Old Testament
The First Book of Samuel
The First Book of Samuel is the ninth of the 46 books of the Old Testament: 31 chapters and 811 verses. The Douay-Rheims calls it 1 Kings.
About 1 Samuel
About 1 Samuel · Prophetic history
The first book of Samuel tells how Israel got a king: the prophet Samuel, the tragic reign of Saul, and the rise of the shepherd David. It is anonymous, drawing on early court records and prophetic tradition, and the Douay-Rheims calls it the first book of Kings. It was written to wrestle honestly with monarchy — the people's demand for a king is treated as both a failure of trust and a thing God works through. Its portraits, above all Saul's unraveling and David's restraint, are among the finest storytelling in Scripture.
| Testament | Old Testament — book 9 of 46, 9 of 73 in the Bible |
|---|---|
| Canon | Protocanonical (in every Christian canon) |
| Chapters | 31 |
| Verses | 811, as Bless numbers them |
| In the Douay-Rheims | 1 Kings |
| Latin | Clementine Vulgate, every chapter |
| Bp. Challoner | Summaries of all 31 chapters · 54 notes |
| Catechism | 4 paragraphs cite it |
Chapter by chapter
All 31 chapters, in brief.
Bishop Richard Challoner’s summary of each chapter, from his revision of the Douay-Rheims (1749–52). Open a chapter for the full text.
1 Samuel 1
28 versesAnna the wife of Elcana being barren, by vow and prayer obtaineth a son: whom she calleth Samuel: and presenteth him to the service of God in Silo, according to her vow.
1 Samuel 2
36 versesThe canticle of Anna. The wickedness of the sons of Heli: for which they are not duly corrected by their father. A prophecy against the house of Heli.
1 Samuel 3
21 versesSamuel is four times called by the Lord: who revealeth to him the evil that shall fall on Heli, and his house.
1 Samuel 4
22 versesThe Israelites being overcome by the Philistines, send for the ark of God: but they are beaten again, the sons of Heli are killed, and the ark taken: upon the hearing of the news Heli falleth backward and dieth.
1 Samuel 5
12 versesDagon twice falleth down before the ark. The Philistines are grievously afflicted, wherever the ark cometh.
1 Samuel 6
21 versesThe ark is sent back to Bethsames: where many are slain for looking through curiosity into it.
1 Samuel 7
17 versesThe ark is brought to Cariathiarim. By Samuel's exhortation the people cast away their idols and serve God alone. The Lord defeateth the Philistines, while Samuel offereth sacrifice.
1 Samuel 8
22 versesSamuel growing old, and his sons not walking in his ways, the people desire a king.
1 Samuel 9
27 versesSaul seeking his father's asses, cometh to Samuel, by whom he is entertained.
1 Samuel 10
27 versesSaul is anointed. He prophesieth, and is changed into another man. Samuel calleth the people together, to make a king: the lot falleth on Saul.
1 Samuel 11
15 versesSaul defeateth the Ammonites, and delivereth Jabes Galaad.
1 Samuel 12
25 versesSamuel's integrity is acknowledged. God sheweth by a sign from heaven that they had done ill in asking for a king.
1 Samuel 13
23 versesThe war between Saul and the Philistines. The distress of the Israelites. Saul offereth sacrifice before the coming of Samuel: for which he is reproved.
1 Samuel 14
52 versesJonathan attacketh the Philistines. A miraculous victory. Saul's unadvised oath, by which Jonathan is put in danger of his life, but is delivered by the people.
1 Samuel 15
35 versesSaul is sent to destroy Amalec: he spareth their king and the best of their cattle: for which disobedience he is cast off by the Lord.
1 Samuel 16
23 versesSamuel is sent to Bethlehem, where he anointeth David: who is taken into Saul's family.
1 Samuel 17
58 versesWar with the Philistines. Goliath challengeth Israel. He is slain by David.
1 Samuel 18
30 versesThe friendship of Jonathan and David. The envy of Saul, and his design upon David's life. He marrieth him to his daughter Michol.
1 Samuel 19
24 versesOther attempts of Saul upon David's life. He cometh to Samuel. Saul's messengers, and Saul himself prophesy.
1 Samuel 20
43 versesSaul being obstinately bent upon killing David, he is sent away by Jonathan.
1 Samuel 21
15 versesDavid receiveth holy bread of Achimelech, the priest: and feigneth himself mad before Achis, king of Geth.
1 Samuel 22
23 versesMany resort to David. Doeg accuseth Achimelech to Saul. He ordereth him and all the other priests of Nobe to be slain. Abiathar escapeth.
1 Samuel 23
28 versesDavid relieveth Ceila, besieged by the Philistines. He fleeth into the desert of Ziph. Jonathan and he confirm their former covenant. The Ziphites discover him to Saul, who pursuing close after him, is called away by an invasion from the Philistines.
1 Samuel 24
23 versesSaul seeketh David in the wilderness of Engaddi: he goeth into a cave where David hath him in his power.
1 Samuel 25
44 versesThe death of Samuel. David, provoked by Nabal, threateneth to destroy him: but is appeased by Abigail.
1 Samuel 26
25 versesSaul goeth out again after David, who cometh by night where Saul and his men are asleep, but suffereth him not to be touched. Saul again confesseth his fault, and promiseth peace.
1 Samuel 27
12 versesDavid goeth again to Achis king of Geth, and obtaineth of him the city of Siceleg.
1 Samuel 28
25 versesThe Philistines go out to war against Israel. Saul being forsaken by God, hath recourse to a witch. Samuel appeareth to him.
1 Samuel 29
11 versesDavid going with the Philistines is sent back by their princes.
1 Samuel 30
31 versesThe Amalecites burn Siceleg, and carry off the prey: David pursueth after them, and recovereth all out of their hands.
1 Samuel 31
13 versesIsrael is defeated by the Philistines: Saul and his sons are slain.
Bp. Richard Challoner · chapter summaries
In the comments
What the saints said.
1 quotation from 1 saint linked to passages of 1 Samuel in Bless. Each names the work it comes from.
St. Francis of Assisi · on 1 Samuel 16:7
On this theme
What a man is before God, that he is and no more.
Admonitions, 5, c. 1220
Coming up
Read at Mass.
From October 29, 2026 to October 28, 2027, 1 Samuel is read at the principal Mass on 2 days in the US calendar. The next 8 readings:
| Date | Celebration | Reading | Citation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuesday of the Fourth Week of Advent | First Reading | 1 Samuel 1:24-28 | |
| Tuesday of the Fourth Week of Advent | Responsorial Psalm | 1 Samuel 2:1, 4-5, 6-7, 8abcd | |
| Second Sunday in Ordinary Time | First Reading | 1 Samuel 3:3b-10, 19 | |
| computed | Wednesday of the Fourth Week of Advent | First Reading | 1 Samuel 1:24-28 |
| computed | Wednesday of the Fourth Week of Advent | Responsorial Psalm | 1 Samuel 2:1, 4-5, 6-7, 8abcd |
| computed | Monday of the First Week in Ordinary Time | First Reading | 1 Samuel 1:1-8 |
| computed | Tuesday of the First Week in Ordinary Time | First Reading | 1 Samuel 1:9-20 |
| computed | Tuesday of the First Week in Ordinary Time | Responsorial Psalm | 1 Samuel 2:1, 4-5, 6-7, 8abcd |
| computed | Wednesday of the First Week in Ordinary Time | First Reading | 1 Samuel 3:1-10, 19-20 |
| computed | Thursday of the First Week in Ordinary Time | First Reading | 1 Samuel 4:1-11 |
| computed | Friday of the First Week in Ordinary Time | First Reading | 1 Samuel 8:4-7, 10-22a |
| computed | Saturday of the First Week in Ordinary Time | First Reading | 1 Samuel 9:1-4, 17-19; 10:1 |
| computed | St. Anthony, Abbot | First Reading | 1 Samuel 15:16-23 |
| computed | Tuesday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time | First Reading | 1 Samuel 16:1-13 |
| computed | Wednesday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time | First Reading | 1 Samuel 17:32-33, 37, 40-51 |
| computed | Thursday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time | First Reading | 1 Samuel 18:6-9; 19:1-7 |
| computed | St. Agnes, Virgin and Martyr | First Reading | 1 Samuel 24:3-21 |
| computed | Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time | First Reading | 1 Samuel 26:2, 7-9, 12-13, 22-23 |
| computed | Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time | Alleluia | 1 Samuel 3:9; John 6:68c |
| computed | Friday of the Third Week of Advent | First Reading | 1 Samuel 1:24-28 |
| computed | Friday of the Third Week of Advent | Responsorial Psalm | 1 Samuel 2:1, 4-5, 6-7, 8abcd |
No more readings are listed here; the liturgical calendar has every date through December 31, 2028.
Citations as published in the USCCB liturgical calendar (principal Mass, first option). Dates after May 31, 2027 are computed by Bless from the US Lectionary cycle — confirm with your parish.