1 Samuel on the Bible timeline

1 Samuel holds 20 events on the timeline. Here they are in the order they happened, each with its place in the wider story.

Events in 1 Samuel, in order

• Israel Demands a King · about 1050 BC
  The elders ask Samuel for a king like other nations, and God grants it despite warnings.
• Samuel Anoints Saul · about 1050 BC
  Saul goes searching for lost donkeys and is anointed privately as Israel's first king.
• Saul Rescues Jabesh-gilead · about 1049 BC
  Saul musters Israel to rescue Jabesh-gilead from the Ammonite king Nahash.
• Saul's Unlawful Sacrifice · about 1048 BC
  Saul offers the sacrifice himself rather than wait for Samuel, who tells him his kingdom will not last.
• Jonathan Attacks the Philistines · about 1048 BC
  Jonathan and his armor-bearer climb a cliff and strike a Philistine outpost, throwing the army into panic.
• Jonathan's Honey · about 1048 BC
  Jonathan eats honey in ignorance of Saul's rash oath, and the troops rescue him from execution.
• Saul Spares Agag · about 1040 BC
  Saul spares King Agag and the best livestock of Amalek, and God rejects him as king.
• David Anointed · about 1025 BC
  Samuel anoints the youngest son of Jesse as the next king in Bethlehem.
• David Defeats Goliath · about 1025 BC
  David kills the Philistine champion Goliath with a sling and a stone.
• David and Jonathan's Covenant · about 1024 BC
  Jonathan makes a covenant of friendship with David and gives him his robe and weapons.
• Saul Hurls a Spear · about 1024 BC
  Jealous of David's popularity, Saul throws a spear at him.
• Michal Helps David Escape · about 1023 BC
  Michal lowers David through a window and puts an idol in his bed to fool Saul's men.
• Jonathan Warns David · about 1023 BC
  Jonathan shoots arrows as a signal to warn David that Saul wants him dead.
• David Eats the Holy Bread · about 1022 BC
  David and his men eat the consecrated bread from the priest Ahimelech at Nob.
• David Feigns Madness · about 1022 BC
  David pretends to be insane before King Achish of Gath to escape.
• Doeg Massacres the Priests · about 1022 BC
  On Saul's order Doeg the Edomite kills eighty-five priests at Nob.
• David Spares Saul in the Cave · about 1015 BC
  David cuts off a corner of Saul's robe in a cave but refuses to kill him.
• Abigail Intercedes · about 1013 BC
  Abigail brings food to David and stops him from killing her foolish husband Nabal.
• David Takes Saul's Spear · about 1012 BC
  David sneaks into Saul's camp and takes his spear and water jug but spares his life.
• Saul and Jonathan Die · about 1010 BC
  Saul and his sons die at Mount Gilboa fighting the Philistines.

Put the story in order yourself

Today's puzzle gives you seven events to place on the timeline.

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