Hey sis! Welcome to the 1 Samuel Companion Library, your companion resource designed to help you study the book of 1 Samuel in context and discover God's sovereignty, His call to faithful obedience, and the beginning of Israel's transition from the period of the judges to the monarchy. Whether you're using the Bible Study Corner™ Guided Bible Companion, studying on your own, or teaching others, you'll find tools here to help you dig deeper into God's Word with confidence.
This page is filled with carefully selected resources to help you understand not only what 1 Samuel says, but why it matters. As you journey through the lives of Hannah, Samuel, Saul, Jonathan, and David, you'll witness God's faithfulness in raising up leaders, His patience with His people, and the consequences of choosing human wisdom over His perfect will. You'll see powerful moments like Hannah's prayer, Samuel's calling, David's anointing, and David's victory over Goliath, each revealing God's power to accomplish His purposes through those who trust Him. Most importantly, you'll discover how every chapter points forward to Jesus Christ- the true Anointed King, the faithful Shepherd, and the One who perfectly obeyed the Father where every earthly king fell short.
My prayer is that these resources encourage you to slow down, open your Bible, and grow in your confidence that God sees the heart and faithfully accomplishes His purposes. First Samuel isn't simply the story of Israel's first kings; it's the story of a sovereign God who raises up the humble, humbles the proud, and prepares the way for the everlasting King who would come through the line of David.
If you haven't already purchased the printable Bible Study Corner™ Guided Bible Companion, you can do so by clicking the link below. They're not required to use these resources, but they're filled with thoughtfully organized study tools, historical background, key themes, and beautiful pages that save you time and make a wonderful addition to your Bible study.
But First... Pray
Prayer Before Studying 1 Samuel
Heavenly Father,
As I open the book of 1 Samuel, I ask You to open my heart and my mind to Your truth. Thank You for preserving Your Word so that I can know You more deeply and understand Your character.
As I read, help me see more than the stories of Samuel, Saul, and David. Show me Your sovereignty, Your holiness, Your faithfulness, and Your desire for hearts that are fully devoted to You. Teach me to trust Your timing, to seek Your will above my own, and to remember that You see what no one else can see.
Reveal the ways this book points to Jesus- our true Anointed King, our faithful Shepherd, and the One who perfectly obeyed the Father. Give me wisdom to understand the Scriptures in their proper context and a humble heart that is willing to be changed by what I learn.
Help me not to rush through these pages, but to slow down, ask good questions, and delight in discovering the richness of Your Word. May this study deepen my faith, strengthen my obedience, and draw me into a closer relationship with You.
Thank You for Your grace, Your patience, and Your unfailing love. Teach me to value a heart that seeks after You above outward appearances or worldly success, and may everything I learn lead me to worship You more fully and to trust Your perfect plans.
In Jesus' name,
Amen.
Start Here
Before diving into 1 Samuel, I encourage you to watch the Bible Project overview of the book. In just a few minutes, you'll gain a big-picture understanding of 1 Samuel- its structure, major themes, historical setting, and its place in God's unfolding plan of redemption. Watching the overview first will help you see that 1 Samuel is more than a collection of well-known stories like Hannah's prayer, David and Goliath, or Saul's rise and fall. It is the account of God's sovereign hand guiding His people through a pivotal transition in Israel's history, revealing the qualities of true leadership and preparing the way for the line of David through which the promised Messiah would come. As you work through your Bible Study Corner™ Guided Bible Companion, you'll also begin to recognize how David, the shepherd-king, foreshadows Jesus Christ- the true Shepherd and eternal King.
Once you've finished the video, open your Bible and begin reading 1 Samuel. Then come back here to explore the companion resources, maps, timelines, character studies, word studies, and bonus study tools designed to help you dig even deeper into God's Word and discover the faithfulness of God as He accomplishes His purposes through those who trust and obey Him.
Begin Reading
Now that you've watched the overview, it's time to dive into God's Word. Before exploring the additional resources below, we are going to start reading the book of 1 Samuel in your Bible. Resist the urge to rush ahead or rely only on study notes. Spend time observing the text for yourself, asking questions, and noticing repeated themes like prayer, obedience, leadership, pride, humility, kingship, anointing, and God's sovereignty.
Start by opening the free commentary linked below, or use a commentary of your choice. As you read, remember that 1 Samuel is more than a collection of familiar stories about Hannah, Samuel, Saul, David, and Goliath. It records a major turning point in Israel's history as the nation transitions from the period of the judges to the monarchy. It reveals the danger of valuing outward appearance over faithful character, the consequences of partial obedience, and the truth that God sees the heart. Most importantly, it points forward to Jesus Christ- the true Anointed King, the faithful Shepherd, and the perfectly obedient Son.
I personally take notes from the commentary that I feel are important to remember.
Take your time, pray as you read, and allow Scripture to speak before turning to outside resources.
1 Samuel Maps
Here you will find links to important locations mentioned in 1 Samuel
Bible Study Tools
As you continue your study of 1 Samuel, I encourage you to explore some of the free Bible study tools available through Blue Letter Bible. From original Hebrew and Greek word studies to maps, timelines, outlines, cross references, commentaries, and more, these resources can help you better understand the historical, cultural, and linguistic context of Scripture.
Remember, these tools are designed to support your study- not replace it. Always read the biblical text carefully, and allow Scripture to interpret Scripture. Then use these resources to dig deeper and strengthen your understanding of God's Word as you explore the lives of Samuel, Saul, David, and the beginning of Israel's monarchy through the lens of God's sovereign plan.
Click below to explore Blue Letter Bible's free study tools.
Frequently Asked Questions About 1 Samuel
As you study 1 Samuel, you're likely to encounter questions you've never considered before- and that's a good thing! Asking thoughtful questions is an important part of studying God's Word. Below you'll find a collection of carefully selected articles from GotQuestions.org that address some of the most common questions people have about the book of 1 Samuel.
While these articles can be helpful study tools, I encourage you to always compare what you read with Scripture. Let God's Word be your final authority, and use these resources to deepen your understanding as you continue studying the Bible in its proper context. As you explore topics like Samuel's calling, Israel's request for a king, the anointing of David, the Ark of the Covenant, David and Goliath, and Saul's tragic downfall, my prayer is that you'll gain a deeper appreciation for God's sovereignty and recognize how the true hope of Israel- and of all humanity- is ultimately found in Jesus Christ, the perfect and eternal King.
