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The Book
of 1 Samuel

summaries and outlines

David_and_Goliath

Book Summary

The purpose of 1 Samuel is to highlight two major events: the establishment of the monarchy in Israel (chs. 8–12); and the rise of David to be king after Saul. After ruling for a while, Saul was rejected by the Lord in favor of David, though Saul stayed on the throne until his death at Mount Gilboa.

https://www.esv.org/resources/esv-global-study-bible/introduction-to-1-2-samuel/

The Bible - Numbers

Title

The title “Samuel” refers to the prophet Samuel as the pivotal figure in the books of 1–2 Samuel. As Israel’s final judge, Samuel is the transitional figure from a tribal confederacy in the period of the judges to a united monarchy; Samuel anointed Saul and then David as the first kings of Israel. .

[Source: NIV Theology Study Bible, Copyright © 2010 by Zondervan.]

hebrew_writing

Author and Date of Writing

The authorship of 1–2 Samuel is unknown. Jewish tradition believed the prophet Samuel to be the author.
First Samuel begins with the birth and call of the prophet Samuel, which occurred in the eleventh century bc. 2 Samuel ends near the close of David’s reign (ca. 1010–970 bc).

[Source:NIV Theology Study Bible, Copyright © 2010 by Zondervan.]

1 Samuel Outline

31 Chapters -- Read at Biblegateway.com

I. Birth, Youth, and Call of the Prophet Samuel
1 Sam 1:1—4:1a)

  1. The Birth of Samuel (1 Samuel 1:1–20)
  2. Hannah Dedicates Samuel (1 Samuel 1:21–28)
  3. Hannah’s Prayer (1 Samuel 2:1–11)
  4. Eli’s Wicked Sons (1 Samuel 2:12–26)
  5. Prophecy Against the House of Eli (1 Samuel 2:27–36)
  6. The Lord Calls Samuel (1 Samuel 3:1—4:1a)

II. The Ark Narrative (4:1b—7:2a)

  1. The Philistines Capture the Ark (1 Samuel 4:1b–11)
  2. Death of Eli (1 Samuel 4:12–18)
  3. The Birth of Ichabod (1 Samuel 4:19–22)
  4. The Ark in Ashdod and Ekron (1 Samuel 5:1–12)
  5. The Ark Returned to Israel (1 Samuel 6:1—7:2a)

III. Samuel Subdues the Philistines at Mizpah (7:2b–17)

IV. Israel Asks for a King (8:1–22)

V. Choosing and Anointing a King (9:1—10:27)

VI. Saul Rescues the City of Jabesh (11:1–11)

VII. Saul Confirmed as King (11:12–15)

VIII. Samuel’s Farewell Speech (12:1–25)

  1. Samuel’s Plea of Innocence (1 Samuel 12:1–5)
  2. Samuel’s Lawsuit Against the People (1 Samuel 12:6–19)
  3. A Final Warning (1 Samuel 12:20–25)

IX. Saul’s Kingship (13:1—15:35)

  1. Samuel Rebukes Saul (1 Samuel 13:1–15)
  2. Israel Without Weapons (1 Samuel 13:16–22)
  3. War Against the Philistines (1 Samuel 13:23—14:46)
    1. Jonathan Attacks the Philistines (1 Samuel 13:23—14:14)
    2. Israel Routs the Philistines (1 Samuel 14:15–23)
    3. Jonathan Eats Honey (1 Samuel 14:24–46)
  4. Summary of Saul’s Kingship (1 Samuel 14:47–52)
  5. The Lord Rejects Saul as King (1 Samuel 15:1–35)

X. Saul’s Fall and David’s Rise (16:1—31:13)

  1. Samuel Anoints David (1 Samuel 16:1–13)
  2. David in Saul’s Service (1 Samuel 16:14–23)
  3. David and Goliath (1 Samuel 17:1–58)
    1. The Setting of War (1 Samuel 17:1–11)
    2. David at Home (1 Samuel 17:12–19)
    3. David in the Ranks of Israel (1 Samuel 17:20–30)
    4. David Volunteers (1 Samuel 17:31–39)
    5. The Fight (1 Samuel 17:40–54)
    6. David’s Pedigree Revealed to Saul (1 Samuel 17:55–58)
  4. Saul’s Growing Fear of David (1 Samuel 18:1–30)
  5. Saul Tries to Kill David (1 Samuel 19:1–24)
  6. David and Jonathan (1 Samuel 20:1–42)
  7. David at Nob (1 Samuel 21:1–9)
  8. David at Gath (1 Samuel 21:10–15)
  9. David at Adullam and Mizpah (1 Samuel 22:1–5)
  10. Saul Kills the Priests of Nob (1 Samuel 22:6–23)
  11. David Delivers Keilah (1 Samuel 23:1–6)
  12. Saul Pursues David (1 Samuel 23:7–29)
  13. David Spares Saul’s Life (1 Samuel 24:1–22)
  14. David, Nabal, and Abigail (1 Samuel 25:1–44)
  15. David Again Spares Saul’s Life (1 Samuel 26:1–25)
  16. David Among the Philistines (1 Samuel 27:1—28:2)
  17. Saul and the Medium at Endor (1 Samuel 28:3–25)
  18. Achish Sends David Back to Ziklag (1 Samuel 29:1–11)
  19. David Destroys the Amalekites (1 Samuel 30:1–31)
  20. Saul Takes His Own Life (1 Samuel 31:1–13)

2 Samuel 2 Samuel 2 Samuel 2 Samuel 2 Samuel

XI. David’s Early Success (2 Sam 1:1—10:19)

  1. David Hears of Saul’s Death (1:1–16)
  2. David’s Lament for Saul and Jonathan (1:17–27)
  3. David Anointed King Over Judah (2:1–7)
  4. War Between the Houses of David and Saul (2:8—3:5)
  5. Abner Goes Over to David (3:6–21)
  6. Joab Murders Abner (3:22–39)
  7. Ish-Bosheth Murdered (4:1–12)
  8. David Becomes King Over Israel (5:1–5)
  9. David Conquers Jerusalem (5:6–16)
  10. David Defeats the Philistines (5:17–25)
  11. The Ark Brought to Jerusalem (6:1–23)
  12. God’s Promise to David (7:1–17)
  13. David’s Prayer (7:18–29)
  14. David’s Victories (8:1–14)
  15. David’s Officials (8:15–18)
  16. David and Mephibosheth (9:1–13)
  17. David Defeats the Ammonites (10:1–19)

XII. David’s Grievous Sins (11:1—12:31)

  1. David and Bathsheba (11:1–27)
  2. Nathan Rebukes David (12:1–31)

XIII. Later Years of David’s Rule (13:1—24:25)

  1. Amnon and Tamar (13:1–22)
  2. Absalom Kills Amnon (13:23–39)
  3. Absalom Returns to Jerusalem (14:1–33)
  4. Absalom’s Conspiracy (15:1–12)
  5. David Flees (15:13–37)
  6. David and Ziba (16:1–4)
  7. Shimei Curses David (16:5–14)
  8. The Advice of Ahithophel and Hushai (16:15–23)
  9. Hushai’s Advice Is Accepted (17:1–23)
  10. Absalom’s Death (17:24—18:18)
  11. David Mourns (18:19—19:8)
  12. David Returns to Jerusalem (19:9–43)
  13. Sheba Rebels Against David (20:1–22)
  14. David’s Officials (20:23–26)
  15. The Gibeonites Avenged (21:1–14)
  16. Wars Against the Philistines (21:15–22)
  17. David’s Song of Praise (22:1–51)
  18. David’s Last Words (23:1–7)
  19. David’s Mighty Warriors (23:8–39)
  20. David Enrolls the Fighting Men (24:1–17)
  21. David Builds an Altar (24:18–25)
Adapted from: NIV Biblical Theology Study Bible, Copyright © 2019 by Zondervan.

References and Sources:

David and Goliath Painting  

By attributed to Charles Errard the Younger – Necspenecmetu.tumblr.com, Public Domain, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=42567222