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Bible Commentaries
Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments Benson's Commentary
Hannah's Prayer; Samuel's Birth and Dedication.Chapter 2
Hannah's Song; Eli's Wicked Sons Rebuked.Chapter 3
God Calls Samuel; Prophecy Against Eli's House.Chapter 4
Ark Captured by Philistines; Eli's Death.Chapter 5
Ark Brings Plagues Upon the Philistines.Chapter 6
Ark Returned to Israel With Offerings.Chapter 7
Samuel Judges Israel; Philistines Subdued.Chapter 8
Israel Demands a King; Samuel's Warning.Chapter 9
Saul Chosen as Israel's First King.Chapter 10
Saul Anointed by Samuel; Publically Chosen King.Chapter 11
Saul Defeats Ammonites; Confirmed as King.Chapter 12
Samuel's Farewell Speech and Warning to Israel.Chapter 13
Saul's Unlawful Sacrifice; Philistines Threaten Israel.Chapter 14
Jonathan's Victory; Saul's Rash Oath.Chapter 15
Saul's Disobedience; Rejected as King by God.Chapter 16
David Anointed as King; Serves Saul.Chapter 17
David Defeats Goliath With God's Help.Chapter 18
David's Success; Saul's Jealousy Grows.Chapter 19
Saul Tries to Kill David; David Flees.Chapter 20
David and Jonathan's Covenant of Friendship.Chapter 21
David's Flight to Nob; Eats Consecrated Bread.Chapter 22
Saul Kills Priests at Nob; David Gathers Followers.Chapter 23
David Saves Keilah; Saul Continues Pursuit.Chapter 24
David Spares Saul in the Cave.Chapter 25
David and Abigail; Nabal's Death.Chapter 26
David Spares Saul Again; Takes His Spear.Chapter 27
David Flees to Philistia, Lives in Ziklag.Chapter 28
Saul Consults the Witch of Endor.Chapter 29
Philistines Reject David's Participation in Battle.Chapter 30
David Rescues Families From Amalekites.Chapter 31
Saul and His Sons Die in Battle.
- 1 Samuel
by Joseph Benson
THE FIRST BOOK OF SAMUEL,
OTHERWISE CALLED, THE FIRST BOOK OF THE KINGS.
ARGUMENT.
IN this book is contained the history of the Israelites under the two last judges, Eli and Samuel, and under Saul, the first king in Israel; for their form of government was now changed, God, at the people’s desire, appointing Saul to be a king over them, instead of raising them up judges as formerly. We have likewise, in this book, an account of God’s rejection of Saul from the throne, for his disobedience, and of his choosing David in his stead. This and the following book are styled the books of Samuel, because the first contains his story, and in both of them are related the transactions of two kings anointed by him. Samuel himself, probably, wrote the first twenty-four chapters of this book, and the rest, with the second book, might be written by Nathan or Gad, or some other prophet of those times. See 1 Chronicles 29:29. A few passages seem to have been inserted by Ezra, when he collected and revised the books of sacred Scripture. This first book of Samuel contains the history of about eighty years; of which forty passed under the government of Eli, as high-priest and judge, 1 Samuel 4:18; and the other forty under the government of Samuel and Saul, as may be seen Acts 13:21.
