1 Samuel: A Chapter-by-Chapter Summary

Read 1 Samuel one chapter at a time, following what happens and why it matters.

About 1 SamuelPermalink

1 Samuel follows Israel’s transition from judges to kings, contrasting Saul’s failure with David’s rise under God’s purposes.

Testament

Old Testament

Genre

Historical narrative

Chapters

31

Chapter index

1 Samuel, chapter by chapterPermalink

Choose a chapter to open the complete summary, meaning, and key verse.

01

Samuel and IsraelPermalink

1 Samuel 1–7 · Samuel’s birth, calling, and leadership

• Chapter 1 →
• Chapter 2 →
• Chapter 3 →
• Chapter 4 →
• Chapter 5 →
• Chapter 6 →
• Chapter 7 →

02

Saul’s kingdomPermalink

1 Samuel 8–15 · Israel asks for a king and Saul is rejected

• Chapter 8 →
• Chapter 9 →
• Chapter 10 →
• Chapter 11 →
• Chapter 12 →
• Chapter 13 →
• Chapter 14 →
• Chapter 15 →

03

David’s risePermalink

1 Samuel 16–31 · David is anointed, Saul declines, and conflict grows

• Chapter 16 →
• Chapter 17 →
• Chapter 18 →
• Chapter 19 →
• Chapter 20 →
• Chapter 21 →
• Chapter 22 →
• Chapter 23 →
• Chapter 24 →
• Chapter 25 →
• Chapter 26 →
• Chapter 27 →
• Chapter 28 →
• Chapter 29 →
• Chapter 30 →
• Chapter 31 →

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