1 Samuel · The Old Testament, Animated

Overview

1 Samuel tells how Israel moved from the loose tribal rule of the judges to a monarchy. It spans roughly the late eleventh century BC and centres on three figures: Samuel, the last judge and a prophet; Saul, the first king; and David, the shepherd chosen to replace him. Its scenes run from the sanctuary at Shiloh to the battlefields of the Philistine border and the wildernesses of Judah.

In the Hebrew Bible, 1 and 2 Samuel form a single book, named after Samuel though he dies partway through. Tradition links it to Samuel, Nathan and Gad (1 Chronicles 29:29); many scholars see it as drawing on several earlier sources, edited later. It is often read alongside Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges and Kings as one long history of Israel in the land.

The book falls into four parts: Samuel's rise and the fate of the Ark (ch 1–7); Israel demands a king and Saul is made king (ch 8–12); Saul's failure and David's anointing (ch 13–17); and Saul's pursuit of David, ending in Saul's death (ch 18–31).

Part 1 — Samuel and the Ark (chapters 1–7)

Hannah's prayer (1). Elkanah worships yearly at Shiloh. His wife Hannah is barren and taunted by his other wife Peninnah. She prays silently, vowing to give a son to the Lord. Eli the priest thinks she is drunk, then blesses her. She bears Samuel and, once he is weaned, gives him to serve at Shiloh.

Hannah's song (2:1–11). "My heart rejoiceth in the Lord." God brings down the proud and "raiseth up the poor out of the dust." The song ends with the first mention of the Lord's "anointed" king, anticipating what is to come.

Eli's house and Samuel's call (2:12–3:21). Eli's sons Hophni and Phinehas abuse the offerings and the women at the sanctuary, and a man of God pronounces judgement on Eli's family. "The word of the Lord was precious [rare] in those days." The Lord calls the boy Samuel by night; on Eli's advice he answers, "Speak; for thy servant heareth." Samuel becomes known from Dan to Beersheba as a prophet.

The Ark captured (4). Beaten by the Philistines near Ebenezer, Israel brings the Ark of the Covenant into battle as a talisman. They are routed, Hophni and Phinehas die, and the Ark is taken. Eli, ninety-eight, falls backward and dies. His daughter-in-law names her son Ichabod: "The glory is departed from Israel."

The Ark among the Philistines (5–6). In Dagon's temple at Ashdod the idol is found fallen before the Ark, then broken. Tumours and plague strike Ashdod, Gath and Ekron. After seven months the Philistines send the Ark back on a new cart drawn by two milk cows, which walk straight to Beth-shemesh. It rests at Kiriath-jearim for twenty years.

Victory at Mizpah (7). Samuel calls Israel to put away foreign gods. As he offers a lamb, the Philistines attack, but "the Lord thundered with a great thunder" and they flee. Samuel sets up a stone called Ebenezer, "Hitherto hath the Lord helped us," and judges Israel from his circuit of towns.

Part 2 — A king like the nations (chapters 8–12)

The demand for a king (8). Samuel's sons are corrupt. The elders say, "Make us a king to judge us like all the nations." The Lord tells Samuel, "They have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me." Samuel warns that a king will take their sons, daughters, fields and a tenth of their flocks. They insist.

Saul anointed (9–10). Saul son of Kish, a tall Benjaminite, searches for his father's lost donkeys and is led to Samuel, who privately anoints him. Signs follow, and Saul prophesies among the prophets. At Mizpah the lot falls on Saul, who is found hiding among the baggage. "God save the king."

Jabesh-gilead and Gilgal (11). Nahash the Ammonite threatens to gouge out the right eye of every man in Jabesh-gilead. Saul musters Israel and rescues the town. The kingdom is renewed at Gilgal.

Samuel's farewell (12). Samuel's integrity is affirmed. He recounts God's faithfulness and calls down thunder and rain in the wheat harvest as a sign. King and people will prosper only if they fear and serve the Lord.

Part 3 — Saul rejected, David chosen (chapters 13–17)

Saul's impatient sacrifice (13). At Gilgal, with the Philistines massing and his troops deserting, Saul offers the burnt offering before Samuel arrives. Samuel declares that his kingdom will not continue: "The Lord hath sought him a man after his own heart."

Jonathan at Michmash (14). Jonathan and his armour-bearer climb a cliff to attack a Philistine garrison: "There is no restraint to the Lord to save by many or by few." Panic and an earthquake rout the enemy. Saul's rash oath against eating nearly costs Jonathan his life, until the army ransoms him.

Amalek and rejection (15). Ordered to devote Amalek to destruction, Saul spares King Agag and the best livestock. "To obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams." When Saul grabs Samuel's robe it tears; so the Lord has torn the kingdom from him. Samuel mourns for Saul.

David anointed (16:1–13). Samuel goes to Jesse in Bethlehem. Seven sons are passed over: "Man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart." The youngest, David, is fetched from the sheep and anointed, and the Spirit comes upon him.

David at court (16:14–23). As the Spirit leaves Saul, a troubling spirit torments him. David's harp-playing brings relief, and Saul makes him his armour-bearer.

David and Goliath (17). In the Valley of Elah, the Philistine champion Goliath of Gath defies Israel for forty days. David, bringing food to his brothers, volunteers. He refuses Saul's armour and takes five smooth stones and a sling: "Thou comest to me with a sword… but I come to thee in the name of the Lord of hosts." Goliath falls, and the Philistines flee.

Part 4 — The fugitive and the fall of Saul (chapters 18–31)

Friend and rival (18–19). Jonathan loves David "as his own soul" and makes a covenant, giving him his robe and weapons. Women sing, "Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands," and Saul grows jealous. He hurls his spear at David and sets a deadly bride-price for his daughter Michal. Michal, who loves David, lets him down through a window to escape.

Jonathan's arrows (20). Jonathan confirms his father's intent to kill David and signals it with arrows shot past a boy. The two friends weep and part.

Nob and Adullam (21–22). The priest Ahimelech gives David the holy bread and Goliath's sword. Saul, informed by Doeg the Edomite, has eighty-five priests of Nob killed; only Abiathar escapes to David. At the cave of Adullam about four hundred men in distress, debt or discontent gather around him.

In the wilderness (23–24). David rescues Keilah from the Philistines but must keep moving. In a cave near En-gedi he cuts off the corner of Saul's robe but refuses to harm "the Lord's anointed." Saul weeps: "Thou art more righteous than I."

Nabal and Abigail (25). Samuel dies. The rich, churlish Nabal insults David's men, and David vows revenge. Nabal's wife Abigail intercepts him with gifts and wise words, keeping him from bloodguilt. Nabal dies ten days later, and Abigail marries David.

The spear and the jug (26). At Ziph, David and Abishai enter Saul's camp while a deep sleep from the Lord falls on everyone. David again spares Saul, taking his spear and water jug, and calls to him from a distance. Saul admits, "I have played the fool."

Among the Philistines (27; 29–30). David takes refuge with Achish of Gath, who gives him Ziklag. The Philistine commanders refuse to let him march against Israel. Returning, he finds Ziklag burned and the families taken by Amalekites. "David encouraged himself in the Lord his God," pursues the raiders and recovers everyone, sharing the spoil with those who guarded the baggage.

The medium at Endor (28). Facing the Philistines at Shunem and receiving no answer from God, Saul disguises himself and consults a medium, though he had banned such practices. Samuel appears and repeats his verdict: the kingdom is David's, and tomorrow Saul and his sons will be with him.

Mount Gilboa (31). Israel is routed. Jonathan, Abinadab and Malchishua are killed, and Saul, badly wounded by archers, falls on his own sword. The Philistines hang the bodies on the wall of Beth-shan. The men of Jabesh-gilead, remembering his rescue of them, travel all night to recover the bodies and bury them under a tree.

Key themes, and the bridge to 2 Samuel

God's kingship and human kings. Asking for a king "like all the nations" is a rejection of God, yet God works through the monarchy, on his own terms.
Obedience over appearance. Saul looks the part; David is chosen for his heart. Ritual without obedience is worthless (15:22).
Reversal. As Hannah sang, the barren bear children, the proud fall and the shepherd boy is raised up.
The Lord's anointed. David's refusal to seize the throne by force, even when Saul is at his mercy, marks him as a king who waits for God.
Loyal friendship. Jonathan's covenant love for David, at great cost to his own claim, is one of the book's bright threads.

1 Samuel ends in defeat and darkness: Israel's first king dead by his own hand, the Philistines triumphant, and David in exile among Israel's enemies. 2 Samuel opens with David hearing the news at Ziklag, mourning Saul and Jonathan, and beginning the long road to the throne.