--- title: "1 Samuel: Summary & All 31 Chapters · Bless" url: https://blessbible.app/bible/1-samuel/ description: "The First Book of Samuel, a prophetic history in 31 chapters. Bp. Challoner’s summary of all 31 chapters, and the full text free." --- 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. [Start reading: 1 Samuel 1](https://blessbible.app/bible/1-samuel/1/) Chapters 1–31: [1](https://blessbible.app/bible/1-samuel/1/) … [31](https://blessbible.app/bible/1-samuel/31/) ## 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. *1 Samuel in Bless* | | | |---|---| | 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. ### [1 Samuel 1](https://blessbible.app/bible/1-samuel/1/) 28 verses Anna 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. 2. ### [1 Samuel 2](https://blessbible.app/bible/1-samuel/2/) 36 verses The 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. 3. ### [1 Samuel 3](https://blessbible.app/bible/1-samuel/3/) 21 verses Samuel is four times called by the Lord: who revealeth to him the evil that shall fall on Heli, and his house. 4. ### [1 Samuel 4](https://blessbible.app/bible/1-samuel/4/) 22 verses The 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. 5. ### [1 Samuel 5](https://blessbible.app/bible/1-samuel/5/) 12 verses Dagon twice falleth down before the ark. The Philistines are grievously afflicted, wherever the ark cometh. 6. ### [1 Samuel 6](https://blessbible.app/bible/1-samuel/6/) 21 verses The ark is sent back to Bethsames: where many are slain for looking through curiosity into it. 7. ### [1 Samuel 7](https://blessbible.app/bible/1-samuel/7/) 17 verses The 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. 8. ### [1 Samuel 8](https://blessbible.app/bible/1-samuel/8/) 22 verses Samuel growing old, and his sons not walking in his ways, the people desire a king. 9. ### [1 Samuel 9](https://blessbible.app/bible/1-samuel/9/) 27 verses Saul seeking his father's asses, cometh to Samuel, by whom he is entertained. 10. ### [1 Samuel 10](https://blessbible.app/bible/1-samuel/10/) 27 verses Saul is anointed. He prophesieth, and is changed into another man. Samuel calleth the people together, to make a king: the lot falleth on Saul. 11. ### [1 Samuel 11](https://blessbible.app/bible/1-samuel/11/) 15 verses Saul defeateth the Ammonites, and delivereth Jabes Galaad. 12. ### [1 Samuel 12](https://blessbible.app/bible/1-samuel/12/) 25 verses Samuel's integrity is acknowledged. God sheweth by a sign from heaven that they had done ill in asking for a king. 13. ### [1 Samuel 13](https://blessbible.app/bible/1-samuel/13/) 23 verses The war between Saul and the Philistines. The distress of the Israelites. Saul offereth sacrifice before the coming of Samuel: for which he is reproved. 14. ### [1 Samuel 14](https://blessbible.app/bible/1-samuel/14/) 52 verses Jonathan 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. 15. ### [1 Samuel 15](https://blessbible.app/bible/1-samuel/15/) 35 verses Saul 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. 16. ### [1 Samuel 16](https://blessbible.app/bible/1-samuel/16/) 23 verses Samuel is sent to Bethlehem, where he anointeth David: who is taken into Saul's family. 17. ### [1 Samuel 17](https://blessbible.app/bible/1-samuel/17/) 58 verses War with the Philistines. Goliath challengeth Israel. He is slain by David. 18. ### [1 Samuel 18](https://blessbible.app/bible/1-samuel/18/) 30 verses The friendship of Jonathan and David. The envy of Saul, and his design upon David's life. He marrieth him to his daughter Michol. 19. ### [1 Samuel 19](https://blessbible.app/bible/1-samuel/19/) 24 verses Other attempts of Saul upon David's life. He cometh to Samuel. Saul's messengers, and Saul himself prophesy. 20. ### [1 Samuel 20](https://blessbible.app/bible/1-samuel/20/) 43 verses Saul being obstinately bent upon killing David, he is sent away by Jonathan. 21. ### [1 Samuel 21](https://blessbible.app/bible/1-samuel/21/) 15 verses David receiveth holy bread of Achimelech, the priest: and feigneth himself mad before Achis, king of Geth. 22. ### [1 Samuel 22](https://blessbible.app/bible/1-samuel/22/) 23 verses Many resort to David. Doeg accuseth Achimelech to Saul. He ordereth him and all the other priests of Nobe to be slain. Abiathar escapeth. 23. ### [1 Samuel 23](https://blessbible.app/bible/1-samuel/23/) 28 verses David 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. 24. ### [1 Samuel 24](https://blessbible.app/bible/1-samuel/24/) 23 verses Saul seeketh David in the wilderness of Engaddi: he goeth into a cave where David hath him in his power. 25. ### [1 Samuel 25](https://blessbible.app/bible/1-samuel/25/) 44 verses The death of Samuel. David, provoked by Nabal, threateneth to destroy him: but is appeased by Abigail. 26. ### [1 Samuel 26](https://blessbible.app/bible/1-samuel/26/) 25 verses Saul 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. 27. ### [1 Samuel 27](https://blessbible.app/bible/1-samuel/27/) 12 verses David goeth again to Achis king of Geth, and obtaineth of him the city of Siceleg. 28. ### [1 Samuel 28](https://blessbible.app/bible/1-samuel/28/) 25 verses The Philistines go out to war against Israel. Saul being forsaken by God, hath recourse to a witch. Samuel appeareth to him. 29. ### [1 Samuel 29](https://blessbible.app/bible/1-samuel/29/) 11 verses David going with the Philistines is sent back by their princes. 30. ### [1 Samuel 30](https://blessbible.app/bible/1-samuel/30/) 31 verses The Amalecites burn Siceleg, and carry off the prey: David pursueth after them, and recovereth all out of their hands. 31. ### [1 Samuel 31](https://blessbible.app/bible/1-samuel/31/) 13 verses Israel 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](https://blessbible.app/saints/st-francis-of-assisi/) · on [1 Samuel 16:7](https://blessbible.app/bible/1-samuel/16/#v7) 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 | |---|---|---|---| | [Tue, Dec 22, 2026](https://blessbible.app/calendar/2026/12/22/) | Tuesday of the Fourth Week of Advent | First Reading | [1 Samuel 1:24-28](https://blessbible.app/bible/1-samuel/1/) | | [Tue, Dec 22, 2026](https://blessbible.app/calendar/2026/12/22/) | Tuesday of the Fourth Week of Advent | Responsorial Psalm | [1 Samuel 2:1, 4-5, 6-7, 8abcd](https://blessbible.app/bible/1-samuel/2/) | | [Sun, Jan 17, 2027](https://blessbible.app/calendar/2027/01/17/) | Second Sunday in Ordinary Time | First Reading | [1 Samuel 3:3b-10, 19](https://blessbible.app/bible/1-samuel/3/) | | [Wed, Dec 22, 2027](https://blessbible.app/calendar/2027/12/22/) computed | Wednesday of the Fourth Week of Advent | First Reading | [1 Samuel 1:24-28](https://blessbible.app/bible/1-samuel/1/) | | [Wed, Dec 22, 2027](https://blessbible.app/calendar/2027/12/22/) computed | Wednesday of the Fourth Week of Advent | Responsorial Psalm | [1 Samuel 2:1, 4-5, 6-7, 8abcd](https://blessbible.app/bible/1-samuel/2/) | | [Mon, Jan 10, 2028](https://blessbible.app/calendar/2028/01/10/) computed | Monday of the First Week in Ordinary Time | First Reading | [1 Samuel 1:1-8](https://blessbible.app/bible/1-samuel/1/) | | [Tue, Jan 11, 2028](https://blessbible.app/calendar/2028/01/11/) computed | Tuesday of the First Week in Ordinary Time | First Reading | [1 Samuel 1:9-20](https://blessbible.app/bible/1-samuel/1/) | | [Tue, Jan 11, 2028](https://blessbible.app/calendar/2028/01/11/) computed | Tuesday of the First Week in Ordinary Time | Responsorial Psalm | [1 Samuel 2:1, 4-5, 6-7, 8abcd](https://blessbible.app/bible/1-samuel/2/) | 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. [Previous book The Book of Ruth](https://blessbible.app/bible/ruth/) [Next book The Second Book of Samuel](https://blessbible.app/bible/2-samuel/)