Samuel

Samuel
1. Hannah Prays For A Son
2. Hannah Has A Son
3. Hannah's Prayer
4. Eli's Sons
5. Samuel Ministered Before The Lord
6. Eli And His Sons
7. Eli Is Warned About His Sons
8. The Lord Speaks To Samuel
9. Israel Takes The Ark Of God Into Battle
10. Hearing That The Ark Has Been Captured, Eli Dies
11. The Philistines Take The Ark Of God
12. The Philistines Send The Ark Back To Israel
13. Samuel Calls The People Of Israel To Repentance
14. The People Ask For A King
15. Saul Looks For His Fathers Donkeys
16. Samuel Invites Saul To Eat With Him And Spend The Night
17. Samuel Anoints Saul As Ruler Over Israel
18. God Changes Saul's Heart
19. Samuel Presents Saul To The People
20. Saul Is Publicly Acclaimed King
21. Samuel Asks The People If He Has Done Them Any Wrong
22. Saul Leads Israel Against The Philistines
23. Jonathan's Bravery
24. Saul Tells Israel Not Eat Until They Have Won The Battle
25. To Obey Is Better Than Sacrifice
26. The Lord Sends Samuel To Anoint The Next King
27. An Evil Spirit Comes Over Saul
28. Goliath's Challenge

1. Hannah Prays For A Son - Back to Page Index
1 Samuel 1:1-18
There was a man of Ramathaimzophim from the hill country of Ephraim by the name of Elkanah. He was the son of Jeroham, the son of Elihu, the son of Tohu, the son of Zuph, an Ephrathite. He had two wives, Hannah and Peninnah. Peninnah had children but Hannah did not. Elkanah left home each year to go up to Shiloh and sacrifice to the LORD. At that time Eli's two sons, Hophni and Phinehas were priests to the LORD. When Elkanah sacrificed he would give portions to Peninnah and her sons and daughters, but to Hannah he would give a double portion, for he loved her even though the LORD had closed her womb. Her rival would bitterly provoke her over the fact that she had no children. Every year the family went up to the house of the LORD and Peninnah would provoke Hannah so that she wept and would not eat. Elkanah would ask her, "Hannah, why do you cry? Why don't you eat? Am I not better then ten sons?" Then Hannah got up after eating and drinking.

Now Eli the priest was sitting on the seat by the door post of the house of God. Hannah was near by, greatly distressed and weeping bitterly as she prayed to the LORD. She made a vow, saying, "O LORD of Hosts, if You will notice my affliction and remember me and give me a son, I will give him to You all the days of his life, and a razor shall never come upon his head."

As she continued praying before the LORD, Eli watched her mouth moving. She was speaking in her heart and her lips were moving without making any sound. Eli thought she was drunk. Calling to her, he said, "How long will you make yourself drunk? Put away the wine." But Hannah replied, "No, my lord, I am oppressed in spirit. I have not drunk wine or strong drink, but I am pouring out my heart before the LORD. Do not think of me as a worthless woman. I am speaking out of great concern and provocation." Then Eli said to her, "Go in peace. May the God of Israel grant what you have asked of Him." She said, "Please let your maidservant find favor in your sight." So she went on her way and ate, and was no longer sad.

2. Hannah Has A Son - Back to Page Index
1 Samuel 1:19-28
The next morning they arose early and worshiped before the LORD, and then returned to their house in Ramah. Elkanah had relations with Hannah and the LORD remembered her. It came about in due time after she had conceived, that she gave birth to a son. She named him Samuel, because she had asked for him from the LORD.

The next year Elkanah went up with his family to offer to the LORD the yearly sacrifice and pay his vow. But Hannah did not go up, for she said to her husband, "I will not go up until the child is weaned. Then I will take him up and present him to the LORD that he may stay there forever." Elkanah said to her, "Do what seems best to you. Wait until he is weaned and may the LORD confirm His word. So Hannah remained and nursed her son until he was weaned."

After she had weaned him, she took him with her, along with a three year old bull, an ephah of flour and a jug of wine. She brought him to the house of the LORD at Shiloh. The child was young.

They slaughtered the bull and brought the boy to Eli. She said to him, "O my lord! I am the woman who stood here beside you praying to the LORD. I prayed for this boy and the LORD has given him to me. So I have dedicated him to the LORD for as long as he shall live. And they worshiped the LORD there."

3. Hannah's Prayer - Back to Page Index
1 Samuel 2:1-11
Then Hannah prayed, saying, "My heart exults in the LORD. My horn is exulted in the LORD. I speak boldly against my enemies, because I rejoice in Your salvation. There is no one holy like the LORD. Indeed, there is no one besides You. Neither is there a rock like our God. Be not proud or let arrogance proceed from your mouth; For the LORD is a God of knowledge and by Him actions are weighed. The bows of the mighty are shattered while the feeble are clothed with strength. Those who were full now look for a Job so they can eat, and those who were formerly hungry are hungry no more. Even the barren give birth to seven, but she who has many children grows weak. The LORD kills and He makes alive. He brings down to the grave and He raises up. The LORD makes some poor and others rich. He brings low and He also exalts. He raises the poor from the dust, He lifts the needy from the ash heap and makes them sit with nobles, so that they inherit a seat of honor. The pillars of the earth are the LORD's and He sets the world on them. He keeps the feet of the godly but the wicked are silenced in darkness. A man does not prevail by his might. Those who contend with the LORD shall be broken, for He will thunder against them from heaven. The LORD will judge the ends of the earth and give strength to His king, exalting the horn of His anointed." Elkanah went home to Ramah, but the boy remained with Eli the priest to minister to the LORD.

4. Eli's Sons - Back to Page Index
1 Samuel 2:12-17
Now the sons of Eli were worthless men, for they did not know the LORD. It was the custom that when any man offered a sacrifice, the priest's servant would come with a three pronged fork in his hand while the meat was boiling. He would thrust the fork into whatever the meat was cooking in and all that the fork brought up the priest would take for himself. This was done to all the Israelites who came to Shiloh. Before the fat had been burned the priest's servant would demand that some of the raw meat be given to him so it could be roasted instead of boiled. If the man making the sacrifice insisted on burning the fat before giving some of the meat to the servant, the meat would be taken by force. So the sin of Eli's sons was very great before the LORD because they despised the offering made to Him.

5. Samuel Ministered Before The Lord - Back to Page Index
1 Samuel 2:18-21
Now Samuel was ministering before the LORD and as a boy he wore a linen ephod. Each year his mother made him a little robe and brought it to him when she came with her husband to offer the yearly sacrifice. Then Eli would bless Elkanah and his wife, saying, "May the LORD give you children in place of the one she has dedicated to the LORD." Then they would go home to Ramah.

The LORD visited Hannah and she gave birth to three sons and two daughters. And the boy Samuel grew up before the LORD.

6. Eli And His Sons - Back to Page Index
1 Samuel 2:22-26
Now Eli was very old. He heard of what his sons were doing to Israel, and how they were laying with the women who served at the doorway of the tent of meeting. He asked them why they were doing such things? He said, "My sons, the report coming to me from the people is not good. If a man sins against another man, God will mediate for him. But if a man sins against the LORD, who can intercede for him?" But his sons would not listen to their father, so the LORD planned to put them to death.

Now the boy Samuel was growing taller and in favor with the LORD and with men.

7. Eli Is Warned About His Sons - Back to Page Index
1 Samuel 2:27-36
A man of God came to Eli, and said to him, "Thus says the LORD, 'Did I not reveal Myself to the house of your father when they were in Egypt under Pharaoh's control?' Did I not choose them from among all the tribes of Israel to be My chosen priests, to go up to My altar and burn incense and carry an ephod before Me? Did I not give to your father all the fire offerings made by the children of Israel? Why do you bring disgrace on the sacrifice I have commanded in My dwelling? Why do you honor your sons above Me, by making yourselves fat with the choicest parts of every offering My people bring to Me? Therefore the LORD God of Israel declares, 'I had said that your house and your father's house should walk before Me forever. But now I am saying that I will not honor those who do not honor Me, and have little respect for Me.' Behold, the days are coming when I will break your strength and the strength of your father's house and there will be no old men in your house. You will see an enemy in My dwelling, in spite of all the good that I do in Israel and there will be no old men in your house forever. Any man of yours that I do not cut off from My altar shall be spared only that his eyes may fail from weeping and all your descendants shall die in the prime of life. Here is the sign that all this will come true. Your two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, shall die on the same day. And I will raise up for Myself a faithful priest who will do what I ask. I will build him an enduring house and he shall walk before Me as My anointed forever. And everyone left in your house shall come and bow down before him for a piece of silver or a loaf of bread, saying, 'Please assign a priest's office to me so that I may have bread.'"

8. The Lord Speaks To Samuel - Back to Page Index
1 Samuel 3:1-21
The boy Samuel ministered to the LORD before Eli. The word of the LORD was rare and visions were infrequent.

Eli had laid down and his eyesight was growing dim. The lamp of God had not yet gone out. Samuel was lying down in the tabernacle where the ark of God was. The LORD called to Samuel, and he said, "Here I am." Then he ran to Eli and said, "Here I am, for you called me." But Eli said, "I did not call you. Go lie down." So Samuel went back to his bed. The LORD called again, "Samuel!" So Samuel arose again and went to Eli, saying, "Here I am, for I heard you call me." But Eli answered him, "I did not call you, my son. Go lie down." Up to this time Samuel had not yet known the LORD nor had His word been revealed through him. So the LORD called Samuel the third time. Again he arose and went to Eli, saying, "Here I am, for I heard you call me." Then Eli perceived that the LORD had called the child. He said to Samuel, "Go lie down. If He calls you again, say, 'Speak Lord, for Your servant is listening.'" So Samuel went and lay down in his place. Then the LORD came again and called, "Samuel! Samuel!" And Samuel said, "Speak, for Your servant is listening." The LORD said to Samuel, "Behold, I am about to do something that will make the ears of everyone in Israel tingle. In that day I will carry out against Eli all that I have spoken against his house. I have told him that I am about to judge his house for the iniquity of his sons which he knew of and did not rebuke. I have sworn that Eli's house shall never more be atoned for by sacrifice or offering."

So Samuel lay down until morning. Then he got up and opened the doors of the house of the LORD. And he was afraid to tell the vision to Eli.

Eli called him and said, "Samuel, my son." And Samuel replied, "Here I am." Eli said, "What did the LORD say to you last night? Do not hide any of it from me. May God do to you, and more so, if you hide any of His words from me." So Samuel told him everything and hid nothing from him. Then Eli said, "It is the LORD. Let Him do what seems good to Him."

Thus Samuel grew and the LORD was with him and did not let any of his words fail. All Israel from Dan to Beersheba knew that Samuel was confirmed as a prophet of the LORD. And the LORD would appear at Shiloh to reveal Himself to Samuel.

9. Israel Takes The Ark Of God Into Battle - Back to Page Index
1 Samuel 4:1-11
Thus the word of Samuel came to all Israel.

Now Israel went out to meet the Philistines in battle. They camped beside Ebenezer and the Philistines camped in Aphek. The Philistines drew up in battle array against Israel. As the battle spread, Israel was defeated as the Philistines killed about 4,000 men. When the men of Israel returned to camp, the elders said, "Why has the LORD smitten us today before the Philistines? Let's get the ark of the covenant from Shiloh. It will deliver us from the power of our enemy." So the people sent to Shiloh and had the ark of the covenant of the LORD of Hosts that dwelleth above the cherubims brought. Hophni and Phinehas came with the ark of the covenant. As the ark of the covenant of the LORD came into the camp, all Israel gave a mighty shout, so that the earth resounded. When the Philistines heard the great noise, they said, "What does this noise coming from the Hebrew camp mean?" Then they were told that the ark of the covenant of the LORD had come into the camp. The Philistines were afraid, for they said, "God has come into their camp. Woe to us! Nothing like this has happened to us before. Woe to us! Who shall deliver us from the hand of these mighty gods? These are the gods who smote the Egyptians with all manner of plagues in the wilderness. Take courage and be men, O Philistines, or you will become slaves to the Hebrews, as they have been to us. Fight like men."

So the Philistines fought and Israel was defeated. Every man fled to his tent. The slaughter was very great for 30,000 foot soldiers of Israel fell in battle. The ark of God was captured by the Philistines, and Eli's two sons, Hophni and Phinehas were killed.

10. Hearing That The Ark Has Been Captured, Eli Dies - Back to Page Index
1 Samuel 4:12-22
A man of Benjamin ran from the battle line and came to Shiloh with his clothes torn and dust on his head. Eli was sitting by the road on his seat eagerly watching for news. His heart was trembling for the ark of God. The messenger from the battle came to the city and all the city cried out at the news. When Eli heard the noise of the outcry he asked, "What does this noise mean?" Then the man came quickly and told Eli. Eli was ninety eight years old and he could not see. The man said to Eli, "I escaped from the battle line today." And Eli asked, "How did the battle go, my son?" The man answered, "Israel has fled before the Philistines, there has been a great slaughter among our people, and Hophni and Phinehas are dead. And the ark of God has been taken." When he mentioned the ark of God, Eli fell backwards off the seat. His neck was broken and he died, for he was old and heavy. He had judged Israel for forty years. His daughter-in-law, the wife of Phinehas, was about to give birth. When she heard that the ark of God was taken, and that her husband her father-in-law had died, her birth pains came upon her and she knelt down to give birth. As she was about to die, the women who stood by her said, "Do not be afraid, for you have given birth to a son." But she did not answer them or pay any attention. She named the boy Ichabod, saying, "The glory has departed from Israel." She said this on account of the ark of God being taken and the death of her father-in-law and husband. She said, "The glory has departed from Israel, for the ark of God is taken."

11. The Philistines Take The Ark Of God - Back to Page Index
1 Samuel 5:1-12
The Philistines took the ark of God from Ebenezer to Ashdod. They brought it into the house of their god Dagon and set it next to him. Early the next morning they found Dagon face down in front of the ark of the LORD. They set Dagon back in his place. But when they got up the following morning they found Dagon face down on the ground. Its head and hands were broken off, and lying on the threshold. Only his trunk was left to him. This is the reason to this day that the priests of Dagon never step on the threshold when they enter Dagon's temple in Ashdod. So the hand of the LORD was heavy on the people of Ashdod. He ravaged them and their territories with tumors. The men of Ashdod decided the ark of the God of Israel must leave, for His hand was very heavy on them and on Dagon their god. They sent for all the lords of the Philistines and said, "What shall be done with the ark of the God of Israel?" And they said, "Take the ark of the God of Israel to Gath." And so they did this. After it was brought to Gath, the hand of the LORD was against that city, bringing great confusion to both young and old and everyone broke out with tumors. They then sent the ark of God to Ekron. When it arrived the Ekronites cried out, saying, "They have brought the ark of the God of Israel to kill us." They sent for all the lords of the Philistines and said, "Send the ark of the God of Israel away from us so that we are not killed. Let it return to its own place." There was deadly confusion throughout the city and God's hand was heavy on them. Those that did not die were smitten with tumors and their cry went up to heaven.

12. The Philistines Send The Ark Back To Israel - Back to Page Index
1 Samuel 6:1-21
The ark of the LORD remained with Philistines for seven months. And the Philistines called for the priests and diviners, and asked them, "What shall we do with the ark of the LORD? How shall we return it to its place?" They answered, "If you send it away, do not send it away empty. A guilt offering must be returned with it. Then you will be healed and His hand will no longer be against you." So they asked, "What shall we give as a guilt offering to Him?" And they said, "Five golden tumors and five golden mice, one for each of the lords of the Philistines. Make likenesses of your tumors and likenesses of the mice that ravage the land. In this way you shall give glory to the God of Israel and perhaps He will ease His hand against you, your gods, and your land. Why harden your hearts as the Egyptians did when they would not let Israel leave their land?"

"Prepare a new cart with two milk cows to pull it that have never been yoked. Take their calves away from them. Place the ark of the LORD on the cart and put the articles of gold for your guilt offering in a box beside it. Then send it away to go wherever it may go. See if it goes to the territory of Bethshemesh. Then we will know the God of Israel has brought this great evil upon us. If it does not return to the land of the Israelites, then we shall know that it was not His hand that struck us. It only happened by chance."

So the men hitched two milk cows to the cart and shut their calves away from them. They put the ark of the LORD on the cart along with the box containing the golden mice and golden tumors. They started the cows moving and they headed straight for Bethshemesh, lowing as they went along the highway. They turned neither to the right or the left. The lords of the Philistines followed behind as far as the border of Bethshemesh.

The people at Bethshemesh were reaping their wheat harvest in the valley. They looked up and glad to see the ark of God. The cart came into the field of Joshua the Bethshemite and stopped by a large stone in the field. The men split up the wood of the cart and offered the cows as a burnt offering to the LORD. The Levites placed the ark of the LORD and the box of gold articles on the large stone. And the men of Bethshemesh offered burnt offerings and sacrifices that day to the LORD.

When the five lords of the Philistines had seen this, they returned to Ekron that same day. The five golden tumors which the Philistines returned for a guilt offering to the LORD, were for the five cities of the Philistines: Ashdod, Gaza, Ashkelon, Gath and Ekron. And the five golden mice were for the five cities belonging to the lords of the Philistines. The large stone where the ark was set is a witness to this day in the field of Joshua the Bethshemite. The LORD struck down some of the men of Bethshemesh because they looked into the ark of the LORD. In all He struck down 50,070 people, and the people mourned because He struck the people with a great slaughter. The men of Bethshemesh said, "Who can stand before the LORD, this holy God?"

So they sent messengers to the inhabitants of Kirjathjearim, saying, "The Philistines have sent the ark of the LORD back. Come down and get it."

13. Samuel Calls The People Of Israel To Repentance - Back to Page Index
1 Samuel 7:1-17
And the men of Kirjathjearim came and took the ark of the LORD and brought it into the house of Abinadab and consecrated Eleazar his son to keep it. The ark of God remained in the house at Kirjathjearim for twenty years and all Israel lamented after the LORD. Then Samuel spoke to all Israel and said, "If you return to the LORD with all your heart, removing the foreign gods and Asharoth from among you, and directing your hearts to the LORD, serving Him alone, then He will deliver you from the hand of the Philistines." So the children of Israel removed the Baals and the Asharoth and served only the LORD. Then Samuel said, "Gather all Israel at Mizpah and I will pray to the LORD for you." They gathered at Mizpah and drew water which they poured out before the LORD. They fasted on that day and said, "We have sinned against the LORD." And Samuel judged Israel at Mizpah.

When the Philistines heard that the children of Israel had gathered at Mizpah, the lords of the Philistines went up against Israel. The children of Israel heard of this and were afraid of the Philistines. They said to Samuel, "Do not cease to cry to the LORD our God for us, that He may save us from the Philistines." Samuel took a suckling lamb and offered it for a whole burnt offering to the LORD. And he cried to the LORD for Israel and the LORD heard him. Samuel was offering up the burnt offering as the Philistines were drawing near to battle against Israel. But the LORD made a great thunder against the Philistines, confusing them, and they were routed before Israel. The men of Israel went out from Mizpah and pursued the Philistines, striking them down as far as Bethcar. Then Samuel took a stone and set it between Mizpah and Shen, and named it Ebenezer. And he said, "The LORD has helped us."

So the Philistines were subdued and did not come within the border of Israel any more. The hand of the LORD was against the Philistines all the days of Samuel. The cities which the Philistines had taken from Israel were restored from Ekron to Gath. And so there was peace between Israel and the Amorites.

Samuel judged Israel all the days of his life. He used to make an annual circuit from Bethel to Gilgal and then to Mizpah. These were the places he judged Israel. Afterwards he would return to his house in Ramah and judge Israel there. It was there that he built an altar to the LORD.

14. The People Ask For A King - Back to Page Index
1 Samuel 8:1-22
When Samuel was old he made his sons judges over Israel. His firstborn was named Joel and the second was Abijah. They judged Israel in Beersheba. However, his sons did not walk in his ways and turned aside for dishonest gain by taking bribes and perverting justice.

So all the elders went to Samuel at Ramah. They said to him, "Behold, you have grown old and your sons do not walk in your ways. Appoint a king to be our judge like all the nations." When they asked for a king it displeased Samuel, and he prayed to the LORD about it. The LORD said to Samuel, "Listen to what the people are saying to you, for they have not rejected you, but are rejecting Me from being their king. Like all the times since I brought them up from Egypt until this day, they have forsaken Me and served other gods. They are doing the same to you. You shall listen to their voice but you must solemnly warn them of what a king will do them when he reigns over them."

So Samuel told those who were asking for a king everything the LORD had said. He said, "This is what will happen when a king reigns over you: he will take your sons for his own purposes. He will appoint for himself commanders of thousands and fifties. Some will plow and harvest. Still others will make weapon of war and equip his chariots. He will take your daughters to be cooks, bakers and to make perfumes for him. He will take the best of your fields, vineyards and olive groves and put his servants in charge of them. He will take a tenth of your seed and your vineyards to give to his servants. He will take your male and female servants and the best of your young men and your donkeys to do his work. He will take a tenth of your flocks, and you will become his servants. Then you will cry out to the LORD because of the king you have chosen to be over you, but the LORD will not answer you."

In spite of these words, the people refused to listen to Samuel. They said, "Never mind all that. We want a king to be over us. We want to be like other nations and have a king who will judge us and lead us in battle."

After Samuel had heard their words, he repeated them to the LORD. The LORD said to Samuel, "Listen to them and appoint them a king." So Samuel sent every man to his city.

15. Saul Looks For His Fathers Donkeys - Back to Page Index
1 Samuel 9:1-21
There was a man of Benjamin whose name was Kish. He was the son of Abiel, the son of Zeror, the son of Becorath, the son of Aphiah, the son of a Benjamite, a mighty man of valor. He had a handsome son named Saul. There was no one in Israel more handsome and he was a head taller than any of the people. Kish had lost some donkeys and he sent his son Saul with one of the servants to find them. They passed through the hill country of Ephraim and then through the land of Shalisha. But they did not find the donkeys. They then passed through the land of Shaalim, but they weren't there either. Then he passed through the land of the Benjamites, but they did not find them.

When they came to the land of Zuph, Saul said to his servant, "We had better head for home. Otherwise my father will become anxious about us." Then he added, "There is a man of God in this city. Whatever he says always comes true. Perhaps he can help us find our donkeys." Then he said to his servant, "Behold, I have nothing with which to make a present to the man. Do we have anything we could give him?" The servant said to Saul, "I have a fourth of a shekel of silver. You can give that to the man of God and he will tell us where to look."

In the former days in Israel, those now thought of as prophets were known as seers.

Then Saul said to his servant, "Well then, let us go and see him." So they went into the city where the man of God was. As they approached the city they met some young women coming out to draw water. They asked them, "Is the seer here?" They answered, "Yes. He is just ahead of you. Hurry, for he has come to the city to sacrifice on the high place today. As soon as you enter the city you will find him before he goes to the high place to eat. The people will not eat until he comes to bless the sacrifice so that they may eat. Hurry and you will find him."

Saul and his servant went up to the city just as Samuel was coming out on his way to the high place. The previous day the LORD had spoken with Samuel, saying, "About this time tomorrow I will send a man to you from the land of Benjamin. You shall anoint him to be prince over My people Israel and he will deliver them from the Philistines. I am answering their request for a king over them."

When Samuel saw Saul, the LORD said to him, "Behold, this is the man I spoke of to you yesterday. He shall rule over My people."

As Saul approached Samuel at the gate, he said, "Please tell me where the seer lives." Samuel answered, "I am the seer. Come with me to the high place, for you shall eat with me today. In the morning I will let you go after I tell you all that is on my heart. As for your donkeys which were lost, they have been found. And who is more favored in Israel than you and all your father's household." Saul replied, "I am a Benjamite, the smallest of the tribes of Israel. My family is the least of all the families in the tribe. Why do you speak in this manner to me?"

16. Samuel Invites Saul To Eat With Him And Spend The Night - Back to Page Index
1 Samuel 9:22-27
Samuel brought Saul and his servant into the hall and gave them a place at the head of the table. There were about thirty men there. Samuel had the cook bring the portion he had arranged to be set aside. The cook brought in the leg he had prepared and set it before Saul. Samuel then said, "Here is what has been reserved for you." So Saul and Samuel ate together that day.

When they had come down from the high place to Samuel's house in the city, Samuel took Saul up on the roof to talk with him. Then at daybreak Samuel called Saul to send him on his way. They both went down into the street. As they were about to leave the city, Samuel said to Saul, "Send your servant on ahead. I want to have a word with you by ourselves."

17. Samuel Anoints Saul As Ruler Over Israel - Back to Page Index
1 Samuel 10:1-8
Then Samuel took the flask of oil, poured it on Saul's head, kissed him, and said, "The LORD has anointed you to be ruler over His inheritance. Later today you will find two men close to Rachel's tomb in the territory of Benjamin at Zelzah. They will say to you, 'The donkeys which you were looking for have been found. And now your father is anxious to know where you are.' When you come to the oak of Tabor, three men who are going up to God at Bethel will meet you. One of them will be carrying three young goats. Another will be carrying three loaves of bread. And yet another will be carrying a jug of wine. They will greet you and give you two loaves of bread which you will accept. After that you will come to the hill of God where the Philistine garrison is. When you come to the city a group of prophets coming down from the high place will meet you. They will be proceeded by harp, tambourine, flute, and lyre, and they will be prophesying. Then the Spirit of the LORD will come upon you mightily, and you shall prophesy with them and be changed into another man. When you see these signs, do what the occasion requires, for God is with you. You are to go down to Gilgal before me. I will come down to offer burnt offerings and sacrifice peace offerings. You shall wait seven days until I come to you and show you what to do."

18. God Changes Saul's Heart - Back to Page Index
1 Samuel 10:9-16
And when Saul had turned his back to leave Samuel, God changed his heart, and all the signs came about on that day.

When Saul and his servant came to the hill, a group of prophets met him. And the Spirit of the LORD came upon Saul mightily, and he prophesied among them. When all those who knew him previously saw that he prophesied with the prophets, they said to each other, "What has happened to the son of Kish? Is Saul also a prophet?" A man of the place said, "Who is the father?" And it became a proverb: "Is Saul also among the prophets?"

After he had prophesied, he came to the high place. Now Saul's uncle said to him and his servant, "Where were you?" And Saul said, "We went looking for the donkeys. When we could not find them we stopped to see Samuel." And his uncles said, "Please tell me what Samuel said." So Saul said to his uncle, "He told us the donkeys had been found." But he did not tell him about Samuel anointing him prince over the kingdom of Israel.

19. Samuel Presents Saul To The People - Back to Page Index
1 Samuel 10:17-27
Samuel called the people together before the LORD at Mizpah. He said to the children of Israel, "Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel, "I brought Israel up from Egypt. And I delivered you from the Egyptians and from the power of all the kingdoms that oppressed you. "But today you have rejected your God, who delivered you from all your adversities and tribulations. You have asked Him to set a king over you. Now therefore, present yourselves before the LORD by tribes and clans."

Thus Samuel brought all the tribes of Israel near, and chose Benjamin by lot. Then he brought the families of the tribe of Benjamin near and chose the Matrite family by lot. Then Saul the son of Kish was taken by lot. But when they looked for him they could not find him. They asked the LORD if Saul had come yet. The LORD said, "He is hiding in the baggage." So they ran and brought Saul from there, and when he stood among the people, he was taller than any of the people from his shoulders up.

Samuel said to the people, "Do you see who the LORD has chosen? Surely there is no one like him among the people." So the people all shouted and said, "Long live the king!"

Then Samuel told the people the ordinances of the kingdom, and wrote them in a book and placed it before the LORD. Then Samuel sent the people away, each to his own house. Saul also went to his house at Gibeah, and valiant men whose hearts God had touched went with him. But there were some worthless men who said, "How can this man save us?" And they despised him and did not bring him any present. But Saul kept silent.

20. Saul Is Publicly Acclaimed King - Back to Page Index
1 Samuel 11:1-15
Nahash the Ammonite came up and besiege Jabeshgilead. The men of Jabesh offered to make a covenant with him. So Nahash said, "I will make a covenant with you on one condition. Let me gouge out the right eye of every one of you. In this way I will make a reproach on all Israel." The elders of Jabesh asked for seven days so they could send messengers throughout Israel. They had decided that if no one would come to their aid, they would submit to Nahash. When the messengers came to Gibeah where Saul was, and told the people of Jabesh and Nahash's threat, all the people wept. It was at this time that Saul was coming in from the field behind his oxen. He asked why the people were weeping? So they related the words of the men of Jabesh. Then it was that the Spirit of the LORD came upon Saul in a mighty way, and he became angry. He took the yoke of oxen, cut them in pieces and sent the pieces throughout Israel by messengers who were told to say, "Whoever does not come out after Saul shall have this done to his oxen. The dread of the LORD fell on the people and they came out as one man."

He numbered the men who came out in Bezek. Those of Israel were 300,000 and those of Judah were 30,000. They sent word back with the messengers of Jabesh, saying, "Tomorrow, by the time the sun gets hot, you will be delivered." So the messengers returned to the men of Jabesh and they were glad.

Then the men of Jabesh said to Nahash, "Tomorrow we will come out to you and you may do to us whatever seems good."

The next morning Saul put the people in three companies, and they came into the camp of the Ammonites and struck them down until the heat of the day. The survivors were so scattered that no two were left together.

Then the people said to Samuel, "Who was it that said, 'Shall Saul reign over us? Bring them here that we may put them to death.'" But Saul said, "Not one man shall be put to death, for today the LORD has delivered Israel."

Then Samuel said to the people, "Come to Gilgal. Let us renew the kingdom there." So all the people went to Gilgal and reaffirmed Saul as their king before the LORD.

21. Samuel Asks The People If He Has Done Them Any Wrong - Back to Page Index
1 Samuel 12:1-25
Samuel said to all Israel, "Behold, I listened to your request and have appointed a king over you. Now that the king walks before you, I am old and have walked before you from my youth. Now bear witness to me before the LORD and His anointed. Have I taken anyone's ox or donkey? Have I defrauded or oppressed anyone? Have I ever taken a bribe to blind my eye? If so, tell me and I will restore it to you now." They said, "You have not done any of these things to us." Samuel said, "The LORD is witness against you, and His anointed is witness this day that you have found nothing in my hand." And they said, "He is witness."

Then Samuel said to the people, "The LORD appointed Moses and Aaron when He brought your fathers up from Egypt. So now, take your stand, that I may recall with you all the righteous acts the LORD did for you and your fathers. When Jacob went down to Egypt and your fathers cried to the LORD, He sent Moses and Aaron to bring them out of Egypt and to settle them in this place. But they forgot the LORD their God, so He sold them into the hand of Sisera, captain of Hazor's army. He also sold them into the hand of the Philistines and the king of Moab. Israel fought against these. They cried out to the LORD, admitting that they had forsaken Him and served the Baals and the Ashtaroth, and begged Him for deliverance from their enemies. And they promised to serve Him."

"Then the LORD sent Jerubbaal, Bedan, Jephthah and Samuel. You were delivered from the hand of your enemies and lived in security."

"When you saw that Nahash, king of Ammon, came against you, you said to me that you wanted a king to rule over you, even though the LORD God had always been your king."

"Now you see the king whom you have asked for and accepted. Behold, the LORD has set a king over you. If you will fear the LORD and serve Him, listening to His voice and not rebelling against His command, then both you and your king will follow the LORD. If you will not listen to the voice of the LORD, but rebel against His command, then His hand will be against you as it was against your fathers."

"Even now witness the great thing which the LORD will perform before your eyes. Is it not time for the wheat harvest? I will call to the LORD and He will send thunder and rain. Then you will clearly see your wickedness in asking the LORD for a king."

So Samuel called to the LORD, and He sent thunder and rain that day. And all the people greatly feared the LORD and Samuel.

They all said to Samuel, "Pray to the LORD for your servants, so that we will not die, for we have added to our sins by asking for a king."

Samuel said to the people, "Do not fear. Though you have done this wickedness, do not now turn from following the LORD, but serve Him with all your heart. You must not turn aside to go after futile things that are of no profit to you. For the LORD will not abandon His people on account of His great name. The LORD has been pleased to make you His people."

"And I will not sin against the LORD by ceasing to pray for you. I will instruct you in the good and right way. Only fear the LORD and serve Him in truth with all your heart. Always remember what great things He has done for you. But should you still do wickedly, you and your king will be swept away."

22. Saul Leads Israel Against The Philistines - Back to Page Index
1 Samuel 13:1-23
Saul was thirty years old when he began to reign over Israel and he reigned 42 years. He chose three thousand men of Israel. Two thousand were with him at Michmash and the hill country of Bethel, and one thousand were with Jonathan in Gibeah of Benjamin. He sent the rest of the people home. Jonathan smote the garrison of Philistines in Geba and the Philistines heard of it.

Saul blew the trumpet calling men from throughout the land. All Israel heard that Saul had struck a garrison of Philistines and that Israel had become odious to them. So the people came to Saul in Gilgal.

The Philistines gathered to fight with Israel, bringing 30,000 chariots. The men of Israel became afraid and hid in caves, thickets, and any place they could find. Some of the Hebrews crossed the Jordan into Gad and Gilead. Saul was still in Gilgal and those following him trembled.

He waited seven days for the appointed time set by Samuel, but Samuel did not come to Gilgal. The people had begun to scatter. So Saul said, "Bring me the burnt offering and the peace offerings, and he offered the burnt offering." As soon as he had finished offering the burnt offering, Samuel showed up. Saul went to meet him. Samuel said, "What have you done?" And Saul said, "I saw the people begin to scatter when you had not come by the appointed time, and the Philistines were assembling at Michmash. I thought, now the Philistines will come against me at Gilgal and I have not asked the favor of the LORD. So I forced myself to offer the burnt offering." Samuel said to Saul, "You acted foolishly; You have not kept the command of the LORD your God. The LORD would have established you as king over Israel forever. But now your kingdom shall not endure. The LORD has found a man after His own heart, and He will appoint him ruler over His people, because you have not kept the LORD's command."

Samuel arose and went to Gilgal of Benjamin. And Saul numbered the people with him, about six hundred men. Saul and his son Jonathan and the people present with them were staying at Geba of Benjamin. The Philistines were camped at Michmash.

The Philistines sent raiders in three companies. One company turned toward Ophrah in the land of Shula, "another company turned toward Bethhoron, and the third company turned toward the border overlooking the valley of Zeboim near the wilderness." At that time there was no blacksmith in Israel because the Philistines didn't want the Hebrews to be able to make swords and spears. For this reason Israel went down to have the Philistines sharpen their plowshares, mattocks, axes and hoes. The Philistines charged two thirds of a shekel to sharpen their plowshares, mattocks, forks and axes, and the same to fix their hoes. So on the day of battle Israel had no swords or spears, except for Saul and Jonathan his son.

And the garrison of the Philistines went out to the Michmash pass.

23. Jonathan's Bravery - Back to Page Index
1 Samuel 14:1-23
One day Saul's son Jonathan said to his armor bearer, "Let's cross over to the Philistine's garrison." He did this without telling his father. Saul was staying on the outskirts of Gibeah under the pomegranate tree in Migron. He had about six hundred men with him. These included Ahitub, Ichabod's brother, the son of Phinehas, the son of Eli, the priest of the LORD at Shiloh who wore the ephod. No one knew that Jonathan had gone. The place Jonathan planned to cross over was between two sharp crags, named Bozez and Seneh. The one crag rose on the north opposite Michmash, and the other on the south opposite Geba. Jonathan said to his armor bearer, "Let us cross over to the uncircumcised. Perhaps the LORD will work for us, for He can accomplish His purpose with few or many." His armor bearer said, "As you wish. I am with you." Then Jonathan said, "We will cross over and reveal ourselves to them. If they tell us to wait until they come down to us, then we will stay were we are. But if they tell us to come up to them, then we will go up. It will be a sign from the LORD that He has given them into our hands."

When they allowed themselves to be seen by the Philistine garrison, the Philistines said, "Look, the Hebrews are coming out of the holes where they have been hiding." Then they called down to Jonathan and his armor bearer, and said, "Come up here and we will tell you something." Jonathan said to his armor bearer, "Let us go. The LORD has given them to Israel." Then Jonathan and his armor bearer scrambled up to them on their hands and feet, and the garrison fell before them as they put them to death. Jonathan and his armor bearer slaughtered about twenty men in the small area of the garrison. Then there was a great quaking of the earth in all the Philistine camp. Saul's watchman in Gibeah of Benjamin saw the Philistines melting away. Saul said, "Who is not with us?" So they quickly numbered off and discovered that Jonathan and his armor bearer were missing. Then Saul called to Ahijah to bring the ark of God, " for they had it with them." While Saul was talking with the priest, the commotion in the camp of the Philistines increased. So Saul said to the priest, "Withdraw your hand." Then Saul and all the people with him rallied to the battle. When they arrived they found every Philistine with his sword against his fellow because there was so much confusion. There were some Hebrews who had been with the Philistines, and they now turned against them and joined Saul and Jonathan. When all the men of Israel who had been hiding in the hill country of Ephraim heard that the Philistines had fled, they also pursued them in battle.

So the LORD delivered Israel that day as the battle spread beyond Bethaven.

24. Saul Tells Israel Not Eat Until They Have Won The Battle - Back to Page Index
1 Samuel 14:24-52
Saul had put the people under oath to eat nothing before evening, until he had avenged himself of his enemies. So no one ate food, and this made it difficult for people to keep up their strength. The army passed through the forest and there was honey on the ground. No one took any of the honey, for fear of Saul's oath. Jonathan had not heard his father's oath and took some of the honey up on his staff and ate it and immediately regained strength. Then one of the people told him of his father's strict oath, cursing anyone who ate any food during the day, though the people were very weary. Jonathan said, "My father has troubled the land. See how the honey has given me energy. How much better if all the people had eaten today from the enemy's spoil. Then the slaughter would have been greater."

So they struck the Philistines from Michmash to Aijalon. And the people were very weary. At the end of the day they rushed upon the spoil, slaying sheep, oxen and their calves, and eating them with their blood. Saul was informed that the people were sinning against the LORD, eating their meat with the blood and he took them to task. He sent word out among the people that they must bring their oxen and sheep and slaughter and eat in his presence. So the people did as he directed.

And Saul built an altar to the LORD. This was the first one he built. Saul said, "Let us go down to the Philistines after dark and take spoil until morning. We won't leave even one of them alive." The priest said, "Let us draw near to God." Saul inquired of God, "Shall I go down after the Philistines? Will you give them to Israel?" But God did not answer him. Then Saul asked the chief leaders of the people to draw near. He wanted to see if someone had sinned that day. "For, " he said, "As the LORD lives, whoever has sinned, even if it be Jonathan, my son, he shall surely die." But not one of the people answered him. Then Saul divided himself and Jonathan from the rest of the people. He asked the God of Israel for a perfect lot. Jonathan and Saul were taken by lot, but the people escaped. Saul said, "Cast lots between Jonathan my son and me." And Jonathan was taken. Then Saul asked Jonathan, "Tell me what you have done." So Jonathan told him he had tasted a little honey with the end of his staff."Here I am, " he said."I must die." Then Saul said, "God do to me and more also, for you must surely die, Jonathan." But the people said to Saul, must Jonathan die? It was he who has brought about this great deliverance in Israel. As the LORD lives, not one hair of his head shall fall to the ground." So the people rescued Jonathan and he did not die." So Saul stopped pursuing the Philistines, and they returned to their place.

After Saul became king over Israel he fought against all of his enemies, including Moab, the sons of Ammon, Edom, the kings of Zobah and the Philistines. He inflicted punishment on all sides. He valiantly defeated the Amalekites and delivered Israel from those who plundered them.

Saul's sons were Jonathan, Ishvi and Melchishua. The names of his daughters were Mereb and Michal. His wife was Ahinoam, the daughter of Ahimaaz. Abner was the captain of his army. He was the son of Ner, Saul's uncle. Saul's father was Kish, and Ner was Abner's father. Kish and Ner were sons of Abiel.

The war against the Philistines was severe all the days of Saul. And whenever he saw a valiant man, he attached him to his staff.

25. To Obey Is Better Than Sacrifice - Back to Page Index
1 Samuel 15:1-35
Samuel said to Saul, "The LORD sent me to anoint you king over Israel. Now listen to the word of the LORD. The LORD says, 'I will punish Amalek for what he did to Israel when they were coming up from Egypt..' Go and strike Amalek utterly and destroy all that he has. And do not spare him or any of the women and children, even the infants. Destroy also the oxen, the sheep, the camels and donkeys." So Saul gathered the people at Telaim. He had 10,000 men of Judah and 200,000 foot soldiers from the rest of Israel. He came to the city of Amalek and set up an ambush in the valley. Saul told the Kenites to depart so they would not be destroyed for they had shown kindness to Israel when they came up from Egypt. So the Kenites separated from the Amalekites.

Saul defeated the Amalekites from Havilah on the way to Shur. He captured Agag the king of the Amalekites but did not kill him. Otherwise he utterly destroyed all the people. He not only spared Agag, but also the best of the sheep, the oxen, the fatlings and the lambs. He wasn't willing to destroy anything that was good, but destroyed what was worthless.

Then the word of the LORD came to Samuel, saying, "I regret that I made Saul king for he does not follow Me or carry out My commands." Samuel was distressed and cried out to the LORD all night. Samuel rose early in the morning and went to meet Saul. He learned that Saul had been at Carmel setting up a monument for himself before going on to Gilgal. When Saul saw Samuel, he said to him, "Blessed are you of the LORD! I have carried out the LORD's command." Samuel replied, "Then why do I hear the bleating of sheep? And don't I also hear oxen lowing?" Saul said, "The people spared the best of the sheep and oxen from the Amalekites, in order to sacrifice them to the LORD your God. Everything else has been utterly destroyed."

Then Samuel said to Saul, "Hear what the LORD told me last night." And Saul said, "Tell me." Samuel said, "Isn't it true that while you were little in your own eyes, you were made the head of the tribes of Israel? It was the LORD who appointed you to be king over Israel. And The LORD sent you to utterly destroy the Amalekite sinners, utterly consuming them. Why did you not obey the voice of the LORD? Taking spoil was evil in the LORD's sight." Then Saul said, "But I did obey the voice of the LORD. I carried out His instruction and have brought back Agag, the king of Amalek and utterly destroyed the Amalekites. The people did take the choicest of the things devoted to destruction, in order to sacrifice to the LORD your God at Gilgal." Samuel said, "Does the LORD have as much delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as in obeying His voice? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed His word than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft. And insubordination is the same as iniquity and idolatry. Since you have rejected the word of the LORD, He has rejected you from being king." Saul said, "I have sinned and transgressed the command of the LORD, as well as your words. I did this because I feared the people. Please pardon my sin, and return with me to worship the LORD." Samuel said to Saul, "I will not return with you, for you have rejected the word of the LORD, and now the LORD has rejected you from being king over Israel." As Samuel turned to go, Saul reached out to seize the edge of his robe, and it tore. Samuel then said to him, "Today the LORD has torn the kingdom of Israel from you and given it to your neighbor who is better than you. The Glory of Israel will not lie or change His mind, for He is not a man to go back on His decision." Saul said, "Yes, I have sinned. But please honor me before the elders and before Israel. Go back with me that I may worship the LORD your God." So Samuel followed Saul back and Saul worshiped the LORD. Then Samuel said to him, "Bring Agag the king of the Amalekites to me." Agag came cheerfully, saying, "Surely the time for death is past." But Samuel said, "Just as your sword has made women childless, so shall your mother be childless among women." And Samuel cut Agag into pieces before the LORD at Gilgal.

Then Samuel went to Ramah and Saul went to his house in Gibeah. Samuel never met with Saul again, but he grieved over him. And the LORD regretted that He had made Saul king over Israel.

26. The Lord Sends Samuel To Anoint The Next King - Back to Page Index
1 Samuel 16:1-13
The LORD said to Samuel, "How long will you grieve over Saul because I have rejected him from being king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil. I am sendind you to Jesse the Bethlehemite. I have selected a king from among his sons." Samuel said, "If I go and Saul hears of it, he will kill me." The LORD said, "Take a heifer with you and say, 'I have come to sacrifice to the LORD..' Invite Jesse to the sacrifice and I will show you which son to anoint." So Samuel did as the LORD directed him. When he arrived in Bethlehem the elders came out to meet him, trembling, and asking him, "Have you come in peace?" He said, "Yes, I come in peace to sacrifice to the LORD. Consecrate yourselves and come with me." He also consecrated Jesse and his sons, inviting them to the sacrifice as well. As Jesse's sons entered, Samuel looked at Eliab and thought, "Surely this is the LORD's anointed." But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not look at his appearance or his height, for I have not chosen him. God sees differently than man sees. A man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." Then Jesse called Abinadab for Samuel to see and Samuel said, "The LORD has not chosen this one either." Next Jesse brought Shammah and Samuel said, "The LORD has not chosen this one either." Thus it was that Jesse made seven of his sons pass before Samuel and for each one Samuel said, "The LORD has not chosen this one either."

Samuel said to Jesse, "Are these all of your children?" And Jesse said, "There is one more, the youngest, who is tending the sheep." Then Samuel said, "Bring him here. We will not sit down to eat until he arrives." So Jesse had the young man called. He was ruddy with a beautiful and handsome countenance. And the LORD said, "Arise and anoint him, for he is My choice." Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him from among his brothers. And from that day the Spirit of the LORD came mightily on David. And Samuel arose and went to Ramah.

27. An Evil Spirit Comes Over Saul - Back to Page Index
1 Samuel 16:14-23
Now the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD troubled him. His servants suggested that since an evil spirit from God was troubling him, If he commanded it, they would find a skillful harp player. Then when the evil spirit from God troubled him, the harp music would make him feel better. So Saul agreed for them to find a man that could play well. One of the young men said, "I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite, play skillfully. Not only can he play well, but he is a valiant warrior, prudent in speech, and handsome. And the LORD is with him." So Saul sent messengers to ask Jesse to send David who was with the flock. Jesse loaded a donkey with bread, a jug of wine and a young goat for David to take to Saul. And David attended Saul and Saul loved him very much. David became his armor bearer. Saul asked Jesse to let David remain with him, for, he said, "He has found favor in my sight." And whenever an evil spirit from God came to Saul, David would play his harp, and Saul would be refreshed and the evil spirit would depart from him.

28. Goliath's Challenge - Back to Page Index
1 Samuel 17:1-30
Now the Philistines gathered their armies for battle at Socoh which is part of Judah. They camped between Socoh and Azekah in Ephesdammim. Saul and the men of Israel camped in the valley of Elah ready to do battle with them. The Philistines stood on one mountain and Israel on a mountain on the other side of the valley. The Philistines had a champion from Gath by the name of Goliath. He was six cubits and a span in height. He had a bronze helmet and wore bronze scaled armor weighing five thousand shekels. In addition he had bronze greaves that protected his lower legs and a bronze javelin slung between his shoulders. The shaft of his spear was like a weaver's beam. It had a iron head weighing six hundred shekels. A man went before him carrying his shield.

This champion of the Philistines came out and shouted to the armies of Israel, saying, "Why should all of you come out to battle against the Philistines? Choose one of your men and let the two of us fight." If he is able to kill me, then we will become your servants. But if I win, then you shall become our servants. He continued, saying, "I defy the armies of Israel this day. Send a man that we may fight." His words frightened Saul and all of Israel.

Now David was the son of Jesse who was of Bethlehem in Judah. He was an Ephrathite who had eight sons. Jesse was an old man. The three oldest sons were with Saul ready for battle. They were Eliab the firstborn, Abinadab the second and Shammah the third. David was the youngest. He would go back and forth from his father's flock to Saul's army.

This Philistine presented himself morning and evening for forty days. It was at this time that Jesse said to David, "Take an ephah of roasted grain and ten loaves of bread to your brothers in the camp of Israel. Take ten cheeses to the commander of their thousand, and bring back news of your brothers. Saul and the army are in the valley of Elah fighting with the Philistines."

So David arose early in the morning and left the flock with a keeper. Taking these supplies, he went as Jesse had commanded. He came to the edge of the camp while the armies were approaching each other and shouting the battle cry. Israel and the Philistines drew up together, army against army, prepared for battle. David left his baggage with the one keeping everyone's belongings, and ran to the battle line looking for his brothers. As he talked with them, Goliath, the Philistine from Gath, came out from the Philistine ranks, and David heard him speak the same words he had been saying for forty days. When the men of Israel saw him they fell back in terror. Among themselves they said, "Have you ever seen anyone like this man to defy Israel as he does? The king will reward anyone killing this man with great riches, giving him his daughter, and his father's house will not have to pay taxes." David asked the men standing near him, "What did I hear will be done for the man who kills this Philistine and takes away the reproach of Israel? Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should taunt the armies of the living God?" The people all said the same thing about what the reward would be. His oldest brother, Eliab, heard David asking questions of the men and was very angry with him. He said, "Why have you come here? With whom did you leave those few sheep in the wilderness? Your insolence is wicked. You just came to see the battle." But David replied, "What have I done now? Can't I ask a question." Then he turned away from his brother and asked others the same question and received the same answer.

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