Hannah Gives Birth to Samuel 1 There was a man from Ramathaim Zophim, from the hill country of Ephraim, whose name was Elkanah. He was the son of Jeroham, the son of Elihu, the son of Tohu, the son of Zuph, an Ephraimite. 2 He had two wives; the name of the first was Hannah […]
In this book we have an account of Eli, and the wickedness of his sons; also of Samuel, his character and actions. Then of the advancement of Saul to be the king of Israel, and his ill behaviour, until his death made way for David’s succession to the throne, who was an eminent type of Christ. David’s patience, modesty, constancy, persecution by open enemies and feigned friends, are a pattern and example to the church, and to every member of it. Many things in this book encourage the faith, hope, and patience of the suffering believer. It contains also many useful cautions and awful warnings.
Matthew Henry
1 Samuel 2
Hannah Exalts the Lord in Prayer 1 Hannah prayed,“My heart rejoices in the Lord;my horn is exalted high because of the Lord.I loudly denounce my enemies,for I am happy that you delivered me.2 No one is holy like the Lord!There is no one other than you!There is no rock like our God!3 Don’t keep speaking […]
1 Samuel 3
The Call of Samuel 1 Now the boy Samuel continued serving the Lord under Eli’s supervision. Word from the Lord was rare in those days; revelatory visions were infrequent.2 Eli’s eyes had begun to fail, so that he was unable to see well. At that time he was lying down in his place, 3 and […]
1 Samuel 4
1 Samuel revealed the word of the Lord to all Israel. The Ark of the Covenant is Lost to the Philistines Then the Israelites went out to fight the Philistines. They camped at Ebenezer, and the Philistines camped at Aphek. 2 The Philistines arranged their forces to fight Israel. As the battle spread out, Israel […]
1 Samuel 5
The Ark Causes Trouble for the Philistines 1 Now the Philistines had captured the ark of God and brought it from Ebenezer to Ashdod. 2 The Philistines took the ark of God and brought it into the temple of Dagon, where they positioned it beside Dagon. 3 When the residents of Ashdod got up early […]
1 Samuel 6
The Philistines Return the Ark 1 When the ark of the Lord had been in the land of the Philistines for seven months, 2 the Philistines called the priests and the omen readers, saying, “What should we do with the ark of the Lord? Advise us as to how we should send it back to […]
1 Samuel 7
1 Then the people of Kiriath Jearim came and took the ark of the Lord; they brought it to the house of Abinadab located on the hill. They consecrated Eleazar his son to guard the ark of the Lord. Further Conflict with the Philistines 2 It was quite a long time – some twenty years […]
1 Samuel 8
Israel Seeks a King 1 In his old age Samuel appointed his sons as judges over Israel. 2 The name of his firstborn son was Joel, and the name of his second son was Abijah. They were judges in Beer Sheba. 3 But his sons did not follow his ways. Instead, they made money dishonestly, […]
1 Samuel 9
Samuel Meets with Saul 1 There was a Benjaminite man named Kish son of Abiel, the son of Zeror, the son of Becorath, the son of Aphiah of Benjamin. He was a prominent person. 2 He had a son named Saul, a handsome young man. There was no one among the Israelites more handsome than […]
1 Samuel 10
Samuel Anoints Saul 1 Then Samuel took a small container of olive oil and poured it on Saul’s head. Samuel kissed him and said, “The Lord has chosen you to lead his people Israel! You will rule over the Lord’s people and you will deliver them from the power of the enemies who surround them. […]
1 Samuel 11
Saul Comes to the Aid of Jabesh 1 Nahash the Ammonite marched against Jabesh Gilead. All the men of Jabesh Gilead said to Nahash, “Make a treaty with us and we will serve you.”2 But Nahash the Ammonite said to them, “The only way I will make a treaty with you is if you let […]
1 Samuel 12
1 Samuel said to all Israel, “I have done everything you requested. I have given you a king. 2 Now look! This king walks before you. As for me, I am old and gray, though my sons are here with you. I have walked before you from the time of my youth till the present […]
1 Samuel 13
Saul Fails the Lord 1 Saul was [thirty] years old when he began to reign; he ruled over Israel for [forty] years. 2 Saul selected for himself three thousand men from Israel. Two thousand of these were with Saul at Micmash and in the hill country of Bethel; the remaining thousand were with Jonathan at […]
1 Samuel 14
1 Then one day Jonathan son of Saul said to his armour bearer, “Come on, let’s go over to the Philistine garrison that is opposite us.” But he did not let his father know.2 Now Saul was sitting under a pomegranate tree in Migron, on the outskirts of Gibeah. The army that was with him […]
1 Samuel 15
Saul Is Rejected as King 1 Then Samuel said to Saul, “I was the one the Lord sent to anoint you as king over his people Israel. Now listen to what the Lord says. 2 Here is what the Lord of hosts says: ‘I carefully observed how the Amalekites opposed Israel along the way when […]
1 Samuel 16
Samuel Anoints David as King 1 The Lord said to Samuel, “How long do you intend to mourn for Saul? I have rejected him as king over Israel. Fill your horn with olive oil and go! I am sending you to Jesse in Bethlehem, for I have selected a king for myself from among his […]
1 Samuel 17
David Kills Goliath 1 The Philistines gathered their troops for battle. They assembled at Socoh in Judah. They camped in Ephes Dammim, between Socoh and Azekah. 2 Saul and the Israelite army assembled and camped in the valley of Elah, where they arranged their battle lines to fight against the Philistines. 3 The Philistines were […]
1 Samuel 18
Saul Comes to Fear David 1 When David had finished talking with Saul, Jonathan and David became bound together in close friendship. Jonathan loved David as much as he did his own life. 2 Saul retained David on that day and did not allow him to return to his father’s house. 3 Jonathan made a […]
1 Samuel 19
Saul Repeatedly Attempts to Take David’s Life Then Saul told his son Jonathan and all his servants to kill David. But Saul’s son Jonathan liked David very much. So Jonathan told David, “My father Saul is trying to kill you. So be careful tomorrow morning. Find a hiding place and stay in seclusion. I will […]
1 Samuel 20
Jonathan Seeks to Protect David 1 David fled from Naioth in Ramah. He came to Jonathan and asked, “What have I done? What is my offence? How have I sinned before your father? For he is seeking my life!”2 Jonathan said to him, “By no means are you going to die! My father does nothing […]
1 Samuel 21
David Goes to Nob Then David got up and left, while Jonathan went back to the city. 1 David went to Ahimelech the priest in Nob. Ahimelech was shaking with fear when he met David, and said to him, “Why are you by yourself with no one accompanying you?” 2 David replied to Ahimelech the […]
1 Samuel 22
David Goes to Adullam and Mizpah 1 So David left there and escaped to the cave of Adullam. When his brothers and the rest of his father’s family learned about it, they went down there to him. 2 All those who were in trouble or owed someone money or were discontented gathered around him, and […]
1 Samuel 23
David Delivers the City of Keilah 1 They told David, “The Philistines are fighting in Keilah and are looting the threshing floors.” 2 So David asked the Lord, “Should I go and strike down these Philistines?” The Lord said to David, “Go, strike down the Philistines and deliver Keilah.”3 But David’s men said to him, […]
1 Samuel 24
David Spares Saul’s Life 1 When Saul returned from pursuing the Philistines, they told him, “Look, David is in the desert of En Gedi.” 2 So Saul took three thousand select men from all Israel and went to find David and his men in the region of the rocks of the mountain goats. 3 He […]
1 Samuel 25
The Death of Samuel 1 Samuel died, and all Israel assembled and mourned him. They buried him at his home in Ramah. Then David left and went down to the desert of Paran. David Marries Abigail the Widow of Nabal 2 There was a man in Maon whose business was in Carmel. This man was […]
1 Samuel 26
David Spares Saul’s Life Again 1 The Ziphites came to Saul at Gibeah and said, “Isn’t David hiding on the hill of Hakilah near Jeshimon?” 2 So Saul arose andwent down to the desert of Ziph, accompanied by three thousand select men of Israel, to look for David in the desert of Ziph. 3 Saul […]
1 Samuel 27
David Aligns Himself with the Philistines 1 David thought to himself, “One of these days I’m going to be swept away by the hand of Saul! There is nothing better for me than to escape to the land of the Philistines. Then Saul will despair of searching for me through all the territory of Israel […]
1 Samuel 28
The Witch of Endor 1 In those days the Philistines gathered their troops for war in order to fight Israel. Achish said to David, “You should fully understand that you and your men must go with me into the battle.” 2 David replied to Achish, “That being the case, you will come to know what […]
1 Samuel 29
1 The Philistines assembled all their troops at Aphek, while Israel camped at the spring that is in Jezreel. 2 When the leaders of the Philistines were passing in review at the head of their units of hundreds and thousands, David and his men were passing in review in the rear with Achish.3 The leaders […]
1 Samuel 30
David Defeats the Amalekites 1 On the third day David and his men came to Ziklag. Now the Amalekites had raided the Negev and Ziklag. They attacked Ziklag and burned it. 2 They took captive the women who were in it, from the youngest to the oldest, but they did not kill anyone. They simply […]
1 Samuel 31
The Death of Saul 1 Now the Philistines were fighting against Israel. The men of Israel fled from the Philistines and many of them fell dead on Mount Gilboa. 2 The Philistines stayed right on the heels of Saul and his sons. They struck down Saul’s sons Jonathan, Abinadab, and Malki-Shua. 3 Saul himself was […]