Old Testament · 31 chapters
1 Samuel.
First Samuel traces Israel’s transition from judges to kings through Samuel, Saul, and David. It contrasts outward status with the kind of obedience, humility, and trust required of those who lead God’s people.
Choose a chapter 1 Samuel · 31 chapters
Read a chapter. Find its meaning.
Choose a chapter for the complete Bible text and a short summary to guide your reading.
Chapter 1.
Hannah prays through the pain of childlessness and vows to dedicate a son to God. Samuel is born and brought to serve at the sanctuary.
Read chapter 36 versesChapter 2.
Hannah praises God’s reversals of human status, while Eli’s sons abuse their priestly role. Samuel grows in service, and judgment is announced against Eli’s household.
Read chapter 21 versesChapter 3.
God calls Samuel during the night and gives him a difficult message about Eli’s family. Samuel becomes recognized throughout Israel as a prophet.
Read chapter 22 versesChapter 4.
Israel takes the ark into battle as though it guarantees victory, but the Philistines capture it. Eli and his sons die amid the disaster.
Read chapter 12 versesChapter 5.
The captured ark brings humiliation to Dagon’s temple and affliction to Philistine cities. The Philistines discover that Israel’s defeat has not made Israel’s God powerless.
Read chapter 21 versesChapter 6.
The Philistines return the ark with offerings after seeking counsel. Its arrival brings joy and also judgment when its holiness is treated carelessly.
Read chapterChapter 7.
Samuel calls Israel to reject foreign gods and seek the Lord. God delivers the people from the Philistines, and Samuel establishes a memorial of that help.
Read chapter 22 versesChapter 8.
Israel asks Samuel for a king like other nations. God permits the request while warning of the burdens and abuses royal power can bring.
Read chapter 27 versesChapter 9.
Saul searches for lost donkeys and encounters Samuel, who has been prepared for his arrival. An ordinary errand leads toward an unexpected appointment.
Read chapter 27 versesChapter 10.
Samuel anoints Saul, and confirming signs accompany him. Saul is then publicly selected as king, though some remain doubtful about his ability to lead.
Read chapter 15 versesChapter 11.
Saul rallies Israel to rescue Jabesh-gilead from the Ammonites. The victory strengthens his position, and the people renew the kingship at Gilgal.
Read chapter 25 versesChapter 12.
Samuel defends his conduct, recalls God’s faithfulness, and confronts Israel’s request for a king. He urges both people and ruler to fear and serve the Lord.
Read chapter 23 versesChapter 13.
Saul’s premature sacrifice exposes his failure to follow Samuel’s instruction. Meanwhile, Philistine military pressure and Israel’s lack of weapons deepen the crisis.
Read chapter 52 versesChapter 14.
Jonathan’s daring attack sparks a victory over the Philistines. Saul’s rash oath nearly costs Jonathan his life until the people intervene.
Read chapter 35 versesChapter 15.
Saul disobeys the command concerning Amalek and tries to justify what he spared. Samuel declares that obedience matters more than sacrifice and announces Saul’s rejection.
Read chapter 23 versesChapter 16.
Samuel anoints David after God directs him beyond outward appearance. David later serves Saul with music when the king is troubled.
Read chapter 58 versesChapter 17.
David confronts Goliath with confidence in God rather than conventional armor. His victory delivers Israel and brings him into public view.
Read chapter 30 versesChapter 18.
Jonathan forms a close bond with David, while Saul grows jealous of David’s success. Saul’s attempts to use marriage and military danger against him fail.
Read chapter 24 versesChapter 19.
Saul openly seeks David’s death, but Jonathan, Michal, and Samuel become means of protection. David’s flight exposes the growing threat from the king.
Read chapter 42 versesChapter 20.
Jonathan tests Saul’s intentions and confirms the danger to David. The friends renew their covenant and part in grief.
Read chapter 15 versesChapter 21.
David receives bread and Goliath’s sword from the priest at Nob. He then flees to Gath, where he pretends madness to escape danger.
Read chapter 23 versesChapter 22.
David gathers a following while Saul orders the massacre of Nob’s priests. Abiathar escapes and brings the news to David.
Read chapter 29 versesChapter 23.
David rescues Keilah but learns that its people would surrender him to Saul. He moves through the wilderness as Jonathan encourages him and Saul continues the pursuit.
Read chapter 22 versesChapter 24.
David has an opportunity to kill Saul in a cave but spares him. He appeals to Saul’s conscience and entrusts judgment to God.
Read chapter 44 versesChapter 25.
Nabal insults David’s men, and David prepares violent retaliation. Abigail’s wise intervention prevents bloodshed, and she later becomes David’s wife after Nabal’s death.
Read chapter 25 versesChapter 26.
David again enters Saul’s camp and spares his life, taking evidence of his access. Their exchange exposes the injustice of Saul’s pursuit.
Read chapter 12 versesChapter 27.
David seeks refuge among the Philistines and receives Ziklag from Achish. His raids and reports keep Achish unaware of his true activities.
Read chapter 25 versesChapter 28.
Facing the Philistine army without divine guidance, Saul consults a medium at Endor. The message he receives announces his coming defeat and death.
Read chapter 11 versesChapter 29.
Philistine commanders refuse to let David join their battle against Israel. Achish sends him back despite expressing confidence in him.
Read chapter 31 versesChapter 30.
David finds Ziklag burned and the families taken captive. After seeking God, he pursues the raiders, recovers everyone, and establishes a fair distribution of the spoil.
Read chapter 13 versesChapter 31.
Saul and his sons die in battle against the Philistines. The men of Jabesh-gilead recover and honor their bodies after the enemy’s public humiliation.
Read chapterKing James Version (KJV). Bible text supplied by eBible.org and the CrossWire Bible Society. Summaries are written with AI assistance and are separate from Scripture. Read the chapter itself when considering its meaning.