friends parted ways, with Jonathan promising to remain loyal to David.

David visited Ahimelech the priest at Nob, claiming he was on a secret mission from King Saul, and asked for food and a weapon. Ahimelech gave David the hallowed bread and the sword of Goliath, which was the only sword available. David then fled to Gath, where he was recognized by the servants of King Achish, who questioned why he was there. David feigned madness to avoid detection, and Achish, thinking David was indeed mad, ordered his servants to take him away.

David fled to the cave of Adullam, where his family and about 400 men joined him, including those in distress, debt, and discontent. David then sent his parents to the king of Moab for protection and later moved to the forest of Hareth after being advised by the prophet Gad. Meanwhile, Saul accused his servants of conspiring against him and was informed by Doeg the Edomite that Ahimelech the priest had helped David. Saul ordered the execution of Ahimelech and the priests of Nob, but his servants refused, so Doeg carried out the slaughter, killing 85 priests and the inhabitants of Nob. Abiathar, Ahimelech's son, escaped and joined David, who took responsibility for the priests' deaths and offered Abiathar protection.

David inquired of the Lord whether he should attack the Philistines who were fighting against Keilah, and the Lord told him to go and deliver the city. David and his men defeated the Philistines, but when Saul heard that David was in Keilah, he planned to besiege the city to capture him. David inquired of the Lord again and was told that Saul would come to Keilah and that the men of the city would deliver him into Saul's hands. David and his men escaped from Keilah and went to the wilderness of Ziph, where Jonathan met with him and strengthened his hand in God.

Saul, with 3,000 men, pursued David and his men to the wilderness of Engedi, where David had the opportunity to kill Saul while he was in a cave, but instead cut off the skirt of Saul's robe. David later confronted Saul, showing him the robe's skirt and explaining that he had spared his life, despite having the chance to kill him. Saul acknowledged David's righteousness and wept, recognizing that David would one day be king and asking him to swear not to destroy his family or name. David swore to Saul, and Saul returned home, while David and his men went to the hold.

Samuel died and was buried in Ramah, and David went to the wilderness of Paran. A wealthy man named Nabal, who was churlish and evil, was shearing his sheep in Carmel, and David sent his men to ask Nabal for food and supplies in exchange for protecting his shepherds. Nabal refused, and David prepared to attack him, but Nabal's wife Abigail intervened, bringing gifts and apologizing for her husband's behavior. David was moved by Abigail's words and spared Nabal's household. Later, Nabal died, and David married Abigail and another woman named Ahinoam.

David learns that Saul is coming to the wilderness of Ziph with 3,000 men to capture him. David sends out spies to confirm this and then sneaks into Saul's camp at night with Abishai, where they find Saul sleeping. Abishai offers to kill Saul, but David refuses, saying it is wrong to harm the Lord's anointed. Instead, David takes Saul's spear and water jug as proof that he could have killed Saul but chose not to. David then calls out to Abner, Saul's captain, and rebukes him for not protecting the king. Saul recognizes David's voice and asks why he is being pursued, and David responds by asking Saul to stop chasing him. Saul admits his wrongdoing and promises not to harm David again, and David returns Saul's spear as a gesture of goodwill.

David, fearing for his life, fled to the Philistine city of Gath with his 600 men and two wives, and King Achish gave him the city of Ziklag to dwell in. David and his men raided the Geshurites, Gezrites, and Amalekites, killing everyone and taking their livestock and goods, then returned to Achish, telling him they had raided the south of Judah and other areas. David left no one alive to reveal his true actions to the Philistines, and Achish believed David had turned against his own people and would be his servant forever.

The Philistines gathered their armies to fight Israel, and Saul, afraid of the impending battle, sought guidance from the Lord but received no answer. Desperate, Saul disguised himself and visited a medium at Endor, asking her to conjure the spirit of Samuel, who told Saul that the Lord had departed from him and that he and his sons would soon die, and the Philistines would defeat Israel. After hearing Samuel's words, Saul was overcome with fear and weakness, but was persuaded by the medium and his servants to eat and regain his strength before departing.

The Philistines gathered their armies at Aphek, while the Israelites camped by a fountain in Jezreel. David and his men were with the Philistine army, led by Achish, but the Philistine princes were wary of David's presence, fearing he might turn against them in battle. Achish defended David, but ultimately told him to return home, as the princes did not trust him. David and his men departed early the next morning, returning to the land of the Philistines.

The Amalekites invaded Ziklag, burning the city and taking the women and children captive, including David's two wives. David and his men pursued the Amalekites, and with God's guidance, they defeated them, recovering all that had been taken, including David's wives. David then divided the spoil among all his men, including those who had stayed behind, establishing a precedent for future battles. He also sent gifts of the spoil to the elders of Judah and other allies.

The Philistines defeated the Israelites on Mount Gilboa, killing Saul's sons Jonathan, Abinadab, and Malchishua. Saul, wounded by archers, asked his armor-bearer to kill him, but the armor-bearer refused, so Saul took his own life by falling on his sword. The armor-bearer then killed himself as well. The Philistines beheaded Saul's body, stripped his armor, and sent it to their idols, but the men of Jabesh-gilead retrieved the bodies of Saul and his sons, burned them, and buried their bones under a tree.