Discovery Box1 Samuel 1:1 
Context1:1 There was a man from Ramathaim Zophim, 1 from the hill country of Ephraim, whose name was Elkanah. He was the son of Jeroham, the son of Elihu, the son of Tohu, the son of Zuph, an Ephraimite.
1 Samuel 1:22
Context1:22 but Hannah did not go up with them. 2 Instead she told her husband, “Once the boy is weaned, I will bring him and appear before the Lord, and he will remain there from then on.”
1 Samuel 1:24
Context1:24 Once she had weaned him, she took him up with her, along with three bulls, an ephah 3 of flour, and a container 4 of wine. She brought him to the Lord’s house at Shiloh, even though he was young. 5
1 Samuel 2:16
Context2:16 If the individual said to him, “First let the fat be burned away, and then take for yourself whatever you wish,” he would say, “No! 6 Hand it over right now! If you don’t, I will take it forcibly!”
1 Samuel 3:8-9
Context3:8 Then the Lord called Samuel a third time. So he got up and went to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you called me!” Eli then realized that it was the Lord who was calling the boy. 3:9 So Eli said to Samuel, “Go back and lie down. When he calls you, say, “Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.” So Samuel went back and lay down in his place.
1 Samuel 5:7
Context5:7 When the people 7 of Ashdod saw what was happening, they said, “The ark of the God of Israel should not remain with us, for he has attacked 8 both us and our god Dagon!”
1 Samuel 5:9
Context5:9 But after it had been moved the Lord attacked 9 that city as well, causing a great deal of panic. He struck all the people of that city 10 with sores. 11
1 Samuel 6:5
Context6:5 You should make images of the sores and images of the mice 12 that are destroying the land. You should honor the God of Israel. Perhaps he will release his grip on you, your gods, and your land. 13
1 Samuel 7:10
Context7:10 As Samuel was offering burnt offerings, the Philistines approached to do battle with Israel. 14 But on that day the Lord thundered loudly against the Philistines. He caused them to panic, and they were defeated by 15 Israel.
1 Samuel 8:12
Context8:12 He will appoint for himself leaders of thousands and leaders of fifties, 16 as well as those who plow his ground, reap his harvest, and make his weapons of war and his chariot equipment.
1 Samuel 9:1
Context9:1 There was a Benjaminite man named Kish son of Abiel, the son of Zeror, the son of Becorath, the son of Aphiah of Benjamin. He was a prominent person.
1 Samuel 9:8-9
Context9:8 The servant went on to answer Saul, “Look, I happen to have in my hand a quarter shekel 17 of silver. I will give it to the man of God and he will tell us where we should go.” 18 9:9 (Now it used to be in Israel that whenever someone went to inquire of God he would say, “Come on, let’s go to the seer.” For today’s prophet used to be called a seer.)
1 Samuel 9:26
Context9:26 They got up at dawn and Samuel called to Saul on the roof, “Get up, so I can send you on your way.” So Saul got up and the two of them – he and Samuel – went outside.
1 Samuel 10:10
Context10:10 When Saul and his servant 19 arrived at Gibeah, a company of prophets was coming out to meet him. Then the spirit of God rushed upon Saul 20 and he prophesied among them.
1 Samuel 10:16
Context10:16 Saul said to his uncle, “He assured us that the donkeys had been found.” But Saul 21 did not tell him what Samuel had said about the matter of kingship.
1 Samuel 10:25
Context10:25 Then Samuel talked to the people about how the kingship would work. 22 He wrote it all down on a scroll and set it before the Lord. Then Samuel sent all the people away to their homes.
1 Samuel 11:5
Context11:5 Now Saul was walking behind the 23 oxen as he came from the field. Saul asked, “What has happened to the people? Why are they weeping?” So they told him about 24 the men of Jabesh.
1 Samuel 12:11
Context12:11 So the Lord sent Jerub-Baal, 25 Barak, 26 Jephthah, and Samuel, 27 and he delivered you from the hand of the enemies all around you, and you were able to live securely.
1 Samuel 12:14
Context12:14 If you fear the Lord, serving him and obeying him 28 and not rebelling against what he says, 29 and if both you and the king who rules over you follow the Lord your God, all will be well. 30
1 Samuel 14:1
Context14:1 Then one day Jonathan son of Saul said to his armor bearer, 31 “Come on, let’s go over to the Philistine garrison that is opposite us.” But he did not let his father know.
1 Samuel 14:33
Context14:33 Now it was reported to Saul, “Look, the army is sinning against the Lord by eating even the blood.” He said, “All of you have broken the covenant! 32 Roll a large stone over here to me.”
1 Samuel 14:39-40
Context14:39 For as surely as the Lord, the deliverer of Israel, lives, even if it turns out to be my own son Jonathan, he will certainly die!” But no one from the army said anything. 33
14:40 Then he said to all Israel, “You will be on one side, and I and my son Jonathan will be on the other side.” The army replied to Saul, “Do whatever you think is best.”
1 Samuel 14:52
Context14:52 There was fierce war with the Philistines all the days of Saul. So whenever Saul saw anyone who was a warrior or a brave individual, he would conscript him.
1 Samuel 15:12
Context15:12 Then Samuel got up early to meet Saul the next morning. But Samuel was informed, “Saul has gone to Carmel where 34 he is setting up a monument for himself. Then Samuel left 35 and went down to Gilgal.” 36
1 Samuel 15:22-23
Context15:22 Then Samuel said,
“Does the Lord take pleasure in burnt offerings and sacrifices
as much as he does in obedience? 37
Certainly, 38 obedience 39 is better than sacrifice;
paying attention is better than 40 the fat of rams.
15:23 For rebellion is like the sin of divination,
and presumption is like the evil of idolatry.
Because you have rejected the word of the Lord,
he has rejected you as 41 king.”
1 Samuel 16:4
Context16:4 Samuel did what the Lord told him. 42 When he arrived in Bethlehem, 43 the elders of the city were afraid to meet him. They 44 said, “Do you come in peace?”
1 Samuel 16:18
Context16:18 One of his attendants replied, 45 “I have seen a son of Jesse in Bethlehem 46 who knows how to play the lyre. He is a brave warrior 47 and is articulate 48 and handsome, 49 for the Lord is with him.”
1 Samuel 17:9
Context17:9 If he is able to fight with me and strike me down, we will become your servants. But if I prevail against him and strike him down, you will become our servants and will serve us.”
1 Samuel 17:33
Context17:33 But Saul replied to David, “You aren’t able to go against this Philistine and fight him! You’re just a boy! He has been a warrior from his youth!”
1 Samuel 17:36
Context17:36 Your servant has struck down both the lion and the bear. This uncircumcised Philistine will be just like one of them. 50 For he has defied the armies of the living God!”
1 Samuel 17:40
Context17:40 He took his staff in his hand, picked out five smooth stones from the stream, placed them in the pouch 51 of his shepherd’s bag, took his sling in hand, and approached the Philistine.
1 Samuel 17:47
Context17:47 and all this assembly will know that it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves! For the battle is the Lord’s, and he will deliver you into our hand.”
1 Samuel 17:50-51
Context17:50 52 David prevailed over the Philistine with just the sling and the stone. He struck down the Philistine and killed him. David did not even have a sword in his hand. 53 17:51 David ran and stood over the Philistine. He grabbed Goliath’s 54 sword, drew it from its sheath, 55 killed him, and cut off his head with it. When the Philistines saw their champion was dead, they ran away.
1 Samuel 18:4
Context18:4 Jonathan took off the robe he was wearing and gave it to David, along with the rest of his gear, including his sword, his bow, and even his belt.
1 Samuel 18:10
Context18:10 The next day an evil spirit from God rushed upon Saul and he prophesied within his house. Now David was playing the lyre 56 that day. There was a spear in Saul’s hand,
1 Samuel 19:10
Context19:10 Saul tried to nail David to the wall with the spear, but he escaped from Saul’s presence and the spear drove into the wall. 57 David escaped quickly 58 that night.
1 Samuel 20:31
Context20:31 For as long as 59 this son of Jesse is alive on the earth, you and your kingdom will not be established. Now, send some men 60 and bring him to me. For he is as good as dead!” 61
1 Samuel 21:1
Context21:1 (21:2) David went to Ahimelech the priest in Nob. Ahimelech was shaking with fear when he met 62 David, and said to him, “Why are you by yourself with no one accompanying you?”
1 Samuel 22:3
Context22:3 Then David went from there to Mizpah in Moab, where he said to the king of Moab, “Please let my father and mother stay 63 with you until I know what God is going to do for me.”
1 Samuel 22:7
Context22:7 Saul said to his servants who were stationed around him, “Listen up, you Benjaminites! Is Jesse’s son giving fields and vineyards to all of you? Or is he making all of you 64 commanders and officers? 65
1 Samuel 22:14
Context22:14 Ahimelech replied to the king, “Who among all your servants is faithful like David? He is the king’s son-in-law, the leader of your bodyguard, and honored in your house!
1 Samuel 22:18
Context22:18 Then the king said to Doeg, “You turn and strike down the priests!” So Doeg the Edomite turned and struck down the priests. He killed on that day eighty-five 66 men who wore the linen ephod.
1 Samuel 22:22
Context22:22 Then David said to Abiathar, “I knew that day when Doeg the Edomite was there that he would certainly tell Saul! I am guilty 67 of all the deaths in your father’s house!
1 Samuel 23:7
Context23:7 When Saul was told that David had come to Keilah, Saul said, “God has delivered 68 him into my hand, for he has boxed himself into a corner by entering a city with two barred gates.” 69
1 Samuel 23:11
Context23:11 Will the leaders of Keilah deliver me into his hand? Will Saul come down as your servant has heard? O Lord God of Israel, please inform your servant!”
Then the Lord said, “He will come down.”
1 Samuel 23:17
Context23:17 He said to him, “Don’t be afraid! For the hand of my father Saul cannot find you. You will rule over Israel, and I will be your second in command. Even my father Saul realizes this.”
1 Samuel 23:25
Context23:25 Saul and his men went to look for him. 70 But David was informed and went down to the rock and stayed in the desert of Maon. When Saul heard about it, he pursued David in the desert of Maon.
1 Samuel 24:3
Context24:3 He came to the sheepfolds by the road, where there was a cave. Saul went into it to relieve himself. 71
Now David and his men were sitting in the recesses of the cave.
1 Samuel 24:8
Context24:8 Afterward David got up and went out of the cave. He called out after Saul, “My lord, O king!” When Saul looked behind him, David kneeled down and bowed with his face to the ground.
1 Samuel 24:19
Context24:19 Now if a man finds his enemy, does he send him on his way in good shape? May the Lord repay you with good this day for what you have done to me.
1 Samuel 25:3
Context25:3 The man’s name was Nabal, 72 and his wife’s name was Abigail. She was both wise 73 and beautiful, but the man was harsh and his deeds were evil. He was a Calebite.
1 Samuel 25:17
Context25:17 Now be aware of this, and see what you can do. For disaster has been planned for our lord and his entire household. 74 He is such a wicked person 75 that no one tells him anything!”
1 Samuel 25:21
Context25:21 Now David had been thinking, 76 “In vain I guarded everything that belonged to this man in the desert. I didn’t take anything from him. But he has repaid my good with evil.
1 Samuel 25:35-36
Context25:35 Then David took from her hand what she had brought to him. He said to her, “Go back 77 to your home in peace. Be assured that I have listened to you 78 and responded favorably.” 79
25:36 When Abigail went back to Nabal, he was holding a banquet in his house like that of the king. Nabal was having a good time 80 and was very intoxicated. She told him absolutely nothing 81 until morning’s light.
1 Samuel 26:3
Context26:3 Saul camped by the road on the hill of Hakilah near Jeshimon, but David was staying in the desert. When he realized that Saul had come to the desert to find 82 him,
1 Samuel 28:9
Context28:9 But the woman said to him, “Look, you are aware of what Saul has done; he has removed 83 the mediums and magicians 84 from the land! Why are you trapping me 85 so you can put me to death?”
1 Samuel 28:20-21
Context28:20 Saul quickly fell full length on the ground and was very afraid because of Samuel’s words. He was completely drained of energy, 86 not having eaten anything 87 all that day and night. 28:21 When the woman came to Saul and saw how terrified he was, she said to him, “Your servant has done what you asked. 88 I took my life into my own hands and did what you told me. 89
1 Samuel 29:9
Context29:9 Achish replied to David, “I am convinced that you are as reliable 90 as the angel of God! However, the leaders of the Philistines have said, ‘He must not go up with us in the battle.’
1 Samuel 30:8
Context30:8 David inquired of the Lord, saying, “Should I pursue this raiding band? Will I overtake them?” He said to him, “Pursue, for you will certainly overtake them and carry out a rescue!”
1 Samuel 30:12
Context30:12 They gave him a slice of pressed figs and two bunches of raisins to eat. This greatly refreshed him, 91 for he had not eaten food or drunk water for three days and three nights.
1 Samuel 30:23
Context30:23 But David said, “No! You shouldn’t do this, my brothers. Look at what the Lord has given us! 92 He has protected us and has delivered into our hands the raiding party that came against us.
1 Samuel 30:26
Context30:26 When David came to Ziklag, he sent some of the plunder to the elders of Judah who were his friends, saying, “Here’s a gift 93 for you from the looting of the Lord’s enemies!”
1 tc The translation follows the MT. The LXX reads “a man from Ramathaim, a Zuphite”; this is followed by a number of recent English translations. It is possible the MT reading צוֹפִים (tsofim) arose from dittography of the mem (מ) at the beginning of the following word.
2 tn The disjunctive clause is contrastive here. The words “with them” have been supplied in the translation for stylistic reasons.
3 sn The ephah was a standard dry measure in OT times; it was the equivalent of one-tenth of the OT measure known as a homer. The ephah was equal to approximately one-half to two-thirds of a bushel.
4 tn The Hebrew term translated “container” may denote either a clay storage jar (cf. CEV “a clay jar full of wine”) or a leather container (cf. NAB, NIV, NRSV “a skin of wine”; NCV “a leather bag filled with (full of TEV) wine.”
5 tc Heb “and the boy was a boy.” If the MT is correct the meaning apparently is that the boy was quite young at the time of these events. On the other hand, some scholars have suspected a textual problem, emending the text to read either “and the boy was with them” (so LXX) or “and the boy was with her” (a conjectural emendation). In spite of the difficulty it seems best to stay with the MT here.
6 tc The translation follows the Qere and many medieval Hebrew
7 tn Heb “men.”
8 tn Heb “for his hand is severe upon.”
9 tn Heb “the hand of the
10 tn Heb “and he struck the men of the city from small and to great.”
11 tn See the note on this term in v. 6. Cf. KJV “and they had emerods in their secret parts.”
12 tn Heb “your mice.” A Qumran
13 tn Heb “Perhaps he will lighten his hand from upon you and from upon your gods and from upon your land.”
14 tn Heb “approached for battle against Israel.”
15 tn Heb “before.”
16 tc The numbers of v. 12 are confused in the Greek and Syriac versions. For “fifties” the LXX has “hundreds.” The Syriac Peshitta has “heads of thousands and heads of hundreds and heads of fifties and heads of tens,” perhaps reflecting influence from Deut 1:15.
17 sn A quarter shekel of silver would weigh about a tenth of an ounce (about 3 grams).
18 tn Heb “our way.”
19 tc Two medieval Hebrew
tn Heb “they”; the referents (Saul and his servant) have been specified in the translation for clarity.
20 tn Heb “him”; the referent (Saul) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
21 tn Heb “he”; the referent (Saul) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
22 tn Heb “the regulation of the kingship.” This probably refers to the regulations pertaining to kingship given to Moses (see Deut 17:14-20).
23 tn Or perhaps, “his oxen.” On this use of the definite article see Joüon 2:506-7 §137.f.
24 tn Heb “the matters of.”
25 sn Jerub-Baal (יְרֻבַּעַל) is also known as Gideon (see Judg 6:32). The Book of Judges uses both names for him.
26 tc The MT has “Bedan” (בְּדָן) here (cf. KJV, NASB, CEV). But a deliverer by this name is not elsewhere mentioned in the OT. The translation follows the LXX and the Syriac Peshitta in reading “Barak.”
27 tc In the ancient versions there is some confusion with regard to these names, both with regard to the particular names selected for mention and with regard to the order in which they are listed. For example, the LXX has “Jerub-Baal, Barak, Jephthah, and Samuel.” But the Targum has “Gideon, Samson, Jephthah, and Samuel,” while the Syriac Peshitta has “Deborah, Barak, Gideon, Jephthah, and Samson.”
28 tn Heb “and you listen to his voice.”
29 tn Heb “the mouth of the
30 tn The words “all will be well” are supplied in the translation for stylistic reasons.
31 tn Or “the servant who was carrying his military equipment” (likewise in vv. 6, 7, 12, 13, 14).
32 tn Heb “You have acted deceptively.” In this context the verb refers to violating an agreement, in this case the dietary and sacrificial regulations of the Mosaic law. The verb form is second masculine plural; apparently Saul here addresses those who are eating the animals.
33 tn Heb “and there was no one answering from all the army.”
34 tn Heb “and look.”
35 tn Heb “and he turned and crossed over.”
36 tc At the end of v. 12 the LXX and one Old Latin
37 tn Heb “as [in] listening to the voice of the
38 tn Heb “look.”
39 tn Heb “listening.”
40 tn The expression “is better” is understood here by ellipsis (see the immediately preceding statement).
41 tn Or “from [being].”
42 tn Heb “said.”
43 map For location see Map5 B1; Map7 E2; Map8 E2; Map10 B4.
44 tc In the MT the verb is singular (“he said”), but the translation follows many medieval Hebrew
45 tn Heb “answered and said.”
46 map For location see Map5 B1; Map7 E2; Map8 E2; Map10 B4.
47 tn Heb “mighty man of valor and a man of war.”
48 tn Heb “discerning of word.”
49 tn Heb “a man of form.”
50 tc The LXX includes here the following words not found in the MT: “Should I not go and smite him, and remove today reproach from Israel? For who is this uncircumcised one?”
51 tn This Hebrew word occurs only here and its exact meaning is not entirely clear. It refers to a receptacle of some sort and apparently was a common part of a shepherd’s equipment. Here it serves as a depository for the stones that David will use in his sling.
52 tc Most LXX
53 tn Verse 50 is a summary statement; v. 51 gives a more detailed account of how David killed the Philistine.
54 tn Heb “his”; the referent (Goliath) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
55 tc Most LXX
56 tn The Hebrew text adds here “with his hand.”
57 tn Heb “and he drove the spear into the wall.”
58 tn Heb “fled and escaped.”
59 tn Heb “all the days that.”
60 tn The words “some men” are supplied in the translation for stylistic reasons.
61 tn Heb “a son of death.”
62 tn Heb “trembled to meet.”
63 tn Heb “go forth.”
64 tc The MT has “to all of you.” If this reading is correct, we have here an example of a prepositional phrase functioning as the equivalent of a dative of advantage, which is not impossible from a grammatical point of view. However, the LXX, the Syriac Peshitta, and Vulgate all have “and.” A conjunction rather than a preposition should probably be read on the front of this phrase.
65 tn Heb “officers of a thousand and officers of a hundred.”
66 tc The number is confused in the Greek
67 tc The translation follows the LXX, which reads “I am guilty,” rather than the MT, which has “I have turned.”
68 tn The MT reading (“God has alienated him into my hand”) in v. 7 is a difficult and uncommon idiom. The use of this verb in Jer 19:4 is somewhat parallel, but not entirely so. Many scholars have therefore suspected a textual problem here, emending the word נִכַּר (nikkar, “alienated”) to סִכַּר (sikkar, “he has shut up [i.e., delivered]”). This is the idea reflected in the translations of the Syriac Peshitta and Vulgate, although it is not entirely clear whether they are reading something different from the MT or are simply paraphrasing what for them too may have been a difficult text. The LXX has “God has sold him into my hands,” apparently reading מַכַר (makar, “sold”) for MT’s נִכַּר. The present translation is a rather free interpretation.
69 tn Heb “with two gates and a bar.” Since in English “bar” could be understood as a saloon, it has been translated as an attributive: “two barred gates.”
70 tn Heb “to search.”
71 tn Heb “to cover his feet,” an idiom (euphemism) for relieving oneself (cf. NAB “to ease nature”).
72 sn The name נָבָל (Nabal) means “foolish” or “senseless” in Hebrew, and as an adjective the word is used especially of persons who have no perception of ethical or religious claims. It is an apt name for this character, who certainly typifies such behavior.
73 tn Heb “good of insight”; KJV “of good understanding”; NAB, NIV, TEV “intelligent”; NRSV “clever.”
74 tn Heb “all his house” (so ASV, NRSV); NAB, NLT “his whole family.”
75 tn Heb “he is a son of worthlessness.”
76 tn Heb “said.”
77 tn Heb “up.”
78 tn Heb “your voice.”
79 tn Heb “I have lifted up your face.”
80 tn Heb “and the heart of Nabal was good upon him”; NASB, NRSV “Nabal’s heart was merry within him”; NIV “he was in high spirits”; NCV, TEV “was in a good mood”; CEV “was very drunk and feeling good.”
81 tn Heb “and she did not tell him a thing, small or large.”
82 tn Heb “after.”
83 tn Heb “how he has cut off.”
85 tn Heb “my life.”
86 tn Heb “also there was no strength in him.”
87 tn Heb “food.”
88 tn Heb “listened to your voice.”
89 tn Heb “listened to your words that you spoke to me.”
90 tn Heb “I know that you are good in my eyes.”
91 tn Heb “his spirit returned to him.”
92 tc This clause is difficult in the MT. The present translation accepts the text as found in the MT and understands this clause to be elliptical, with an understood verb such as “look” or “consider.” On the other hand, the LXX seems to reflect a slightly different Hebrew text, reading “after” where the MT has “my brothers.” The Greek translation yields the following translation: “You should not do this after the
93 tn Heb “blessing.”
