Study questions, maps, charts, key words, history, background, outlines, and links to help you study the Old Testament books of 1&2 Samuel
Bible Study: 1 Samuel: Path to Kingship
Bible Study: 2 Samuel: David as King
Bible Study: The Rebellion of Absalom
Background & Outlines
- Chart: Bible History at a glance
- Blue Letter Bible: Old Testament Timeline
- Chart: Saul’s Family Tree
- Chart: David’s Family Tree
- Bible Atlas: Jerusalem
1 Samuel
- Biblehub: 1 Samuel Overview
- Biblehub: 1 Samuel Chronology
- Ray C Stedman: Overview of the Book
- John MacArthur: Author, Date, Background
2 Samuel
- Biblehub: 2 Samuel Overview
- Biblehub: 2 Samuel Chronology
- Ray C Stedman: Overview of the Book
- John MacArthur: Author, Date, Background
Bible Study Helps
- Bible Study 101
- Interpreting Narratives
- Study Software & websites
- More Maps & Charts
- Hebrew word studies by Precepts Austin
- Books on how to study the Bible
Maps from Bible-History.com
Maps from Studylight.org
The Kingdom of David and Solomon
David’s Rise to Power — David in Conquest of Canaan — David’s Wars of Conquest — Kingdom of David and Solomon — The United Monarchy under Solomon (1) — The United Monarchy under Solomon (2) — Solomon’s Economic Enterprises — Solomon’s Building Activities — Solomon’s Temple — Jerusalem in the Time of David and Solomon
The Kingdoms of Israel and Judah
The Kingdoms of Israel and Judah (1) — The Kingdoms of Israel and Judah (2) — The Kingdoms of Israel and Judah (3) — The Campaign of Shishak — Conflicts between Israel and Aram-Damascus — The Omride Dynasty — The Golden Ages of the 9th & 8th centuries BCE — Phoenician Trade and Civilization — Trade Routes throughout the Middle East — Travel Routes throughout Palestine — Elijah and Elisha — The Revolt of Jehu — The Rise of Assyria — Israel & Judah in the days of Jeroboam II and Uzziah — The Assyrian Empire under Tiglath-Pileser III — The Syro-Ephraimite War — Tiglath-Pileser III’s Campaigns — Fall of Samaria and Deportation of Israelites — The Fall of the Kingdom of Israel — Assyrian Districts after the Fall of Samaria — Prophets of the 8th Century BCE
Judah Alone amid International Powers
Hezekiah’s Preparation for Revolt — Judah under King Hezekiah — Hezekiah’s Jerusalem — Sennacherib’s Campaign against Judah — Assyria in the 7th century BCE — The Rise of the Neo-Babylonian Empire — The Reign of Josiah — The Districts of Judah under King Josiah — The Golden Age of King Josiah; Nebuchadnezzar’s Campaigns against Judah
Dictionaries & Encyclopedias
Samuel Books
- Samuel, First & Second, Theology of – Baker’s Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology
- Samuel, Books of – Holman Bible Dictionary
- Samuel, Books of – Hastings Dictionary of the Bible
- Samuel, Books – Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature
- Samuel, Books of – International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
- Samuel, Books of – Kitto’s Popular Cyclopedia of Biblical Literature
David
- David – Baker’s Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology
- David – Holman Bible Dictionary
- David – Hastings Dictionary of the Bible
- David – Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature
- David – International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
- David – Kitto’s Popular Cyclopedia of Biblical Literature
- David means “well-beloved” – Hitchcock’s Bible Names
Samuel the prophet
- Samuel – Holman Bible Dictionary
- Samuel – Hastings Dictionary of the Bible
- Samuel – Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature
- Samuel – International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
- Samuel– Kitto’s Popular Cyclopedia of Biblical Literature
- Samuel means “Heard of God, asked of God” – Hitchcock’s Bible Names
Saul
- Saul – Holman Bible Dictionary
- Saul – Hastings Dictionary of the Bible
- Saul – Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature
- Saul – International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
- Saul – Kitto’s Popular Cyclopedia of Biblical Literature
- Saul means “demanded, lent, ditch, death” – Hitchcock’s Bible Names
King, Kingship
- King, Kingship – Baker’s Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology
- King, Kingship – Holman Bible Dictionary
- King, Kingship – Hastings Dictionary of the Bible
- King, Kingship – Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature
- King, Kingdom– International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
- King, Kingship – Kitto’s Popular Cyclopedia of Biblical Literature
Commentary Recommendations:
- Best Commentaries on 1 & 2 Samuel – Ligonier.org
- Best Commentaries on 1 & 2 Samuel – Tim Challies
- 1-2 Samuel Commentaries Reviews
1 Samuel
- 1 Samuel: Looking on the Heart by Dale Ralph Davis (My favorite)
- Albert Barnes Notes on the Whole Bible: 1 Samuel
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Complete Commentary on the Bible: 1 Samuel
- Geneva Study Bible: 1 Samuel
- Reformation Study Bible Notes 1 Samuel
- Precept Austin Commentaries & Sermons: 1 Samuel
2 Samuel
- 2 Samuel: Out of Every Adversity by Dale Ralph Davis (My favorite)
- Albert Barnes Notes on the Whole Bible: 2 Samuel
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Complete Commentary on the Bible: 2 Samuel
- Geneva Study Bible: 2 Samuel
- Reformation Study Bible Notes 2 Samuel
- Precept Austin Commentaries & Sermons: 2 Samuel
