In chapters 21-31 of 1 Samuel, we see how David is protected by God from King Saul, Samuel's death,  and how Saul and Jonathan both died by the hands of the Philistines.

In chapters 16-20 of 1 Samuel, we see the rise of David and the decline of King Saul. We see David as a musician, we see him as a shepherd, we see him has a warrior against Goliath, we see him as a good friend with Jonathan. We also see Saul as he goes into a very dark place.

In 1 Samuel chapters 13-15 we see that Saul's kingdom will be ripped from his hands because of sin, and Samuel mourns for him. We also see the Bible verse, "To obey is better than sacrifice!"

In 1 Samuel chapters 8-12, Saul is raised up as the first King of Israel, and Samuel warns them of the downside to having a king, and that they should stay faithful to the Lord with all their hearts.

In chapters 1-7 of 1 Samuel, God answers Hannah's prayer for a son, Samuel. The Philistines capture the Ark of the Covenant, and Eli the Priest and his two sons die. The Children of Israel return to the Lord with Samuel's leadership, which sets the stage for the first King of Israel, Saul.

In these four chapters of Ruth we see how God is at work even in the midst of hard times. We see the steadfast love of God, Ruth and Boaz.

In Judges 17-21 we see some of the darkest moments in Israel's history because the people "did what was right in their own eyes." We also see the phrase, "In those days, there was no king of Israel." We see that religious decline led to moral decline, which led to social decline and political decline. They think that a king will change all that. A king won't, but The King will.

In Judges chapters 13-16, we look at the birth, life, and death of Samson as he fought the Philistines. 

In Judges chapters 6-12 we see how even the leadership of Israel is declining in holiness during these "dark ages" of Israel, but God is still faithful.

In Judges chapters 1-5 we learn of the cycle of the Judges: Sin, Punishment, Repentance, Deliverance, and Rest, and then it starts all over again. This is considered the Dark Ages of Israel.