1Sm1 Samuel
The book of 1 Samuel marks one of the most decisive transitions in biblical history: Israel’s move from a tribal confederation, led by judges and local leaders, to the political centralization of the monarchy. Located in the Old Testament, among the Historical Books, 1 Samuel is not merely a record of ancient events; it is a theological work that interprets history in light of God’s faithfulness, human responsibility, and the spiritual effects of power.
Across its 31 chapters, the text follows three central figures—Samuel, Saul, and David—and shows how leadership in Israel is evaluated less by charisma, military strength, or popular approval and more by willingness to listen to and obey God. In this sense, the book of 1 Samuel offers a profound reflection on calling, character, repentance, and consequences. The implicit question running through the narratives is not only “who should rule?” but “what kind of king can lead the people with justice before God?”
The relevance of the book of 1 Samuel also stands out through its literary and moral contrasts: prayer and religious manipulation, courage and recklessness, humility and envy, trust and despair. The reader encounters songs, speeches, war scenes, palace intrigues, and moments of spiritual intimacy, all connected by one logic: God directs history and calls real people—with strengths and flaws—to respond in faith.
For this reason, studying the book of 1 Samuel is entering the biblical laboratory of leadership: there one learns that worship does not replace obedience, that power reveals the heart, and that Israel’s hope does not rest on human strategies, but on God’s faithful rule over his people.
| Item | Data |
|---|---|
| Testament | Old Testament |
| Category | Historical Books |
| Author (tradition) | Anonymous; associated with the prophetic tradition (with links to Samuel and later circles) |
| Period of writing (estimated) | c. 930–900 B.C. (based on traditions and historical composition) |
| Chapters | 31 |
| Original language | Hebrew |
| Central theme | The transition to the monarchy and God’s evaluation of leadership: obedience, rejection, and promise |
| Key verse | 1 Samuel 15:22 — “And Samuel said, ‘Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams.’” |
The book of 1 Samuel occupies a strategic place in Israel’s historical narrative. It closes the period of the judges (marked by decentralized leadership and instability) and inaugurates the royal era, with political, military, and religious implications. The text presents the monarchy as a response to internal tensions (tribal fragmentation) and external pressures (threats from neighboring peoples), but also as a spiritual test: the search for a king “like all the nations” can mean, in practice, replacing trust in God with institutional security.
Its main purpose is to narrate how Israel received its first king, why that king was rejected, and how God prepared a new leader. At the same time, the book teaches criteria for discernment: leadership is not legitimized merely by public acclamation, but by faithfulness and obedience.
The original recipients are broadly understood as the Israelite community in (and after) the period of monarchical consolidation, which needed to interpret its recent past and establish a theology of kingship: the king is not absolute; he is accountable to the God of the covenant.
Ancient tradition often associates Samuel-related material with Samuel and with prophetic circles that preserved records, memories, and royal documents. However, the final text of 1 Samuel is anonymous: it does not identify its author and shows signs of composition from sources and traditions.
In mainstream academic debate, 1 Samuel is commonly studied as part of the combined work 1–2 Samuel (and in many studies, connected to the historical block that includes Kings). This approach observes:
Some textual indicators help situate the book’s formation:
The date c. 930–900 B.C. is often proposed in traditional chronological lines, related to the early centuries of the consolidated monarchy. Many studies also allow that the final text may have gone through editorial processes over time, preserving ancient traditions and organizing them into a coherent theological account.
The events of 1 Samuel occur at the end of the period of the judges and the beginning of the monarchy (approximately between the 11th and 10th centuries B.C.). It is a time of:
The major recurring antagonist is Philistine power, presented as a structured military threat. Philistine pressure helps explain the desire for centralization and for a leader capable of unifying the tribes in campaign.
Besides the Philistines, there are tensions with Ammonites, Amalekites, and other regional groups. The setting is one of unstable alliances, territorial wars, and disputes over routes.
Religiously, the book portrays worship coexisting with problems of corruption and formalism. The priesthood at Shiloh appears compromised, and the prophetic figure gains prominence as a voice of correction and guidance.
A clear way to follow the book of 1 Samuel is to divide it into major narrative blocks:
Samuel’s birth and call (1–3)
Priestly crisis, Hannah’s prayer, Samuel’s growth, and his prophetic calling.
Conflicts with the Philistines and spiritual reorganization (4–7)
The ark, defeat and restoration, and Samuel’s role as judge and spiritual leader.
The establishment of the monarchy and Saul’s rise (8–12)
Request for a king, Saul’s selection, and his public confirmation.
Saul’s decline and divine rejection (13–15)
Decisive acts of disobedience, culminating in 1 Samuel 15.
David’s rise and tension with Saul (16–20)
David’s anointing, Goliath, popularity, and the beginning of persecution.
David as a fugitive and Saul’s unraveling (21–31)
Refuges, alliances, family tragedies, and the end of Saul’s reign.
| Block | Chapters | Emphasis |
|---|---|---|
| Samuel emerges | 1–3 | God raises up a prophet in times of crisis |
| Ark and restoration | 4–7 | Judgment, repentance, and spiritual renewal |
| Monarchy begins | 8–12 | The king as political response and spiritual test |
| Saul falls | 13–15 | Obedience vs. religious pragmatism |
| David rises | 16–20 | Heart, courage, and conflict at court |
| Flight and end | 21–31 | Survival, ethics under pressure, and final tragedy |
1) Hannah, Eli, and Samuel’s birth (1–2)
Hannah, in deep distress because she has no children, prays and makes a vow. God grants her Samuel, who is dedicated to service at the sanctuary. Hannah’s song exalts God’s reversal: God brings down the proud and lifts up the humble. In contrast, Eli’s sons are portrayed as corrupt in their priestly service.
2) Samuel’s call and the priesthood crisis (3)
Samuel is called while still young. The message announces judgment against the house of Eli. The prophet comes to be recognized as a trustworthy spokesman, establishing a new center of spiritual authority.
3) The ark, the Philistines, and restoration (4–7)
Israel suffers military defeat, and the ark is captured, creating a national crisis. Among the Philistines, the ark becomes a sign of judgment, and they return it. Samuel calls the people to repentance and renewed loyalty; Israel experiences military relief and relative stability.
4) The request for a king and the political transition (8–12)
The people ask for a king. Samuel warns of the costs and abuses of royal power, but the monarchy is established. Saul is chosen and confirmed, and Samuel reaffirms the king’s and the people’s responsibility before God.
5) Saul’s first failures and rejection (13–15)
Saul faces military pressure and makes decisions that reveal impatience and spiritual independence. The climax occurs in the campaign against the Amalekites: Saul spares what he should destroy and tries to justify himself religiously. The rejection is made explicit with the statement that obedience is better than sacrifice.
6) David’s anointing and the confrontation with Goliath (16–17)
God directs Samuel to anoint David. The contrast with Saul intensifies: God sees the heart. David defeats Goliath not by superior weaponry, but by trust in God, becoming a public figure.
7) Friendship with Jonathan and Saul’s persecution (18–20)
David’s popularity awakens jealousy. Jonathan, Saul’s son, makes a covenant of friendship with David, protecting him. The family and political conflict intensifies.
8) David the fugitive: refuges, failures, and preservation (21–30)
David flees, seeks food and shelter, forms a group of followers, and lives in difficult territories. There are episodes of ethical tension and survival. In two striking moments, David spares Saul when he could have killed him, reinforcing the idea that he will not take the throne by violent usurpation.
9) Saul’s collapse and death (28–31)
Saul, in despair, seeks guidance illicitly and loses his way. The war against the Philistines ends tragically: Saul and his sons die, ending his reign and preparing the transition to David.
The book emphasizes that religious practices do not replace concrete faithfulness. Saul’s crisis illustrates how sacrifices can become a justification for disobedience.
The plot shows God directing events through human choices, wars, alliances, and downfalls. Human power does not control the final outcome.
1 Samuel contrasts leadership based on appearance, strength, and popular acceptance with leadership shaped by integrity and the fear of God.
Saul’s decline is also psychological and moral: fear of losing power produces paranoia, violence, and injustice.
David is not presented as ready-made: he is formed in the field, in conflicts, flights, and hard decisions, learning ethical boundaries.
Samuel represents the word that confronts the king. The book maintains that political authority must be held accountable before God.
1 Samuel 2:2 — “There is none holy like the LORD: for there is none besides you; there is no rock like our God.”
Context: Hannah’s song. Meaning: God’s holiness and stability contrast with human instability.
1 Samuel 3:10 — “Speak, for your servant hears.”
Context: Samuel’s call. Meaning: the ideal posture of listening and submitting to divine direction.
1 Samuel 7:3 — “If you are returning to the LORD with all your heart, then put away the foreign gods and the Ashtaroth from among you and direct your heart to the LORD and serve him only…”
Context: national renewal. Meaning: repentance involves exclusivity and concrete action.
1 Samuel 8:7 — “And the LORD said to Samuel, ‘Obey the voice of the people in all that they say to you, for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected me from being king over them.’”
Context: request for a king. Meaning: the political demand has a spiritual dimension.
1 Samuel 12:24 — “Only fear the LORD and serve him faithfully with all your heart. For consider what great things he has done for you.”
Context: Samuel’s speech. Meaning: faithfulness is a grateful response to God’s actions.
1 Samuel 13:14 — “But now your kingdom shall not continue. The LORD has sought out a man after his own heart…”
Context: announcement of the end of Saul’s dynasty. Meaning: God’s criterion for leadership is inward, not merely functional.
1 Samuel 15:22 — “To obey is better than sacrifice…”
Context: Saul’s rejection. Meaning: the ethical and spiritual priority of obedience.
1 Samuel 16:7 — “…For the LORD sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart.”
Context: David’s anointing. Meaning: God evaluates by deeper criteria than appearance.
1 Samuel 17:47 — “…for the battle is the LORD’s…”
Context: David before Goliath. Meaning: victory depends on God, not weaponry or statistics.
1 Samuel 24:6 — “The LORD forbid that I should do this thing to my lord, the LORD’s anointed, to put out my hand against him…”
Context: David spares Saul. Meaning: ethical limits in the use of force and refusal to seize power by shortcuts.
The book of 1 Samuel remains timely because it addresses structural issues of human life: leadership, ambition, fear, religious manipulation, character formation, and hope. In societies that value performance and image, 1 Samuel insists that the center of evaluation is the heart—that is, intentions, faithfulness, and consistency.
Some recurring contemporary applications:
What is the main theme of 1 Samuel?
Israel’s transition to the monarchy and the evaluation of leadership on the basis of obedience and faithfulness to God.
Who wrote the book of 1 Samuel?
The text is anonymous. Tradition associates it with Samuel and prophetic circles, but the final form reflects compilation and editing of traditions.
When was 1 Samuel written?
A traditional estimated date is c. 930–900 B.C., with the possibility of editorial processes over time.
How many chapters does 1 Samuel have?
31 chapters.
What is the key verse of 1 Samuel?
1 Samuel 15:22: “To obey is better than sacrifice…”.
Is 1 Samuel in the Old or New Testament?
In the Old Testament.
Why is 1 Samuel important for understanding Israel’s history?
Because it explains how Israel moved from a tribal model to a monarchy, showing the spiritual and political tensions involved.
What is the difference between Samuel, Saul, and David in the book?
Samuel represents prophetic authority; Saul is the first king and his decline illustrates disobedience; David is the anointed one who grows in character and leadership.
What does “a man after God’s own heart” mean?
It indicates someone aligned with God’s purposes and willing to obey, in contrast to decisions driven by fear, appearance, or self-preservation.
What is the central message of 1 Samuel 15?
That religiosity without obedience is insufficient; Saul tries to justify disobedience with sacrifices, but he is confronted and rejected.
Why did the people ask for a king in 1 Samuel 8?
Out of insecurity, the desire to be like other nations, and the need for military and political leadership; the text treats this request as spiritually ambiguous.
What is Hannah’s importance at the beginning of the book?
Hannah introduces themes of the book: God hears cries, reverses situations, and raises up unexpected leaders.
Why didn’t David kill Saul when he had the opportunity?
Because he refused to seize power through a violent shortcut and recognized ethical limits related to “the LORD’s anointed.”
How does the book of 1 Samuel describe Saul’s fall?
As a process: impatient choices, disobedience, growing insecurity, jealousy, and finally, despair.
What is a good way to do a group study of 1 Samuel?
Divide by narrative blocks, observe decisions and consequences, and discuss how the book defines legitimate leadership (character, obedience, and responsibility).