1 Kings

31 chapters

Chapter summaries

The Douay-Rheims’ own argument for each chapter. Tap a number above to read.

1. 1Elcana having two wives, the one called Anna, is barren, and for the same is reproached by the other, called Phenenna. 9. Anna voweth, and prayeth for a man child, 19. conceiveth and beareth a son, calleth him Samuel. 24. and presenteth him to the service of God in Silo.
2. 2Anna giveth thanks in a Canticle. 11. the sons of Heli grievously sinning are reprehended, but not duly corrected, by their father. 21. Anna beareth three sons more, and two daughters. 27. Heli is threatened, 34. and the death of his two sons foretold.
3. 3Samuel thrice called upon in sleep by vision from God, repaireth to Heli, 10. the fourth time our Lord revealeth to him the evil, that shall fall Heli, and his house. 15. Which he, being requested, declareth to Heli.
4. 4The Israelites are beaten in battle by the Philisthiims. 3. Who for their better protection and comfort, fetch the Ark of God into the camp: 10. but are beaten again, the Ark taken, and with many others the two sons of Heli are slain. 13. All which Heli understanding falleth from his seat, and breaketh his neck: 19. also his daughter in law presently travailing of child is delivered of a son.
5. 5Dagon falleth down twice in presence of the Ark, his head and hands broken off. 6. The Philisthiims being sore plagued in all their cities where the ark cometh, 11. determine to send it back to the Israelites.
6. 6The Ark is sent back with five emerods and five mice of gold, upon a new wain drawn by two milch kine, 13. which coming directly to Bethsames are sacrificed, the wain serving for fire, the Levites keep the Ark. 19. Many others are slain looking of curiosity into it.
7. 7The Ark is brought to the house of Abinadab in Gabaa, 3. By Samuel's exhortation, the people cast away the idols and serve only God. 10. Samuel offering sacrifice and praying, Israel prevaileth against the Philisthiims.
8. 8Samuel growing old, and his sons for bribes perverting judgement, the people require to have a king. 7. To whom by God's commandment, Samuel forsheweth the law of a king, to make them cease from their demand, 19. but they persist therein.
9. 9Saul by occasion of seeking his father's asses cometh to Samuel. 15. Who had a revelation of his coming, and a commandment to anoint him. 22. He is entertained and lodged with Samuel.
10. 10Saul is anointed king, and confirmed by signs that his ordinance is of God. 10. He prophesieth, which the people both admire. 17. Samuel calleth the people together, for appointing a king, the lot falleth on Saul. 25. and the law of the king is again mentioned.
11. 11Ammonites fighting against Jabes Galaad, and the city ready to yield, 5. Saul gathereth an army, 11. overthroweth the enemy, 14. and is established King.
12. 12Samuel being justified by the people for his good behaviour, 6. chargeth them with their ingratitude, 14. admonishing them, and shewing by a sign, that they offended in demanding a king. 20. Exhorteth them now to serve God, promiseth to pray for them, and forewarneth them that they shall receive as they deserve.
13. 13Saul and Jonathas prevail in battle against the Philisthiims. 5. Who increasing their forces, 6. for fear flee away and hid themselves, 8. Samuel not coming to the camp, Saul presumeth to offer sacrifice, 11. for the which Samuel reproveth him, and declareth that his kingdom shall be transferred to another. 17. The Philisthiims oppress the Israelites, and deprive them of armour.
14. 14Jonathas trusting in God, accompanied with one man, his father not knowing, goeth into the Philisthiims camp, killeth twenty men and troubleth their whole army. 16. Saul understanding the same, approacheth with his army, and they get a great victory. 24. but Saul having commanded under pain of death, that none should eat till night, Jonathas for tasting a little honey (though ignorant of the prohibition) is judged to die. 45. but the people oppose themselves, and deliver him from death. 47. Saul prospereth in his kingdom, with his family.
15. 15Saul is commanded utterly to destroy the Amalecites. 8. but for taking Agag their king spareth his life, & chief of the prey. 10. For which disobedience (10. though pretending that the best things were reserved for sacrifice) he is deposed from his kingdom. 24. Then acknowledgeth his fault. 32. Samuel cutteth Agag in pieces 35. and mourneth for Saul.
16. 16Samuel by God's commandment anointeth David King. 14. God's spirit parteth from Saul, and a wicked spirit vexeth him. 16. the vexation is mitigated by David's playing on a harp.
17. 17Goliath a Philisthian challengeth any one of Israel to combat. 12. David being sent by his father to visit his brethren. 23. and hearing all Israel so reproachfully provoked, offereth to undertake the challenge: 34. shewing by former acts that he dare accept it. 37. And by his God's special help wherein he trusteth, 49. overthroweth the challenger with a stone of his sling, and cutteth off his head with his own sword. 51. the Philisthiims fleeing are slain, and David bringeth the man's head to Saul.
18. 18David and Jonathas enter league of friendship. 6. Saul hearing David praised above himself is offended, 9. and 10. and vexed with an evil spirit, attempteth twice to kill him: 17. promiseth to give him his eldest daughter in marriage, but giveth her to another, 20. and giveth him the younger, thereby to overthrow him: 25. putting him also in more danger, by requiring of him an hundred prepuces of Philisthiims. 27. David bringeth him two hundred, and his fame increaseth.
19. 19Saul intending to kill David is pacified by Jonathas. 9. Nevertheless attempteth again to kill him, and missing his purpose, 11. sendeth soldiers to take and bring him back that he may be slain, but Michol his wife helpeth him away, and excuseth herself to her father, as if she had done it for fear. 18. David and Samuel flee into Naioth. 20. Again Saul sendeth soldiers after them three times, and they all do prophesy. 22. then himself pursueth David, and also prophesieth.
20. 20Jonathas comforteth David, 5. confirmeth their former league. 18. by an appointed sign (24. endeavouring first, but in vain, to pacify his father) certifieth David of his father's malice against him. 41. They meet again secretly, and sorrowfully part each from other.
21. 21In case of necessity Achimelech the priest giveth hallowed bread to David, 8. also the sword which he had taken from Goliath. 10. then David going to Achis king of Geth, is forced to feign himself mad.
22. 22David with a great retinue goeth to the king of Moab, but by advice of Gad the prophet, returneth into Juda. 6. Saul lamenting that many conspire against him. 9. Doeg accuseth Achimelech, 14. Who justifieth David and himself. 16. He and all the Priests with much people in Nobe are slain; by Saul's commandment, 20. only Abiathar escaping fleeth to David.
23. 23The city of Ceila oppugned by the Philistians is relieved by David. 7. Who fearing to be there betrayed, 13. fleeth into the desert of Ziph. 16. Jonathas repaireth secretly to him, and they confirm again their former league. 19. The Ziphians promise to betray David: 27. but Saul leaveth for a while to persecute him, being forced to defend the land from the Philistians invading it.
24. 24Saul chancing to come into a cave, David being hid with others in the same place, only cutteth the skirt of his cloak, 5. which after showing, Saul acknowledgeth his fault, and ceaseth for a time to persecute him.
25. 25Samuel dieth and is mourned. 2. David requesting, 10. and not obtaining victuals of Nabal, 13. threateneth to kill him 14. but his wife Abigail prudently presenteth the corn, 18. by sending victuals, 23. and giving good words. 37. All which when Nabal understandeth, he fainteth, and after ten days dieth 39. David marrieth Abigail: 43. also Achinoam: 44. and his wife Michol is given to another.
26. 26The Ziphians betraying the place, Saul besiegeth David. 5. who by night goeth where Saul and his men are asleep, 9. killeth him not: 12. but taketh from him his spear and bottle of water: 14. therewith what he hath done. 21. Saul again confesseth his fault, and promiseth peace.
27. 27David for more security goeth again to Achis king of Geth, 5. obtaineth of him the city of Siceleg, (6. by which means it becometh subject to the kings of Juda) 8. and maketh preys upon the enemies of King Achis.
28. 28The Philistians fighting against Saul, David promiseth fidelity to Achis. 3. Saul destroyeth magicians, 6. but God not answering him, 7. seeketh a woman that hath a Python spirit, 12. Willeth her to raise up Samuel. 15. who appearing foretelleth him, that he, and his sons shall die the next day.
29. 29David going with the Philistines towards the war, 4. the princes urge and force the king to send him back.
30. 30David returning to Siceleg, findeth it burned and spoiled, and himself in danger of the people: 7. By our Lords warrant he pursueth the enemy, 11. taketh a guide: 17. recovereth all that was taken away: 22. and rewardeth the soldiers; also those that stayed with the baggage; 25. making it a law for the time to come, that the keepers of the baggage, shall bear like share with those that fight in battle.
31. 31Saul with his sons are slain in battle. 7. the Philistines possess the place, and hang the dead bodies on a wall, 11. but valiant men of Jabes Galaad take them away, and burn them, bury their bones, and fast seven days.