- 1 1 Samuel 1 1 Royal spectacle and national triumph are held back at the threshold of Samuel in favor of a wounded household that already gathers up many of the tensions that will shape the book: worship and grief, remembered sanctuary piety and hidden domestic rivalry, barrenness and future hope. Elkanah's family goes up year by year to Shiloh to worship and sacrifice to YHWH of hosts, so the scene is framed from the start by regular covenant devotion. Yet within that apparently ordered life Hannah bears the sharper burden. Peninnah has children, Hannah does not, and the narrator states plainly that YHWH has closed her womb. It therefore does not treat Hannah's sorrow as random misfortune alone. Her emptiness stands inside Israel's worshiping life and under the providence of the God to whom the family ascends. Peninnah's provocation then turns barrenness into social humiliation, so that Samuel begins with a faithful woman brought low in the very place where divine help ought to be sought. From that affliction the narrative moves into one of the Hebrew Bible's most searching portraits of silent prayer. Hannah rises after the meal at Shiloh, bitter in soul, and prays before YHWH with tears and a vow. Her petition is intensely personal, but it is also already consecratory. If YHWH will look, remember, and give her a male child, she will give him back to YHWH all the days of his life, and no razor will come upon his head. The child she asks for is therefore requested not as private possession alone but as one destined for divine service. Eli's misreading of her silent prayer as drunkenness sharpens the narrative's drama. Outwardly she looks disordered, yet inwardly she is pouring out her soul before YHWH. Once her speech is heard and clarified, Eli blesses her, and the narrative turns on that shift from misunderstood anguish to peace-bearing word. Hannah leaves, eats, and her face is no longer cast down as before. It then carries the prayer into fulfillment and dedication. YHWH remembers Hannah; she conceives, bears Samuel, and names him in relation to her asking from YHWH. Yet the real force of the narrative lies not simply in the child's birth but in Hannah's faithfulness to the vow after the gift has been granted. She delays her return to Shiloh only until the boy is weaned, then brings him with sacrificial provisions to the house of YHWH and presents him to Eli as the child for whom she prayed and whom YHWH has given. Her final speech makes the narrative's theology explicit: the son requested from YHWH is now handed over to YHWH. First Samuel 1 therefore binds household sorrow, annual sanctuary worship, bitter prayer, remembered divine attention, fulfilled petition, and vowed dedication into a threshold narrative for the whole book. Before Samuel will speak for God, judge Israel, anoint kings, and witness the transfer of rule, he is introduced as the child given through a barren woman's prayer and returned to YHWH's service at Shiloh.
- 2 1 Samuel 2 2 1 Samuel 2 (36 verses in the MT) opens: And Hannah prayed, and said, My heart rejoiceth in YHWH, mine horn is exalted in YHWH: my mouth is enlarged over mine enemies; because I rejoice in your salvation. The middle of the chapter continues: Moreover his mother made him a little coat, and brought to him from year to year, when she came up with her husband to offer the yearly sacrifice. It closes: And it shall come to pass, every one that is left in your house shall come crouch to him for a piece of silver and a morsel of bread, and shall say, Put me, I pray you, into one of the priests' offices, that I may eat a.
- 3 1 Samuel 3 3 1 Samuel 3 (21 verses in the MT) opens: And the child Samuel ministered to YHWH before Eli. And the word of YHWH was precious in those days; no open vision. The middle of the chapter continues: And YHWH said to Samuel, Behold, I will do a thing in Israel, at which both the ears of every one that heareth it shall tingle. It closes: And YHWH appeared again in Shiloh: for YHWH revealed himself to Samuel in Shiloh by the word of YHWH.
- 4 1 Samuel 4 4 1 Samuel 4 (22 verses in the MT) opens: And the word of Samuel came to all Israel. Now Israel went out against the Philistines to battle, and pitched beside Ebenezer: and the Philistines pitched in Aphek. The middle of the chapter continues: And there ran a man of Benjamin out of the army, and came to Shiloh the same day with his clothes rent, and with earth upon his head. It closes: And she said, The glory is departed from Israel: for the ark of God is taken.
- 5 1 Samuel 5 5 1 Samuel 5 (12 verses in the MT) opens: And the Philistines took the ark of God, and brought it from Ebenezer to Ashdod. The middle of the chapter continues: And when the men of Ashdod saw that so, they said, The ark of the God of Israel shall not abide with us: for his hand is sore upon us, and upon Dagon our god. It closes: And the men that died not were smitten with the emerods: and the cry of the city went up to heaven.
- 6 1 Samuel 6 6 1 Samuel 6 (21 verses in the MT) opens: And the ark of YHWH was in the country of the Philistines seven months. The middle of the chapter continues: And they laid the ark of YHWH upon the cart, and the coffer with the mice of gold and the images of their emerods. It closes: And they sent messengers to the inhabitants of Kirjathjearim, saying, The Philistines have brought again the ark of YHWH; come you down, fetch it up to you.
- 7 1 Samuel 7 7 1 Samuel 7 (17 verses in the MT) opens: And the men of Kirjathjearim came, and fetched up the ark of YHWH, and brought it into the house of Abinadab in the hill, and sanctified Eleazar his son to keep the ark of YHWH. The middle of the chapter continues: And Samuel took a sucking lamb, and offered a burnt offering wholly to YHWH: and Samuel cried to YHWH for Israel; and YHWH heard him. It closes: And his return to Ramah; for there his house; and there he judged Israel; and there he built an altar to YHWH.
- 8 1 Samuel 8 8 1 Samuel 8 (22 verses in the MT) opens: And it came to pass, when Samuel was old, that he made his sons judges over Israel. The middle of the chapter continues: And he will appoint him captains over thousands, and captains over fifties; and to ear his ground, and to reap his harvest, and to make his instruments of war, and instruments of his chariots. It closes: And YHWH said to Samuel, Hearken to their voice, and make them a king. And Samuel said to the men of Israel, Go you every man to his city.
- 9 1 Samuel 9 9 1 Samuel 9 (27 verses in the MT) opens: Now there was a man of Benjamin, whose name Kish, the son of Abiel, the son of Zeror, the son of Bechorath, the son of Aphiah, a Benjamite, a mighty man of power. The middle of the chapter continues: And they went up into the city: when they were come into the city, behold, Samuel came out against them, for to go up to the high place. It closes: as they were going down to the end of the city, Samuel said to Saul, Bid the servant pass on before us, (and he passed on,) but stand you still a while, that I may shew you the word of God.
- 10 1 Samuel 10 10 1 Samuel 10 (27 verses in the MT) opens: Then Samuel took a vial of oil, and poured upon his head, and kissed him, and said, not because YHWH has anointed you captain over his inheritance? The middle of the chapter continues: And Saul's uncle said to him and to his servant, Whither went you? And he said, To seek the asses: and when we saw that no where, we came to Samuel. It closes: But the children of Belial said, How shall this man save us? And they despised him, and brought him no presents. But he held his peace.
- 11 1 Samuel 11 11 1 Samuel 11 (15 verses in the MT) opens: Then Nahash the Ammonite came up, and encamped against Jabeshgilead: and all the men of Jabesh said to Nahash, Make a covenant with us, and we will serve you. The middle of the chapter continues: And when he numbered them in Bezek, the children of Israel were three hundred thousand, and the men of Judah thirty thousand. It closes: And all the people went to Gilgal; and there they made Saul king before YHWH in Gilgal; and there they sacrificed sacrifices of peace offerings before YHWH; and there Saul and all the men of Israel rejoiced greatly.
- 12 1 Samuel 12 12 1 Samuel 12 (25 verses in the MT) opens: And Samuel said to all Israel, Behold, I have hearkened to your voice in all that you said to me, and have made a king over you. The middle of the chapter continues: Now therefore behold the king whom you have chosen, whom you have desired! and, behold, YHWH has set a king over you. It closes: But if you shall still do wickedly, you shall be consumed, both you and your king.
- 13 1 Samuel 13 13 1 Samuel 13 (23 verses in the MT) opens: Saul reigned one year; and when he had reigned two years over Israel, The middle of the chapter continues: Therefore said I, The Philistines will come down now upon me to Gilgal, and I have not made supplication to YHWH: I forced myself therefore, and offered a burnt offering. It closes: And the garrison of the Philistines went out to the passage of Michmash.
- 14 1 Samuel 14 14 1 Samuel 14 (52 verses in the MT) opens: Now it came to pass upon a day, that Jonathan the son of Saul said to the young man that bare his armour, Come, and let us go over to the Philistines' garrison, that on the other side. But he told not his father. The middle of the chapter continues: But Jonathan heard not when his father charged the people with the oath: wherefore he put forth the end of the rod that in his hand, and dipped it in an honeycomb, and put his hand to his mouth; and his eyes were. It closes: And there was sore war against the Philistines all the days of Saul: and when Saul saw any strong man, or any valiant man, he took him to him.
- 15 1 Samuel 15 15 1 Samuel 15 (35 verses in the MT) opens: Samuel also said to Saul, YHWH sent me to anoint you king over his people, over Israel: now therefore hearken you to the voice of the words of YHWH. The middle of the chapter continues: And YHWH sent you on a journey, and said, Go and utterly destroy the sinners the Amalekites, and fight against them until they be consumed. It closes: And Samuel came no more to see Saul until the day of his death: nevertheless Samuel mourned for Saul: and YHWH repented that he had made Saul king over Israel.
- 16 1 Samuel 16 16 1 Samuel 16 (23 verses in the MT) opens: And YHWH said to Samuel, How long will you mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel? fill your horn with oil, and go, I will send you to Jesse the Bethlehemite: for I have provided me a king. The middle of the chapter continues: And he sent, and brought him in. Now he ruddy, withal of a beautiful countenance, and goodly to look to. And YHWH said, Arise, anoint him: for this he. It closes: And it came to pass, when the spirit from God was upon Saul, that David took an harp, and played with his hand: so Saul was refreshed, and was well, and the evil spirit departed from him.
- 17 1 Samuel 17 17 1 Samuel 17 (58 verses in the MT) opens: Now the Philistines gathered together their armies to battle, and were gathered together at Shochoh, which to Judah, and pitched between Shochoh and Azekah, in Ephesdammim. The middle of the chapter continues: And he turned from him toward another, and spake after the same manner: and the people answered him again after the former manner. It closes: And Saul said to him, Whose son you, young man? And David answered, I the son of your servant Jesse the Bethlehemite.
- 18 1 Samuel 18 18 1 Samuel 18 (30 verses in the MT) opens: And it came to pass, when he had made an end of speaking to Saul, that the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul. The middle of the chapter continues: But all Israel and Judah loved David, because he went out and came in before them. It closes: Then the princes of the Philistines went forth: and it came to pass, after they went forth, David behaved himself more wisely than all the servants of Saul; so that his name was much set by.
- 19 1 Samuel 19 19 1 Samuel 19 (24 verses in the MT) opens: And Saul spake to Jonathan his son, and to all his servants, that they should kill David. The middle of the chapter continues: And Michal took an image, and laid in the bed, and put a pillow of goats' for his bolster, and covered with a cloth. It closes: And he stripped off his clothes also, and prophesied before Samuel in like manner, and lay down naked all that day and all that night. Wherefore they say, Saul also among the prophets?
- 20 1 Samuel 20 20 1 Samuel 20 (42 verses in the MT) opens: And David fled from Naioth in Ramah, and came and said before Jonathan, What have I done? what mine iniquity? and what my sin before your father, that he seeketh my life? The middle of the chapter continues: But if I say thus to the young man, Behold, the arrows beyond you; go your way: for YHWH has sent you away. It closes: And Jonathan said to David, Go in peace, forasmuch as we have sworn both of us in the name of YHWH, saying, YHWH be between me and you, and between my seed and your seed for ever.
- 21 1 Samuel 21 21 1 Samuel 21 (16 verses in the MT) opens: And he arose and departed: and Jonathan went into the city. The middle of the chapter continues: And David said to Ahimelech, And is there not here under your hand spear or sword? for I have neither brought my sword nor my weapons with me, because the king's business required haste. It closes: Have I need of mad men, that you have brought this to play the mad man in my presence? shall this come into my house?
- 22 1 Samuel 22 22 1 Samuel 22 (23 verses in the MT) opens: David therefore departed thence, and escaped to the cave Adullam: and when his brethren and all his father's house heard , they went down thither to him. The middle of the chapter continues: And Saul said, Hear now, you son of Ahitub. And he answered, Here I , my lord. It closes: Abide you with me, fear not: for he that seeketh my life seeketh your life: but with me you in safeguard.
- 23 1 Samuel 23 23 1 Samuel 23 (28 verses in the MT) opens: Then they told David, saying, Behold, the Philistines fight against Keilah, and they rob the threshingfloors. The middle of the chapter continues: And David saw that Saul was come out to seek his life: and David in the wilderness of Ziph in a wood. It closes: Wherefore Saul returned from pursuing after David, and went against the Philistines: therefore they called that place Selahammahlekoth.
- 24 1 Samuel 24 24 1 Samuel 24 (23 verses in the MT) opens: And David went up from thence, and dwelt in strong holds at Engedi. The middle of the chapter continues: Moreover, my father, see, yea, see the skirt of your robe in my hand: for in that I cut off the skirt of your robe, and killed you not, know you and see that neither evil nor transgression in mine hand, and I have not. It closes: And David sware to Saul. And Saul went home; but David and his men gat them up to the hold.
- 25 1 Samuel 25 25 1 Samuel 25 (44 verses in the MT) opens: And Samuel died; and all the Israelites were gathered together, and lamented him, and buried him in his house at Ramah. And David arose, and went down to the wilderness of Paran. The middle of the chapter continues: And when Abigail saw David, she hasted, and lighted off the ass, and fell before David on her face, and bowed herself to the ground, It closes: But Saul had given Michal his daughter, David's wife, to Phalti the son of Laish, which of Gallim.
- 26 1 Samuel 26 26 1 Samuel 26 (25 verses in the MT) opens: And the Ziphites came to Saul to Gibeah, saying, Doth not David hide himself in the hill of Hachilah, before Jeshimon? The middle of the chapter continues: Then David went over to the other side, and stood on the top of an hill afar off; a great space between them: It closes: Then Saul said to David, Blessed you, my son David: you shall both do great , and also shall still prevail. So David went on his way, and Saul returned to his place.
- 27 1 Samuel 27 27 1 Samuel 27 (12 verses in the MT) opens: And David said in his heart, I shall now perish one day by the hand of Saul: nothing better for me than that I should speedily escape into the land of the Philistines; and Saul shall despair of me, to seek me any more. The middle of the chapter continues: And the time that David dwelt in the country of the Philistines was a full year and four months. It closes: And Achish believed David, saying, He has made his people Israel utterly to abhor him; therefore he shall be my servant for ever.
- 28 1 Samuel 28 28 1 Samuel 28 (25 verses in the MT) opens: And it came to pass in those days, that the Philistines gathered their armies together for warfare, to fight with Israel. And Achish said to David, Know you assuredly, that you shall go out with me to battle, you and. The middle of the chapter continues: And the king said to her, Be not afraid: for what sawest you? And the woman said to Saul, I saw gods ascending out of the earth. It closes: And she brought before Saul, and before his servants; and they did eat. Then they rose up, and went away that night.
- 29 1 Samuel 29 29 1 Samuel 29 (11 verses in the MT) opens: Now the Philistines gathered together all their armies to Aphek: and the Israelites pitched by a fountain which in Jezreel. The middle of the chapter continues: Then Achish called David, and said to him, Surely, YHWH liveth, you have been upright, and your going out and your coming in with me in the host good in my sight: for I have not found evil in you since the day of your. It closes: So David and his men rose up early to depart in the morning, to return into the land of the Philistines. And the Philistines went up to Jezreel.
- 30 1 Samuel 30 30 1 Samuel 30 (31 verses in the MT) opens: And it came to pass, when David and his men were come to Ziklag on the third day, that the Amalekites had invaded the south, and Ziklag, and smitten Ziklag, and burned it with fire; The middle of the chapter continues: And when he had brought him down, behold, spread abroad upon all the earth, eating and drinking, and dancing, because of all the great spoil that they had taken out of the land of the Philistines, and out of the land of. It closes: And to which in Hebron, and to all the places where David himself and his men were wont to haunt.
- 31 1 Samuel 31 31 1 Samuel 31 (13 verses in the MT) opens: Now the Philistines fought against Israel: and the men of Israel fled from before the Philistines, and fell down slain in mount Gilboa. The middle of the chapter continues: And when the men of Israel that on the other side of the valley, and that on the other side Jordan, saw that the men of Israel fled, and that Saul and his sons were dead, they forsook the cities, and fled; and the. It closes: And they took their bones, and buried under a tree at Jabesh, and fasted seven days.