1Samuel - Revised Standard Version (1966)
Originally but one book, the scroll of Samuel was early divided into two. The Greek translators called these the first and second Books of Kingdoms, a title St. Jerome later modified to "Kings." The Hebrew title, "Samuel" alludes to the leading figure in the first book, who was responsible for the enthronement of David. It is David's history that the second book recounts. This sacred work thus comprises the history of about a century, describing the close of the age of the Judges and the beginnings of monarchy in Israel under Saul and David. It is not a complete and continuous history, nor a systematic account of the period, but rather a series of episodes centered around the persons of Samuel, Saul and David, the principal figures leading up to the establishment of the royal dynasty of David. The final editor is unknown, nor are we certain of the time at which the various strands of the narrative were put together, though one may think of the period, perhaps late in the seventh century B.C., when the other volumes of the "Former Prophets" from Joshua through Kings, were built into a more or less continuous historical corpus. The Samuel-Saul-David narratives clearly depend on several written sources: a Samuel cycle, two sets of stories about Saul and David, and a family history of David. This last (2 Sam 9-20; 1 Kings 1-2), one of the most vivid historical narratives surviving from ancient times, probably originated early in the reign of Solomon. One of the most significant theological contributions of the Old Testament is found in 2 Sam 7 the oracle of Nathan. David is here promised an eternal dynasty, and this becomes the basis for the development of royal messianism throughout the Bible. With this promise to David one should compare 2 Chron 17; Psalm 89:19-37; 132:11-13; Acts 2:30; Hebrews 1:5. The contents of this work may be divided as follows: I. History of the Last Judges, Eli and Samuel (1 Sam 1:1 - 1 Sam 7:17) II. Establishment of the Monarchy in Israel (1 Sam 8:1 - 1 Sam 12:25) III. Saul and David (1 Sam 13:1 - 2 Sam 2:7) IV. The Reign of David (2 Sam 2:8 - 2 Sam 20:26) V. Appendixes (2 Sam 21:1 - 2 Sam 24:25) - (NAB)

Headings



FIRST BOOK OF SAMUEL


1 Samuel's Birth and Dedication
2 Hannah's Prayer
Eli's Wicked Sons
The Child Samuel at Shiloh
Prophecy against Eli's Household
3 Samuel's Calling and Prophetic Activity
4 The Ark of God Captured
Death of Eli
5 The Philistines and the Ark
6 The Ark Returned to Israel
The Ark at Kiriath-jearim
7 Samuel as Judge
8 Israel Demands a King
Israel's Request for a King Granted
9 Saul Chosen to Be King
Samuel Anoints Saul
10 Saul Prophesies
Saul Proclaimed King
11 Saul Defeats the Ammonites
12 Samuel's Farewell Address
13 Saul's Unlawful Sacrifice
Preparations for Battle
Jonathan Surprises and Routs the Philistines
14 Saul's Rash Oath
Jonathan in Danger of Death
Saul's Continuing Wars
15 Saul Defeats the Amalekites but Spares Their King
Saul Rejected as King
16 David Anointed as King
David Plays the Lyre for Saul
17 David and Goliath
18 Jonathan's Covenant with David
Saul Tries to Kill David
David Marries Michal
19 Jonathan Intercedes for David
Michal Helps David Escape from Saul
David Joins Samuel in Ramah
20 The Friendship of David and Jonathan
21 David and the Holy Bread
David Flees to Gath
22 David and His Followers at Adullam
Saul Slaughters the Priests at Nob
23 David Saves the City of Keilah
David Eludes Saul in the Wilderness
24 David Spares Saul's Life
25 Death of Samuel
David and the Wife of Nabal
26 David Spares Saul's Life a Second Time
27 David Serves King Achish of Gath
28 Saul Consults a Medium
29 The Philistines Reject David
30 David Avenges the Destruction of Ziklag
31 The Death of Saul and His Sons

Version
Nova Vulgata - Latin
Biblia del Pueblo di Dio (BPD) - Spanish
Vulgata - Stuttgart 1969 - Latin
Bíblia Sagrada Ave-Maria (1957) - Portuguese
La Sainte Bible (Crampon 1904) - French
CEI (1974) - Italian
EinheitsÜbersetzung der Heiligen Sc - German