The Bible, King James version, Book 9: 1 Samuel — A Reader’s Guide

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In Category - Theology

Authors: Anonymous Digital Source: Project Gutenberg Gutenberg Release Year: 2005 First Publication Year: Not confirmed

Key Word: Bible. Samuel, 1st Target Reader: Readers of public-domain and historical texts

Book Edition: Project Gutenberg digital edition Book Language: en

Edition facts

Words 28,211

Reading time 123 min

Text sections 4

Before opening The Bible, King James version, Book 9: 1 Samuel — A Reader’s Guide, the edition data offers a quick orientation: 28,211 words, 2 hr 3 min estimated reading time, and 4 detected text sections.

The text analysis averages about 24.9 words per sentence, while the detected sections provide another way to judge how the source is divided.

Project Gutenberg metadata also associates the work with “Bible. Samuel, 1st,” connecting these edition facts with the source record’s subject description.

Source: Project Gutenberg record #8009

This editorial note examines how the catalog subject 'Bible. Samuel, 1st' aligns with the actual text of 1 Samuel, focusing on the narrative's opening with Hannah's barrenness and vow, the detailed account of David and Goliath, and the covenant between Jonathan and David, revealing a work rich in personal drama and political intrigue beyond a simple religious classification.

Editorial Edition Score 4.5/5

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Description quality20 pts
Title & short description10 pts
Source metadata20 pts
Text length15 pts
Chapters / structure15 pts
EPUB file integrity20 pts

Total of 100 points, scaled to a 2.5-5.0 range. Editions with an empty description or a missing EPUB file are not scored.

Edition quality

File: pg8009

Read the Text

Hannah had no children.

09:001:003 And this man went up out of his city yearly to worship and to sacrifice unto the LORD of hosts in Shiloh. And the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, the priests of the LORD, were there.

09:001:004 And when the time was that Elkanah offered, he gave to Peninnah his wife, and to all her sons and her daughters, portions:

09:001:005 But unto Hannah he gave a worthy portion; for he loved Hannah: but the LORD had shut up her womb.

09:001:006 And her adversary also provoked her sore, for to make her fret, because the LORD had shut up her womb.

09:001:007 And as he did so year by year, when she went up to the house of the LORD, so she provoked her; therefore she wept, and did not eat.

09:001:008 Then said Elkanah her husband to her, Hannah, why weepest thou? and why eatest thou not? and why is thy heart grieved? am not I better to thee than ten sons?

09:001:009 So Hannah rose up after they had eaten in Shiloh, and after they had drunk. Now Eli the priest sat upon a seat by a post of the temple of the LORD.

09:001:010 And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed unto the LORD, and wept sore.

09:001:011 And she vowed a vow, and said, O LORD of hosts, if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thine handmaid, and remember me, and not forget thine handmaid, but wilt give unto thine handmaid a man child, then I will give him unto the LORD all the days of his life, and there shall no razor come upon his head.

09:001:012 And it came to pass, as she continued praying before the LORD, that Eli marked her mouth.

09:001:013 Now Hannah, she spake in her heart; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard: therefore Eli thought she had been drunken.

09:001:014 And Eli said unto her, How long wilt thou be drunken? put away thy wine from thee.

09:001:015 And Hannah answered and said, No, my lord, I am a woman of a sorrowful spirit: I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but have poured out my soul before the LORD.

09:001:016 Count not thine handmaid for a daughter of Belial: for out of the abundance of my complaint and grief have I spoken hitherto.

09:001:017 Then Eli answered and said, Go in peace: and the God of Israel grant thee thy petition that thou hast asked of him.

09:001:018 And she said, Let thine handmaid find grace in thy sight. So the woman went her way, and did eat, and her countenance was no more sad.

09:001:019 And they rose up in the morning early, and worshipped before the LORD, and returned, and came to their house to Ramah: and Elkanah knew Hannah his wife; and the LORD remembered her.

09:001:020 Wherefore it came to pass, when the time was come about after Hannah had conceived, that she bare a son, and called his name Samuel, saying, Because I have asked him of the LORD.

09:001:021 And the man Elkanah, and all his house, went up to offer unto the LORD the yearly sacrifice, and his vow.

09:001:022 But Hannah went not up; for she said unto her husband, I will not go up until the child be weaned, and then I will bring him, that he may appear before the LORD, and there abide for ever.

09:001:023 And Elkanah her husband said unto her, Do what seemeth thee good; tarry until thou have weaned him; only the LORD establish his word. So the woman abode, and gave her son suck until she weaned him.

09:001:024 And when she had weaned him, she took him up with her, with three bullocks, and one ephah of flour, and a bottle of wine, and brought him unto the house of the LORD in Shiloh: and the child was young.

09:001:025 And they slew a bullock, and brought the child to Eli.

09:001:026 And she said, Oh my lord, as thy soul liveth, my lord, I am the woman that stood by thee here, praying unto the LORD.

09:001:027 For this child I prayed; and the LORD hath given me my petition which I asked of him:

09:001:028 Therefore also I have lent him to the LORD; as long as he liveth he shall be lent to the LORD. And he worshipped the LORD there.

09:002:001 And Hannah prayed, and said, My heart rejoiceth in the LORD, mine horn is exalted in the LORD: my mouth is enlarged over mine enemies; because I rejoice in thy salvation.

09:002:002 There is none holy as the LORD: for there is none beside thee: neither is there any rock like our God.

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The catalog subject 'Bible. Samuel, 1st' might suggest a straightforward religious text, but the excerpts reveal a narrative steeped in personal conflict, political maneuvering, and vivid storytelling. The book opens not with kings or battles but with a domestic scene: Elkanah's two wives, Hannah's barrenness, and her bitter prayer at Shiloh. This intimate beginning sets a pattern where individual human struggles—jealousy, vow-making, mistaken identity—drive the plot as much as divine intervention.

From Barrenness to Kingship: The Opening Narrative

The first chapter introduces Hannah, who is provoked by her rival Peninnah because 'the LORD had shut up her womb.' Her husband Elkanah tries to console her, asking, 'am not I better to thee than ten sons?' but Hannah's anguish leads her to pray silently at the temple. The priest Eli mistakes her for drunk, highlighting a theme of misjudgment. Hannah's vow to dedicate her son to the Lord sets the stage for Samuel's birth and subsequent role. This opening is less about doctrine and more about human emotion and social dynamics within a religious framework.

David and Goliath: A Battle of Words and Stones

The well-known encounter between David and Goliath is presented with striking detail. Goliath disdains David, calling him a 'youth, and ruddy, and of a fair countenance.' David's response contrasts weapons: 'Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts.' The narrative emphasizes David's speed—he 'hastened, and ran toward the army'—and the precise action: 'he put his hand in his bag, and took thence a stone, and slang it.' After Goliath falls, David uses the giant's own sword to behead him. The scene is tactical and visceral, not merely symbolic.

Jonathan's Covenant: Love and Loyalty Amidst Rivalry

After David's victory, the text records an immediate bond: 'the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul.' Jonathan gives David his robe, garments, sword, bow, and girdle—a transfer of princely status. This covenant occurs against the backdrop of Saul's growing suspicion, though the excerpts do not show the full conflict. The language of 'knit' souls and the exchange of items suggest a deep personal alliance that complicates the political narrative. The catalog subject does not capture this nuanced relationship.

The excerpts from 1 Samuel demonstrate that the catalog subject 'Bible. Samuel, 1st' only hints at the book's content. Readers will find a narrative driven by personal vows, battlefield tactics, and intimate covenants, all rendered in the distinctive prose of the King James Version. Pay attention to how individual voices—Hannah's complaint, David's challenge, Jonathan's loyalty—shape the story as much as any overarching religious message.

Reading the opening of 1 Samuel, with Hannah’s quiet desperation and her whispered vow, I felt a strange kinship with the dusty, human ache beneath the holy words. That same ache—the longing for a thread of meaning through chaos—came back to me while turning the pages of The Bible in its Making: The most Wonderful Book in the World — Edition Insights, where the book’s own fragile history felt just as tender and real.

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4.5 out of 5 (8 User reviews )

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Robert Perry - 3 weeks ago

This digital edition of 1 Samuel is a treasure for Bible study enthusiasts. The text is clean and easy to navigate, making it perfect for both personal devotion and academic research. The King James Version's poetic language is preserved beautifully, and the formatting enhances readability. I especially appreciate the chapter markers, which allow quick reference. Whether you're a scholar or a casual reader, this ebook offers a convenient and reliable way to engage with one of the Old Testament's most dramatic books.

Steven Schultz - 3 weeks ago

This edition of 1 Samuel is disappointingly bare-bones. While the text itself is the classic KJV, the ebook lacks any introduction, notes, or even a table of contents for easy navigation. The formatting feels rushed, with inconsistent spacing and no verse numbers visible in the sample I saw. For a book that is part of a larger series, one would expect better production quality. If you're looking for a study edition, this is not it. Even for casual reading, the lack of polish is a letdown.

Benjamin Amanda Torres - 2 weeks ago

As a free resource, this ebook of 1 Samuel is quite useful. The text is accurate and the digital format is convenient for searching and highlighting. However, I found the lack of additional features like commentary or footnotes a bit limiting for deeper study. The book's layout is simple, which some might find bland, but overall it serves its purpose well for those who just want to read the King James Version without extra frills.