1 Samuel maps & timelines

Geographic Context

First Samuel moves across the heartland of Israel and the Philistine frontier. Its early chapters center on the sanctuary at Shiloh in the hill country of Ephraim, and on Samuel’s circuit among Ramah, Bethel, Gilgal, and Mizpah. The Philistines press from the southwestern coastal plain — their five cities of Ashdod, Gath, Ekron, Ashkelon, and Gaza — up into the Shephelah, where David meets Goliath in the Valley of Elah.

The second half is dominated by David’s flight through the rugged wilderness of Judah — Adullam, Keilah, the wildernesses of Ziph and Maon, and the crags of En-gedi by the Dead Sea — and by his exile among the Philistines at Ziklag in the Negeb. The book closes far to the north, at Mount Gilboa on the edge of the Jezreel Valley, where Saul falls and his body is hung on the wall of nearby Beth-shan.

Timeline of Major Events

• c. 1105 BC - The birth of Samuel to Hannah and his dedication at Shiloh.
• c. 1080 BC - The ark is captured by the Philistines and returned; Eli’s house falls.
• c. 1063 BC - Israel’s repentance and victory at Mizpah under Samuel (Ebenezer).
• c. 1050 BC - Israel demands a king; Saul is anointed and confirmed.
• c. 1030 BC - Saul is rejected for disobedience after the Amalekite campaign.
• c. 1025 BC - David is anointed and defeats Goliath.
• c. 1020-1011 BC - David’s years as a fugitive from Saul in the wilderness and among the Philistines.
• c. 1010 BC - Saul and his sons fall at Mount Gilboa.