Samuel was the last of the judges
and the first of the major prophets after Moses.
His name means “heard of God” or “asked of God.”
Dedicated to the Lord
by his mother Hannah before his birth,
he served as priest, prophet, and judge in Israel.
Samuel is remembered for his faithful leadership,
his role in anointing the first two kings of Israel,
and for a life of integrity from childhood to old age.
Samuel stands as a pivotal figure who bridges the period of the judges and the beginning of the monarchy. Born in answer to prayer and raised in the tabernacle at Shiloh, he grew up in the presence of the Lord while the priesthood around him was corrupt. God raised him up as a reliable prophet whose words did not fall to the ground. He led Israel in repentance and victory over the Philistines, and later, at the people’s demand, anointed Saul as the first king. When Saul failed, Samuel anointed David. His life models listening to God’s voice, speaking truth without compromise, and finishing well.
- Samuel’s birth was the result of Hannah’s desperate prayer and vow; she dedicated him to lifelong service to the Lord.
- As a boy he heard the Lord’s voice in the night and learned to say, “Speak, for your servant hears.”
- He grew in favor with the Lord and with people, and the Lord was with him so that none of his words failed.
- He called Israel to put away foreign gods and serve the Lord only, then led them to victory at Mizpah.
- Though he was displeased when the people asked for a king, he faithfully obeyed God’s instruction to grant their request.
- He confronted Saul’s disobedience with clear prophetic rebuke and later anointed David in Saul’s place.
- Even after his death, his life of integrity was remembered; he is listed among the heroes of faith who “through faith conquered kingdoms” and “enforced justice.”
- Birth & Dedication (1 Samuel 1) – Born to Hannah and Elkanah in answer to prayer; brought to the tabernacle at Shiloh and dedicated to the Lord.
- Call as a Boy (1 Samuel 3) – Hears the Lord’s voice in the night; receives a message of judgment against Eli’s house; begins his prophetic ministry.
- Judgeship & Victory (1 Samuel 7) – Calls Israel to repentance at Mizpah; the Lord thunders against the Philistines; Samuel raises the stone Ebenezer.
- Anointing of Saul (1 Samuel 9–10) – At God’s direction, privately anoints Saul as the first king of Israel and later presents him to the people.
- Confrontation with Saul (1 Samuel 13, 15) – Rebukes Saul for offering the burnt offering and later for incomplete obedience regarding Amalek; declares that the Lord has rejected Saul as king.
- Anointing of David (1 Samuel 16) – Sent by God to Bethlehem to anoint Jesse’s youngest son, David, as the next king.
- Death (1 Samuel 25) – Dies and is buried in Ramah; all Israel gathers to mourn him.
- 1 Samuel 1:20, 27-28 – Hannah names him Samuel, saying, “I have asked for him from the Lord… Therefore I have lent him to the Lord. As long as he lives, he is lent to the Lord.”
- 1 Samuel 3:10 – “And the Lord came and stood, calling as at other times, ‘Samuel! Samuel!’ And Samuel said, ‘Speak, for your servant hears.’”
- 1 Samuel 3:19 – “And Samuel grew, and the Lord was with him and let none of his words fall to the ground.”
- 1 Samuel 7:12 – “Then Samuel took a stone and set it up… and called its name Ebenezer, saying, ‘Till now the Lord has helped us.’”
- 1 Samuel 12:3-5 – Samuel’s farewell challenge concerning his integrity as leader.
- 1 Samuel 15:22-23 – “Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice… Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, he has also rejected you from being king.”
- 1 Samuel 16:13 – Samuel anoints David in the midst of his brothers, and the Spirit of the Lord rushes upon David.
- Psalm 99:6 – “Moses and Aaron were among his priests, Samuel also was among those who called upon his name.”
- Hebrews 11:32 – Samuel is named among those who through faith enforced justice and obtained promises.
- Acts 3:24 – Peter refers to “all the prophets who have spoken, from Samuel and those who came after him.”
Samuel’s life is a rare picture of lifelong faithfulness. From childhood to old age he listened to God’s voice, spoke God’s word without compromise, and led God’s people with integrity. He stood at a turning point in Israel’s history, guiding the nation from the chaos of the judges into the era of the kings, while never surrendering the authority of the Lord’s word. In Samuel we see the power of a life fully given to God — a life that hears, obeys, and finishes well. His ministry ultimately points beyond himself to Jesus, the perfect Prophet who speaks the final Word of God.
Entry compiled for the JESUSaves.com Bible Glossary. Optimized for wiki.js Visual Editor.