1 Samuel

1 Samuel is the ninth book of the Bible. It traces Israel's transition from the loose rule of the judges to a centralized monarchy. The book is traditionally attributed in part to the prophet Samuel himself, though the writing was clearly completed by others after his death.

The book opens with the birth of Samuel to a once-childless woman named Hannah, who dedicates him to God's service. Samuel grows up at the tabernacle under the priest Eli and becomes Israel's last judge and a major prophet. The Israelites, dissatisfied with rule by judges and worried about the Philistine threat, demand a king. Samuel warns them what a king will cost them, but they insist.

Saul is chosen as Israel's first king. He is tall, impressive, and initially successful. But Saul disobeys God repeatedly, and Samuel announces that the kingdom will be taken from him. God sends Samuel to anoint a young shepherd from Bethlehem named David as the next king.

The rest of the book traces the rise of David and the decline of Saul. David kills the Philistine giant Goliath, becomes a national hero, marries Saul's daughter, and befriends Saul's son Jonathan. Saul, increasingly jealous, tries to kill David, who flees and lives as a fugitive for years. The book ends with Saul and Jonathan dying in battle against the Philistines on Mount Gilboa. David is poised to become king.