Samuel (1 Samuel 1:11–28; 1 Samuel 2:18–26; 1 Samuel 3:1–21; 1 Samuel 7:3–17; 1 Samuel 8:1–22; 1 Samuel 9:15–10:1; 1 Samuel 12:1–5; 1 Samuel 12:23–24; 1 Samuel 13:13–14; 1 Samuel 15:22–35; 1 Samuel 16:1–13; 1 Samuel 19:18–24; 1 Samuel 25:1; 1 Samuel 28:11–20; 1 Chronicles 6:33–34; Acts 13:20; Hebrews 11:32)

Prophet of the LORD, who judged Israel all his days

The son Hannah asked of the LORD and granted to the LORD, who ministered before the LORD as a child at Shiloh, was established as a prophet, judged Israel, anointed Saul and then David, and is named again after his death at En-dor.

The book that bears his name opens with a man named Elkanah, whose wife Hannah prayed at Shiloh and vowed a son: “then I will give him unto Jehovah all the days of his life” (1 Samuel 1:11). “Elkanah knew Hannah his wife; and Jehovah remembered her” (1 Samuel 1:19), and she bore a son and “called his name Samuel, saying, Because I have asked him of Jehovah” (1 Samuel 1:20). When he was weaned she brought him to Eli, and the child “ministered before Jehovah, being a child, girded with a linen ephod” (1 Samuel 2:18). The LORD called him in the night, and in time “all Israel from Dan even to Beer-sheba knew that Samuel was established to be a prophet of Jehovah” (1 Samuel 3:20). The genealogy in 1 Chronicles runs through “the son of Joel, the son of Samuel, the son of Elkanah” (1 Chronicles 6:33-34).

After the ark had abode twenty years at Kiriath-jearim, Samuel called Israel to put away the foreign gods, gathered them at Mizpah, prayed for them, and set up a stone at Eben-ezer. “And Samuel judged Israel all the days of his life” (1 Samuel 7:15). When he was old his sons judged at Beer-sheba and “walked not in his ways” (1 Samuel 8:3); the elders asked for a king, and the LORD told him, “they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me” (1 Samuel 8:7). At the LORD's word Samuel anointed Saul, presented him to the people at Mizpah, and gave his farewell address at Gilgal. Later he told Saul at Gilgal that his kingdom would not continue, and after the war with Amalek he told him, “to obey is better than sacrifice” (1 Samuel 15:22). “Samuel came no more to see Saul until the day of his death; for Samuel mourned for Saul” (1 Samuel 15:35).

The LORD then sent him to Jesse at Beth-lehem, where he anointed David “in the midst of his brethren” (1 Samuel 16:13). David later fled to him at Ramah and dwelt with him at Naioth. “And Samuel died; and all Israel gathered themselves together, and lamented him, and buried him in his house at Ramah” (1 Samuel 25:1). Yet the book names him once more: Saul, unanswered by the LORD, asked a woman at En-dor to “Bring me up Samuel” (1 Samuel 28:11). A psalm sets him “among them that call upon his name” (Psalms 99:6), and Jeremiah names him with Moses as one who might stand before the LORD (Jeremiah 15:1). Acts says, “he gave them judges until Samuel the prophet” (Acts 13:20), and Hebrews names him among those of whom “the time will fail me if I tell” (Hebrews 11:32).

Strengths

• Answering “Here am I”
• Hid nothing from Eli
• None of his words fell to the ground
• Clean hands in office
• Pleading for Israel
• Did that which the LORD spake

Themes

• Dedicated to the LORD
• The word of the LORD
• Prayer for the people
• Kings and the kingdom
• Obedience better than sacrifice

Hannah's vow and Samuel's birth (1 Samuel 1:1–28)

Hannah, grieved at Shiloh, vows a son to the LORD; after Elkanah knew her she bears Samuel, and when he is weaned she leaves him with Eli.

Ministers before the LORD at Shiloh (1 Samuel 2:11; 1 Samuel 2:18–21; 1 Samuel 2:26)

The child ministers before the LORD under Eli in a linen ephod, his mother brings him a little robe each year, and he grows in favor with the LORD and with men.

The LORD calls Samuel in the night (1 Samuel 3:1–21; 1 Samuel 4:1)

The LORD calls Samuel three times, Eli tells him how to answer, Samuel hears the word against Eli's house and tells Eli all of it, and all Israel knows he is established a prophet.

The LORD calls Samuel in the night

“And the child Samuel ministered unto Jehovah before Eli. And the word of Jehovah was precious in those days; there was no frequent vision” (1 Samuel 3:1). Samuel was laid down to sleep in the temple of the LORD, “that Jehovah called Samuel; and he said, Here am I” (1 Samuel 3:4). He ran to Eli, who said, “I called not; lie down again” (1 Samuel 3:5). It happened three times, for “Samuel did not yet know Jehovah, neither was the word of Jehovah yet revealed unto him” (1 Samuel 3:7).

“And Eli perceived that Jehovah had called the child. Therefore Eli said unto Samuel, Go, lie down: and it shall be, if he call thee, that thou shalt say, Speak, Jehovah; for thy servant heareth” (1 Samuel 3:8-9). The LORD came, stood, and called, “Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel said, Speak; for thy servant heareth” (1 Samuel 3:10). The LORD told him that He would perform against Eli's house all He had spoken, “for the iniquity which he knew, because his sons did bring a curse upon themselves, and he restrained them not” (1 Samuel 3:13).

“And Samuel feared to show Eli the vision” (1 Samuel 3:15). Eli called him and said, “I pray thee, hide it not from me” (1 Samuel 3:17), and “Samuel told him every whit, and hid nothing from him. And he said, It is Jehovah: let him do what seemeth him good” (1 Samuel 3:18).

“And Samuel grew, and Jehovah was with him, and did let none of his words fall to the ground. And all Israel from Dan even to Beer-sheba knew that Samuel was established to be a prophet of Jehovah” (1 Samuel 3:19-20). The next chapter begins, “And the word of Samuel came to all Israel” (1 Samuel 4:1).

Mizpah, Eben-ezer and the yearly circuit (1 Samuel 7:2–17)

Samuel calls Israel to put away the foreign gods, gathers them at Mizpah, offers a lamb and cries to the LORD as the Philistines come up, sets up Eben-ezer, and judges Israel all his days.

Mizpah, Eben-ezer and the yearly circuit

When the ark had abode at Kiriath-jearim twenty years, “all the house of Israel lamented after Jehovah. And Samuel spake unto all the house of Israel, saying, If ye do return unto Jehovah with all your heart, then put away the foreign gods and the Ashtaroth from among you, and direct your hearts unto Jehovah, and serve him only; and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines” (1 Samuel 7:2-3). They put away the Baalim and the Ashtaroth. “And Samuel said, Gather all Israel to Mizpah, and I will pray for you unto Jehovah” (1 Samuel 7:5); they drew water, poured it out before the LORD, fasted, and said, “We have sinned against Jehovah. And Samuel judged the children of Israel in Mizpah” (1 Samuel 7:6).

When the lords of the Philistines went up against them, Israel said, “Cease not to cry unto Jehovah our God for us” (1 Samuel 7:8). “And Samuel took a sucking lamb, and offered it for a whole burnt-offering unto Jehovah: and Samuel cried unto Jehovah for Israel; and Jehovah answered him” (1 Samuel 7:9). The LORD thundered with a great thunder upon the Philistines and they were smitten down before Israel.

“Then Samuel took a stone, and set it between Mizpah and Shen, and called the name of it Eben-ezer, saying, Hitherto hath Jehovah helped us” (1 Samuel 7:12). Of his life afterward: “And he went from year to year in circuit to Beth-el and Gilgal, and Mizpah; and he judged Israel in all those places. And his return was to Ramah, for there was his house; and there he judged Israel: and he built there an altar unto Jehovah” (1 Samuel 7:16-17).

Israel asks for a king (1 Samuel 8:1–22)

Samuel's sons take bribes at Beer-sheba, the elders ask for a king like all the nations, the LORD says it is He who is rejected, and Samuel warns them and rehearses their words to the LORD.

Israel asks for a king

“And it came to pass, when Samuel was old, that he made his sons judges over Israel” (1 Samuel 8:1), Joel and Abijah, in Beer-sheba. “And his sons walked not in his ways, but turned aside after lucre, and took bribes, and perverted justice” (1 Samuel 8:3). The elders came to Samuel at Ramah: “Behold, thou art old, and thy sons walk not in thy ways: now make us a king to judge us like all the nations” (1 Samuel 8:5).

“But the thing displeased Samuel, when they said, Give us a king to judge us. And Samuel prayed unto Jehovah. And Jehovah said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee; for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not be king over them” (1 Samuel 8:6-7). The LORD told him to protest solemnly and to show them “the manner of the king that shall reign over them” (1 Samuel 8:9).

Samuel told them the king would take their sons, their daughters, their fields, and the tenth of their seed and flocks, and “ye shall cry out in that day because of your king whom ye shall have chosen you; and Jehovah will not answer you in that day” (1 Samuel 8:18). “But the people refused to hearken unto the voice of Samuel; and they said, Nay: but we will have a king over us” (1 Samuel 8:19). “And Samuel heard all the words of the people, and he rehearsed them in the ears of Jehovah. And Jehovah said to Samuel, Hearken unto their voice, and make them a king” (1 Samuel 8:21-22).

Meets and anoints Saul (1 Samuel 9:1–10:1)

The LORD tells Samuel a day ahead that He will send a man of Benjamin; Samuel meets Saul at the gate, feasts him, sends him on at morning, and pours oil on his head.

Meets and anoints Saul

Saul, the son of Kish, a Benjamite, went seeking his father's lost donkeys and came to the city where Samuel was, whom the text calls the seer (1 Samuel 9:9, 9:18-19). “Now Jehovah had revealed unto Samuel a day before Saul came, saying, To-morrow about this time I will send thee a man out of the land of Benjamin, and thou shalt anoint him to be prince over my people Israel” (1 Samuel 9:15-16).

“And when Samuel saw Saul, Jehovah said unto him, Behold, the man of whom I spake to thee! this same shall have authority over my people” (1 Samuel 9:17). When Saul asked where the seer's house was, “Samuel answered Saul, and said, I am the seer; go up before me unto the high place, for ye shall eat with me to-day: and in the morning I will let thee go, and will tell thee all that is in thy heart” (1 Samuel 9:19). He told Saul that his donkeys were found, and seated him in the chiefest place among about thirty persons (1 Samuel 9:20-22).

At the end of the city Samuel said to Saul, “stand thou still first, that I may cause thee to hear the word of God” (1 Samuel 9:27). “Then Samuel took the vial of oil, and poured it upon his head, and kissed him, and said, Is it not that Jehovah hath anointed thee to be prince over his inheritance?” (1 Samuel 10:1).

Saul chosen at Mizpah (1 Samuel 10:17–27)

Samuel calls the people to Mizpah, tells them they have rejected their God, brings the tribes near until Saul is taken, and writes the manner of the kingdom in a book.

Farewell address at Gilgal (1 Samuel 11:14–15; 1 Samuel 12:1–25)

Samuel tells Israel he has made a king over them, asks them to witness against him, calls for thunder and rain, and promises not to cease praying for them.

Rebukes Saul at Gilgal (1 Samuel 13:8–15)

Saul waits seven days for Samuel, offers the burnt-offering himself, and Samuel arrives and tells him his kingdom shall not continue.

The command against Amalek (1 Samuel 15:1–35)

Samuel brings the LORD's command to destroy Amalek; Saul spares Agag and the best of the flocks, Samuel cries out all night, tells Saul the LORD has rejected him, hews Agag in pieces, and mourns for Saul.

The command against Amalek

“And Samuel said unto Saul, Jehovah sent me to anoint thee to be king over his people, over Israel: now therefore hearken thou unto the voice of the words of Jehovah” (1 Samuel 15:1), which was to go and “utterly destroy all that they have, and spare them not” (1 Samuel 15:3). Saul smote the Amalekites. “But Saul and the people spared Agag, and the best of the sheep, and of the oxen, and of the fatlings, and the lambs, and all that was good, and would not utterly destroy them” (1 Samuel 15:9).

“Then came the word of Jehovah unto Samuel, saying, It repenteth me that I have set up Saul to be king; for he is turned back from following me, and hath not performed my commandments. And Samuel was wroth; and he cried unto Jehovah all night” (1 Samuel 15:10-11). Saul met him with, “I have performed the commandment of Jehovah” (1 Samuel 15:13), and Samuel said, “What meaneth then this bleating of the sheep in mine ears, and the lowing of the oxen which I hear?” (1 Samuel 15:14). Saul answered that the people spared the best to sacrifice to the LORD.

“And Samuel said, Hath Jehovah as great delight in burnt-offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of Jehovah? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as idolatry and teraphim. Because thou hast rejected the word of Jehovah, he hath also rejected thee from being king” (1 Samuel 15:22-23). Saul said, “I have sinned” (1 Samuel 15:24); as Samuel turned to go, Saul laid hold upon the skirt of his robe, “and it rent. And Samuel said unto him, Jehovah hath rent the kingdom of Israel from thee this day, and hath given it to a neighbor of thine, that is better than thou” (1 Samuel 15:27-28).

Samuel turned again after Saul, and Saul worshipped the LORD. “Then said Samuel, Bring ye hither to me Agag the king of the Amalekites” (1 Samuel 15:32); and “Samuel hewed Agag in pieces before Jehovah in Gilgal” (1 Samuel 15:33). “Then Samuel went to Ramah … And Samuel came no more to see Saul until the day of his death; for Samuel mourned for Saul: and Jehovah repented that he had made Saul king over Israel” (1 Samuel 15:34-35).

Anoints David at Beth-lehem (1 Samuel 16:1–13)

The LORD asks how long Samuel will mourn for Saul and sends him to Jesse; Samuel is afraid of Saul, looks on Eliab, is told the LORD looks on the heart, and anoints the youngest son.

Anoints David at Beth-lehem

“And Jehovah said unto Samuel, How long wilt thou mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from being king over Israel? fill thy horn with oil, and go: I will send thee to Jesse the Beth-lehemite; for I have provided me a king among his sons” (1 Samuel 16:1). “And Samuel said, How can I go? if Saul hear it, he will kill me. And Jehovah said, Take a heifer with thee, and say, I am come to sacrifice to Jehovah” (1 Samuel 16:2).

Samuel did that which the LORD spoke, and came to Beth-lehem, where the elders came to meet him trembling. He sanctified Jesse and his sons and called them to the sacrifice. When he looked on Eliab he said, “Surely Jehovah’s anointed is before him” (1 Samuel 16:6). “But Jehovah said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have rejected him: for Jehovah seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but Jehovah looketh on the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7).

Jesse made seven of his sons pass before Samuel, and Samuel said, “Jehovah hath not chosen these.” (1 Samuel 16:10) Then he asked, “Are here all thy children?” (1 Samuel 16:11) and Jesse said that the youngest was keeping the sheep (1 Samuel 16:10-11). “And Jehovah said, Arise, anoint him; for this is he. Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the Spirit of Jehovah came mightily upon David from that day forward. So Samuel rose up, and went to Ramah” (1 Samuel 16:12-13).

David flees to Samuel at Naioth (1 Samuel 19:18–24)

David comes to Samuel at Ramah and they dwell at Naioth; Saul's messengers, and then Saul himself, prophesy there, where Samuel stands as head over the company of the prophets.

Samuel's death (1 Samuel 25:1)

Samuel dies, and all Israel gathers, laments him, and buries him in his house at Ramah.

Saul and the woman at En-dor (1 Samuel 28:3–20)

After Samuel's death Saul, unanswered by the LORD, goes by night to a woman at En-dor and asks her to bring up Samuel; Samuel speaks to him of the kingdom and of the morrow.

Saul and the woman at En-dor

“Now Samuel was dead, and all Israel had lamented him, and buried him in Ramah, even in his own city” (1 Samuel 28:3). The Philistines encamped at Shunem and Saul at Gilboa, and Saul was afraid. “And when Saul inquired of Jehovah, Jehovah answered him not, neither by dreams, nor by Urim, nor by prophets” (1 Samuel 28:6). He said to his servants, “Seek me a woman that hath a familiar spirit” (1 Samuel 28:7), and they told him of one at En-dor (1 Samuel 28:7).

Saul disguised himself and went to her by night with two men. “Then said the woman, Whom shall I bring up unto thee? And he said, Bring me up Samuel” (1 Samuel 28:11). “And when the woman saw Samuel, she cried with a loud voice” (1 Samuel 28:12); she said to Saul, “I see a god coming up out of the earth” (1 Samuel 28:13), and, “An old man cometh up; and he is covered with a robe. And Saul perceived that it was Samuel, and he bowed with his face to the ground, and did obeisance” (1 Samuel 28:14).

“And Samuel said to Saul, Why hast thou disquieted me, to bring me up?” (1 Samuel 28:15) Saul answered that he was sore distressed, “and God is departed from me” (1 Samuel 28:15). Samuel said, “Jehovah hath rent the kingdom out of thy hand, and given it to thy neighbor, even to David. Because thou obeyedst not the voice of Jehovah, and didst not execute his fierce wrath upon Amalek, therefore hath Jehovah done this thing unto thee this day” (1 Samuel 28:17-18). “Moreover Jehovah will deliver Israel also with thee into the hand of the Philistines; and to-morrow shalt thou and thy sons be with me” (1 Samuel 28:19).

“Then Saul fell straightway his full length upon the earth, and was sore afraid, because of the words of Samuel” (1 Samuel 28:20).

Hannah (1 Samuel 1:11; 1 Samuel 1:20–28; 1 Samuel 2:19)

She vowed a son to the LORD, called his name Samuel, and brought him to Eli; each year she brought him a little robe.

Elkanah (1 Samuel 1:1–2; 1 Samuel 1:19–23; 1 Chronicles 6:33–34)

Hannah's husband, of Ramah, who let her tarry until the child was weaned; Chronicles names Samuel the son of Elkanah.

Eli (1 Samuel 2:11; 1 Samuel 3:8–18)

The priest before whom the child ministered, who told him how to answer the LORD and received the whole word from him.

Joel and Abijah (1 Samuel 8:1–3; 1 Chronicles 6:28)

His first-born and second son, whom he made judges at Beer-sheba and who walked not in his ways.

The LORD (1 Samuel 3:4–21; 1 Samuel 8:7–22; 1 Samuel 16:1–13)

Called him, let none of his words fall to the ground, and told him to hearken to the people, to anoint Saul, and to anoint David.

Israel and its elders (1 Samuel 7:3–8; 1 Samuel 8:4–22; 1 Samuel 12:19–25)

The people he judged and prayed for, who asked him for a king and refused to hearken to his warning.

Saul (1 Samuel 10:1; 1 Samuel 15:26–35; 1 Samuel 28:15–19)

Samuel anointed him prince and later told him the LORD had rejected him; he came no more to see Saul, and mourned for him.

David (1 Samuel 16:12–13; 1 Samuel 19:18; 1 Chronicles 11:3)

Samuel anointed him in the midst of his brethren, and David later fled to him at Ramah.

Jesse (1 Samuel 16:1–11)

The Beth-lehemite whom Samuel called to the sacrifice and who made his sons pass before him.

Agag (1 Samuel 15:8–9; 1 Samuel 15:32–33)

The king of the Amalekites whom Saul spared and Samuel hewed in pieces before the LORD in Gilgal.

The company of the prophets (1 Samuel 19:18–24)

At Naioth they were seen prophesying with Samuel standing as head over them.

Major sections

• 1 Samuel 1–3
• 1 Samuel 7–8
• 1 Samuel 9–12
• 1 Samuel 13–15
• 1 Samuel 16
• 1 Samuel 19:18–24
• 1 Samuel 25:1
• 1 Samuel 28:3–20

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