Quotes from Samuel

17 notable lines from Samuel · c. 550 BCE

How are the mighty fallen!

David's lament for Saul and Jonathan, 2 Samuel 1:19 (KJV)

Quotations follow the King James Version translation (Oxford University Press, 1611) — our recommended edition.

  1. And Nathan said to David, Thou art the man.

    The prophet Nathan to David, 2 Samuel 12:7 (KJV)

  2. 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 God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied.

    David to Goliath, 1 Samuel 17:45 (KJV)

  3. For the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.

    The LORD to Samuel before anointing David, 1 Samuel 16:7 (KJV)

  4. O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! would God I had died for thee, O Absalom, my son, my son!

    David mourning Absalom, 2 Samuel 18:33 (KJV)

  5. Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.

    Samuel rebuking Saul, 1 Samuel 15:22 (KJV)

  6. Speak, LORD; for thy servant heareth.

    Eli instructing the boy Samuel, 1 Samuel 3:9 (KJV)

  7. The LORD hath sought him a man after his own heart.

    Samuel foretelling David's kingship, 1 Samuel 13:14 (KJV)

  8. I am distressed for thee, my brother Jonathan: very pleasant hast thou been unto me: thy love to me was wonderful, passing the love of women.

    David's lament for Jonathan, 2 Samuel 1:26 (KJV)

  9. Is Saul also among the prophets?

    The people on seeing Saul prophesy, 1 Samuel 10:11 (KJV)

  10. Then Samuel took a stone, and set it between Mizpeh and Shen, and called the name of it Eben-ezer, saying, Hitherto hath the LORD helped us.

    Samuel raising the Ebenezer stone, 1 Samuel 7:12 (KJV)

  11. Tell it not in Gath, publish it not in the streets of Askelon; lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice, lest the daughters of the uncircumcised triumph.

    Opening of David's lament, 2 Samuel 1:20 (KJV)

  12. Saul and Jonathan were lovely and pleasant in their lives, and in their death they were not divided: they were swifter than eagles, they were stronger than lions.

    David's lament over Saul and Jonathan, 2 Samuel 1:23 (KJV)

  13. And David danced before the LORD with all his might.

    David bringing the ark to Jerusalem, 2 Samuel 6:14 (KJV)

  14. 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.

    Opening of Hannah's prayer, 1 Samuel 2:1 (KJV)

  15. I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me.

    David on his dead child, 2 Samuel 12:23 (KJV)

  16. I have sinned against the LORD.

    David confessing to Nathan, 2 Samuel 12:13 (KJV)