Samuel

Portrait of Samuel

Samuel served as both prophet and judge during a pivotal time in Israel's history, bridging the era of the judges with the establishment of the monarchy. Dedicated to the Lord from his youth, he heard God's call as a boy in the tabernacle and later anointed Saul and then David as kings, setting the stage for the royal line through which the Messiah would come. Traditionally credited with authoring Judges, Ruth, and the early parts of the books that bear his name, Samuel exemplified faithful intercession and obedience, reminding the people that true security lay not in earthly rulers but in covenant faithfulness to God.

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Books written: Judges, Ruth, 1 Samuel, 2 Samuel

Read Through Samuel's Writings

80 chapters total

Judges

1 Israel's Failure to Conquer 2 The Angel at Bokim 3 Othniel, Ehud, and Shamgar 4 Deborah and Barak 5 The Song of Deborah 6 The Call of Gideon 7 Gideon Defeats Midian 8 Gideon's Later Years 9 Abimelech's Reign 10 Tola and Jair 11 Jephthah's Vow 12 Jephthah and Ephraim 13 The Birth of Samson 14 Samson's Marriage 15 Samson's Revenge 16 Samson and Delilah 17 Micah's Idols 18 The Danites Settle Laish 19 The Levite's Concubine 20 War Against Benjamin 21 Wives for the Benjamites

Ruth

1 Naomi and Ruth 2 Ruth Meets Boaz 3 Ruth at the Threshing Floor 4 Boaz Redeems Ruth

1 Samuel

1 The Birth of Samuel 2 Hannah's Prayer 3 The Lord Calls Samuel 4 The Ark Captured 5 The Ark Among the Philistines 6 The Ark Returned 7 Samuel Leads Israel 8 Israel Demands a King 9 Saul Meets Samuel 10 Saul Anointed King 11 Saul Rescues Jabesh-Gilead 12 Samuel's Farewell Speech 13 Saul's Unlawful Sacrifice 14 Jonathan's Brave Deed 15 Saul Rejected as King 16 David Anointed King 17 David and Goliath 18 David and Jonathan 19 Saul Tries to Kill David 20 David and Jonathan's Covenant 21 David at Nob 22 David at Adullam 23 David Saves Keilah 24 David Spares Saul 25 David, Nabal, and Abigail 26 David Spares Saul Again 27 David Among the Philistines 28 Saul and the Medium at Endor 29 The Philistines Reject David 30 David Destroys the Amalekites 31 The Death of Saul

2 Samuel

1 David Hears of Saul's Death 2 David Anointed King of Judah 3 War Between the Houses 4 The Murder of Ish-Bosheth 5 David King Over All Israel 6 The Ark Brought to Jerusalem 7 God's Covenant with David 8 David's Victories 9 David's Kindness to Mephibosheth 10 War with the Ammonites 11 David and Bathsheba 12 Nathan Rebukes David 13 Amnon and Tamar 14 Absalom Returns to Jerusalem 15 Absalom's Conspiracy 16 David Flees Jerusalem 17 Hushai's Counter-Counsel 18 The Death of Absalom 19 David Returns to Jerusalem 20 Sheba's Rebellion 21 The Gibeonites Avenged 22 David's Song of Praise 23 David's Last Words 24 David's Census

Key Passages

Hannah's Prayer

1 Samuel 2:1-10

A1nd Hannah prayed, and said, My heart rejoiceth in the LORD, mine horn is exalted in the LORD: my mouth is enlarged over mine enemies; because I rejoice in thy salvation.

2 There is none holy as the LORD: for there is none beside thee: neither is there any rock like our God. 3 Talk no more so exceeding proudly; let not arrogancy come out of your mouth: for the LORD is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed. 4 The bows of the mighty men are broken, and they that stumbled are girded with strength. 5 They that were full have hired out themselves for bread; and they that were hungry ceased: so that the barren hath born seven; and she that hath many children is waxed feeble. 6 The LORD killeth, and maketh alive: he bringeth down to the grave, and bringeth up. 7 The LORD maketh poor, and maketh rich: he bringeth low, and lifteth up. 8 He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill, to set them among princes, and to make them inherit the throne of glory: for the pillars of the earth are the LORDโ€™s, and he hath set the world upon them. 9 He will keep the feet of his saints, and the wicked shall be silent in darkness; for by strength shall no man prevail. 10 The adversaries of the LORD shall be broken to pieces; out of heaven shall he thunder upon them: the LORD shall judge the ends of the earth; and he shall give strength unto his king, and exalt the horn of his anointed.

God Looks at the Heart

1 Samuel 16:6-13

A6nd it came to pass, when they were come, that he looked on Eliab, and said, Surely the LORDโ€™s anointed is before him.

7 But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart. 8 Then Jesse called Abinadab, and made him pass before Samuel. And he said, Neither hath the LORD chosen this. 9 Then Jesse made Shammah to pass by. And he said, Neither hath the LORD chosen this. 10 Again, Jesse made seven of his sons to pass before Samuel. And Samuel said unto Jesse, The LORD hath not chosen these. 11 And Samuel said unto Jesse, Are here all thy children? And he said, There remaineth yet the youngest, and, behold, he keepeth the sheep. And Samuel said unto Jesse, Send and fetch him: for we will not sit down till he come hither. 12 And he sent, and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, and withal of a beautiful countenance, and goodly to look to. And the LORD said, Arise, anoint him: for this is he. 13 Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the Spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel rose up, and went to Ramah.

Where You Go I Will Go

Ruth 1:16-17

A16nd Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God:

17 Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the LORD do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me.