1 Samuel is book 9 of the 39 books of the Old Testament and belongs to the History section. See how it fits with the rest in our guide to all 66 books of the Bible.
Quick facts
- Section
- Old Testament · History
- Genre
- Historical narrative
- Author (traditional)
- Samuel for the early chapters, with Nathan and Gad completing the account (based on 1 Chronicles 29:29).
- Other views on authorship
- Most scholars see Samuel as part of the history from Deuteronomy to Kings, built from older sources and edited in the late monarchy or exile.
- Date (traditional)
- Written in the 10th century BC, not long after David's reign.
- Other views on dating
- Final form commonly dated to the 7th or 6th century BC, using earlier sources.
- Chapters
- 31
- Verses
- 810
- Reading time
- About 113 minutes (22,527 words in the BSB)
What is 1 Samuel about?
1 and 2 Samuel were originally one book. 1 Samuel opens with Hannah, a childless woman who pours out her heart to God and is given a son, Samuel. She dedicates him to serve at the tabernacle in Shiloh, where the boy hears God calling in the night. Samuel grows into a prophet and judge, while the corrupt priest Eli and his sons fall and the ark of the covenant is captured — and then sent back — by the Philistines.
When Samuel grows old, the people demand a king 'like all the nations.' God warns them but grants it. Saul is tall and impressive and starts well, but he repeatedly disobeys: offering sacrifices he shouldn't and sparing what God told him to destroy. Samuel tells him that obedience is better than sacrifice and that the kingdom will be given to another.
God sends Samuel to Bethlehem, where he anoints the youngest of Jesse's sons, David, because God looks at the heart. David kills Goliath with a sling, becomes a hero and best friend to Saul's son Jonathan, and marries Saul's daughter. But Saul's jealousy turns murderous, and David spends years as a fugitive, twice sparing Saul's life. The book ends with Saul and Jonathan dying in battle against the Philistines on Mount Gilboa.
Outline of 1 Samuel
| ChaptersCh. | Section |
|---|---|
| 1–3 | Samuel's birth and call Hannah's prayer and song, Eli's corrupt sons, and God calling young Samuel. |
| 4–7 | The ark captured and returned Israel loses the ark to the Philistines; God afflicts them until it returns; Samuel leads a revival. |
| 8–12 | Israel asks for a king Saul is chosen, anointed and confirmed; Samuel gives a farewell warning. |
| 13–15 | Saul's failure Saul's impatient sacrifice, Jonathan's bravery, and the disobedience that costs Saul the kingdom. |
| 16–17 | David anointed; Goliath Samuel anoints David; David enters Saul's service and defeats Goliath. |
| 18–26 | David on the run Friendship with Jonathan, Saul's jealousy, life as an outlaw, Abigail, and David sparing Saul. |
| 27–31 | The end of Saul David among the Philistines; Saul consults a medium at Endor and dies on Mount Gilboa. |
Key themes
- God looks at the heart. Saul looks like a king; David looks like a shepherd boy. God chooses on the basis of the heart (16:7), not appearance.
- Obedience over ritual. Samuel tells Saul that obeying is better than sacrifice (15:22). Religion without obedience is empty.
- God lifts the humble. Hannah's song celebrates a God who raises the poor and humbles the proud — a theme echoed in Mary's song in Luke 1.
- The battle is the LORD's. David faces Goliath not with Saul's armor but with trust in God's name. Read the full story of David and Goliath.
- Faithful friendship. Jonathan, heir to the throne, gives his loyalty to David, choosing covenant love over self-interest.
Key people and places
- Hannah — Mother of Samuel whose prayer is answered.
- Samuel — Last judge and prophet who anoints Israel's first two kings.
- Eli — Priest at Shiloh who raises Samuel.
- Saul — Israel's first king, who loses God's favor.
- David — Shepherd boy anointed as the next king.
- Jonathan — Saul's son and David's loyal friend.
- Goliath — Philistine giant defeated by David.
- Abigail — Wise woman who prevents David from taking revenge.
Places: Shiloh, Ramah, Bethlehem, Gibeah, Valley of Elah, En Gedi, Ziklag, Mount Gilboa.
Key verses in 1 Samuel
Quoted from the Berean Standard Bible (BSB).
“There is no one holy like the LORD. Indeed, there is no one besides You! And there is no Rock like our God.”
“Then the LORD came and stood there, calling as before, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel answered, “Speak, for Your servant is listening.””
“But Samuel declared: “Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obedience to His voice? Behold, obedience is better than sacrifice, and attentiveness is better than the fat of rams.”
“But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or height, for I have rejected him; the LORD does not see as man does. For man sees the outward appearance, but the LORD sees the heart.””
“But David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD of Hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.”
How 1 Samuel fits the big story
1 Samuel answers the problem left at the end of Judges: Israel without a faithful leader. It shows that a king is not enough — he must be the right king. The story continues in 2 Samuel, where David takes the throne and God promises him a lasting dynasty. Many of David's Psalms are linked to his years running from Saul. The New Testament calls Jesus the Son of David, the true king after God's own heart. Test yourself with the David and Goliath quiz.
How to read 1 Samuel
At 3 chapters a day you can read 1 Samuel in 11 days. Follow the three main characters — Samuel, Saul and David — and compare how each responds to God. Chapters 16–17 make a good starting point if you know the book only from its famous scenes.