Realizing that Saul will not relent in trying to kill him, David goes – once again – to Achish in Gath. This time, the Philistine King takes David in because he is a fugitive outlaw. David deceives Achish in his intentions in order to accomplish his own purposes. In the meantime, Saul consults a medium…

Saul has Doeg the Edomite slaughter the priests and all in the city of Nob for helping David – an unthinkably treacherous sin. He then continues to pursue David. But the LORD continually helps David escape. Even when David has two chances to kill Saul, he acts righteously, knowing that it is not his right…

In jealousy and fear, Saul turns on David and starts to conspire in ways to kill him. All those who love David – Michal and Jonathan – help him escape Saul’s treachery. When it is clear that Saul is not going to relent, David begins his “wilderness wanderings.”

In the most “famous” chapter of 1 Samuel, David defeats the giant Philistine Goliath and wins the favor of Saul and Israel. Yet Saul, in his jealousy, soon turns on David to try to kill him or ensnare him.

Saul rebels against the Word of the LORD and Samuel pronounces the LORD’s final judgment against him: “For you have rejected the Word of the LORD, and the LORD has rejected you from being king over Israel.” In the background, David, son of Jesse, – “a man after the LORDs own heart” is anointed to…

As Saul acts presumptuously and foolishly, his son Jonathan leads the nation to victory. These chapters summarize the events that lead to the downfall and rejection of Saul as King.

The LORD’s choice of Saul as the first King of Israel is confirmed with signs given through Samuel. Yet, Saul is reluctant to take on his responsibility. Nevertheless, in his first major test as King, the LORD grants Saul victory over the Ammonites. Finally, Samuel encourages the people to remain faithful to the LORD so…

Samuel leads the people in a time of turning back to the LORD and the LORD delivers Israel from the Philistines. But in time, Israel demands a King so that they can be “like the other nations.” Even after a stern warning from Samuel, the people will not relent and continue to demand a King.…

Samuel is called by the LORD and given the message of the downfall of Eli’s house. Then Israel is defeated by the Philistines and the Ark of the Covenant is captured. After bringing a plague on the cities of the Philistines, the Ark is returned to Israel. In what seems like a catastrophic failure, the…

We work out way through the big ideas of chapters 1-2 and the birth of Samuel. Samuel is a transitional figure – he is the last of the Judges and the first of the “classical prophets.” We also hear about the downfall of the priestly line of Eli. Samuel will anoint the first king of…