1 Samuel - NIV

by Anonymous

Unknown Binding

About the author

Books can be attributed to "Anonymous" for several reasons:

* They are officially published under that name
* They are traditional stories not attributed to a specific author
* They are religious texts not generally attributed to a specific author

Books whose authorship is merely uncertain should be attributed to Unknown.

See also: Anonymous

Reviews

[Catherine]

Finished this a while ago but didn't update it. I decided I'm not going to rate books of the Bible because they're all automatically 5 stars 😂 My favorite verse: “But the Lord said to Samuel, ‘Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.’” - 1 Samuel 16:7

[Molly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Next to Judges, this is one of the most action-filled books of the Bible. We begin with the birth of Samuel, the last judge; see the rise and fall of Saul, the rise of David (plus Goliath!) and end with Saul and his sons’ deaths.

I think when you grow up with these accounts, it’s easy to lose a sense of just how violent this time in history was. I just started watching the first season of House of David, and it’s wild how the seeing of some of these events after reading them for so long viscerally changes your perception of them and the people who were involved. For example, Agag. I’ve always felt that getting hacked to death was a bit harsh. But after seeing his portrayal on the show, it made me think harder about the text and what we know about the Amalekites. That helped me realize that it was much more justified than I’ve given Samuel credit for in the past.
(Side note: if you like The Chosen, you’ll like House of David, from what I’ve seen of it so far. If you don’t appreciate The Chosen, skip House of David. Yep, I’m 100% discussing a show in a book review. It helped me think about the book in ways I haven’t yet, so it’s involved this time around.)

As usual, Jonathan is my FAVORITE. Such a solid guy. Loyal friend, quality person, really seemed to love the Lord and be submitted to His plan. He had impressive military skills too, something I noticed more this round. I hate that he had to die with his father in battle, but I suppose there were worse ways for him to go.
Least favorite? Doeg the Edomite. What a rat. (That’s what people call you when your tattle-telling gets 85 priests and their households killed.)
Most remarkable: Hannah, for her commitment to the Lord (David is an easy pick, so he doesn’t count). I can’t imagine giving up your child after having wanted one and prayed for one for so long. Her follow-through is inspiring.
Most unfortunate: I think this one has to go to Jonathan. He couldn’t help that he had a terrible father. But God still used Jonathan to shape David, and thus history, in spite of his family.
Favorite scene: absolutely David and Goliath. Although discounting that, Samuel telling Hannah to lose her wine, and her horrified comeback of “um I was praying?” A close second is Michal fooling the soldiers by putting an idol with some goat’s hair on top in David’s bed.

[Joan Haughton · Rating 5 out of 5]

First Samuel a mighty prophet of God, not one of his words fall to the ground meaning everything he spoke came to pass. Samuel was also the last Judge over Israel, the people asked for a King to rule over them and fight for them like the other people when God was their King. Samuel anointed Saul the Benjamite to be the first King over Israel. Saul was disobedient and the kingdom was torn from him and David was anointed to be King. Saul was jealous of David when he killed Goliath and the women sang that Saul killed his thousands but David tens of thousands. David spend most of 1 Samuel running and hiding from Saul. On two occasions David had the chance to kill Saul but he did not because he would not touch the Lord's anointed. Although David was anointed he went through diverse trials and had to wait until the appointed time for him to be King, he was a mighty warrior who always inquired of the Lord before he went to battle.

Bless the name of Jesus!

[Abe Gabe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book of Samuel, the last Judge and chooser of the first King of Israel, Saul the Benjamite and also ajouter of King of Judah. So we can all agree that he was the most important Judge and also the one of the noblest Israelites and also one of the most sacred prophets of Yahweh. From his birth until his death, he hadn’t done anything wrong unlike other prophets even Moses who misspelled one of the Yahweh’s orders. He did and told exactly what Yahweh wanted him to say & told, that’s why he’s one of the noblest prophets of Israel and also best Judge. God loved him and king Saul & David respected him and Israelites believed in him. His mother endowed him to god even before his seed was formed and she endowed him to the temple and Koheins in his childhood. So he became the holiest man of the Israel and also the messenger of God, one of the fewest people whom God spoke with directly. He chooses Saul as the king of Israel but he also noticed his downfall after Saul disobeyed God’s commands. After that he never saw Saul alive until Saul summoned his soul by a witch which was another disobedience from him because God command Israelites never to summon dead people’s soul as it’s a great sin. I don’t know why god sent evil spirits to Saul!!!??? If God had chosen Saul as the Israel’s first King, why should have he sent bad spirits into Saul’s mind? After all Saul wasn’t a good man because he tried to kill David after he got jealous of him. Also I don’t know why David should have gone to the Palestinians and demanded Achish for shelter. Wasn’t that too much hypocrisy for the future King? Also why should have they gone with Palestinians to fight against Israelites? Had they really decided to fight against their own brothers? If they wanted to attack Palestinians from behind, why should have they left their wives & children alone? Didn’t Amalekians attack their city and took their wives and children hostage? They were lucky because David could speak with God and ask him about the future. Anyway the ending was really upsetting because Israelites got defeated and Saul got killed along with all of his sons. After all Israelites got what they wanted while Yahweh told them that they were really wrong by asking a King from God, because God is the one and only God that Israelites should have had. So Let’s appreciate our mighty God for our beautiful life and also for the most sacred thing ever in our physical world, the holy blood of our Lord, Jesus Christ.
Heavenly Father, we come before you in the name of Jesus, giving thanks for the blood that was shed for us. We are grateful for the forgiveness and redemption that we have through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
Thank you, Lord, for hearing our prayer and for your unwavering love and grace. We trust in your goodness and believe that you will bring about a positive transformation in alg's perspective and mindset. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

[Cassie · Rating 4 out of 5]

There’s so much to love about 1 Samuel. The obedience with Hannah giving up her son, Samuel’s reply to God’s voice, David rising up to defeat Goliath… it’s all so good. I especially love Jonathan and David’s friendship, the way that we can face our giants with God, and the hope and truth that the battle belongs to the Lord! “Speak Lord, Your servant is listening!”

[Dennis Brock · Rating 5 out of 5]

5/5 DAVID

[Rin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stunning historical events. Actions packed and full of human nature.