The Story of the Prophet Samuel

Bibliaon Team

Created and reviewed by our editors

The prophet Samuel was the last leader of Israel before the people had a king. He is known as the last of the judges and the first of the prophets. Samuel's life teaches us important lessons about faith, obedience, and loyalty to God.

Samuel was a prophet with a life full of significance and memorable moments. He was born at a time when Israel lacked strong leadership and was experiencing spiritual crises. His mother, Hannah, was barren, but she prayed intensely asking God for a son, promising to dedicate him to the Lord. God granted her request, and Hannah gave birth to Samuel. When Samuel was still a child, he was taken to the temple to live and grow alongside the priest Eli, something his mother had promised to do.

Samuel began to hear God's voice at an early age. On one of these occasions, God showed Samuel that Eli's family would be punished for the wicked behavior of his sons. Over time, Samuel grew to become a prophet and judge of Israel, being one of the last judges before the establishment of the monarchy.

A representation of Samuel

Throughout his life, Samuel spoke to the people about the importance of repentance and obedience to God. He called the people of Israel to return to true worship, turning away from the idolatry that had spread.

At the request of the people, who wanted a king like the other nations, he chose Saul as the first king of Israel, though reluctantly, as he believed the people should trust only in God. Later, when Saul disobeyed God's commandments, Samuel was tasked with anointing David as the new king of Israel. Even in his old age, Samuel remained faithful to his mission.

His story is narrated in the books of 1 and 2 Samuel in the Bible. Samuel died during a time of great turmoil in the kingdom of Israel. He was buried in his home in Ramah, and he was widely mourned by all the people of Israel.

Key Events in the Life of Samuel

Below are the main events in the life and ministry of the prophet Samuel:

Miraculous Birth: His mother, Hannah, was barren and prayed to God for a son, promising to dedicate him to divine service. Dedicated to the Temple: As a child, Hannah took Samuel to the temple in Shiloh to serve under the supervision of the priest Eli.
God Calls Samuel: God called Samuel from a young age, revealing to him the punishment that the house of Eli would receive in the future.
Prophet and Judge of Israel: Samuel became the spiritual and political leader of Israel, guiding the people through times of crisis. Call to Repentance: Samuel urged the Israelites to turn away from idolatry and return to worshiping God alone.
Anointing of Saul as the First King: At the people's request and after receiving direction from God, Samuel chose Saul and anointed him as the first king of Israel, marking the beginning of the monarchy.
Rejection of Saul: After Saul disobeyed God, Samuel rebuked him and informed him that his reign would be taken away.
Anointing of David: God sent Samuel to anoint David as the new king of Israel, in place of Saul.
Counselor and Intercessor: Even after David's anointing, Samuel continued advising the people and interceding on behalf of Israel.
His Death and Burial: Samuel died in Ramah, and all the people of Israel greatly mourned his passing.

These events deeply marked the history of Israel, especially the transition from a theocracy to a monarchy.

What We Can Learn from the Story of the Prophet Samuel

The life of Samuel and the book that bears his name in the Bible offer valuable lessons for our walk of faith. Samuel was a prophet, judge, and spiritual leader in Israel, living during a time of transition when the people began to be governed by kings.

From his miraculous birth, we see the importance of prayer and complete dedication to God. His mother, Hannah, prayed fervently for a child, and when God granted her request for Samuel, she fulfilled her promise by dedicating him to the Lord, showing the importance of honoring our commitments to God.

One of the most important teachings from Samuel is obedience. He listened to and obeyed God's voice from a very young age. His example reminds us that, regardless of our age or position, we must be willing to listen to God's call and act according to His will. Samuel's life also teaches us the importance of being faithful in our responsibilities, even in difficult times. Samuel faced kings, like Saul, with courage and truth, showing that obedience to God is more important than human approval.

Additionally, the book of 1 Samuel shows us the danger of disobedience, a central theme in the life of Saul. When Saul disobeyed God's instructions, he was rejected as king. This reinforces the idea that God values obedience more than sacrifices or external rituals.

On the other hand, the anointing of David teaches us that God does not look at what man looks at: God looks at the heart. David, a young shepherd, was chosen by God for his faithful heart. This shows us that, to God, character and devotion are more important than appearance.

Bible Study on the Prophet Samuel

The Birth of Samuel and His Dedication to God

Samuel's birth was the result of a miracle from God in response to the prayers of his mother, Hannah. She was barren and suffered for many years because she could not have children, especially as her rival, Peninnah, mocked and provoked her incessantly (1 Samuel 1:6).

In an act of deep faith and desperation, Hannah went to the temple in Shiloh and prayed to the Lord, pouring out her soul before God. In her prayer, she made a vow, saying, "O Lord of hosts, if You will indeed look on the affliction of Your maidservant, and remember me, and not forget Your maidservant, but will give Your maidservant a male child, then I will give him to the Lord all the days of his life, and no razor shall come upon his head" (1 Samuel 1:11).

God heard Hannah's prayer and granted her a son, whom she named Samuel, meaning "asked of the Lord" (1 Samuel 1:20). After Samuel was weaned, Hannah fulfilled her vow and took him to the temple to dedicate him to the service of God, handing him over to the priest Eli.

This event demonstrates God's faithfulness in hearing sincere prayers and the importance of fulfilling vows made to the Lord. Hannah showed obedience and trust, placing Samuel in God's hands from the beginning of his life.

God Calls Samuel

Samuel's prophetic calling came in a special way when he was still a child. Serving alongside the priest Eli at the temple in Shiloh, Samuel did not yet fully recognize the voice of God, but he was in an environment of service and dedication (1 Samuel 3:1).

One night, while Samuel was sleeping, the Lord called Samuel by name. Thinking it was Eli who was calling him, Samuel went to the priest three times, but Eli told him it was not he who called. Finally, on the third occasion, Eli realized that it was the Lord calling the child and instructed Samuel to respond: "Speak, Lord, for Your servant hears" (1 Samuel 3:9).

When God called again, Samuel followed Eli's instructions and responded to the Lord. On that occasion, God revealed to Samuel the judgment that would come upon Eli's household due to the disobedience of his sons and the priest's failure to act.

This event marked the beginning of Samuel's prophetic ministry. The Bible highlights that "the Lord was with Samuel, and let none of his words fall to the ground" (1 Samuel 3:19). Samuel's calling teaches us the importance of being prepared to hear the voice of God and respond with obedience and humility, even from a young age.

The Anointing of Saul as the First King

The anointing of Saul as the first king of Israel was a historic moment in the history of God's people. Until then, Israel had been governed by judges, and God Himself was considered the supreme king. However, the people asked Samuel to give them a king, wanting to be like the other nations. Although Samuel was displeased with the request, God commanded the prophet to fulfill the demand, making it clear that the people were rejecting the Lord, not Samuel (1 Samuel 8:7).

Saul, from the tribe of Benjamin, was chosen by God to be the first king. He was a man of impressive stature and good appearance, who was pleasing to the eyes of the people. Samuel anointed Saul in secret, pouring oil on his head and declaring him king (1 Samuel 10:1).

Later, Saul was publicly confirmed as king before all the people at Mizpah. This event marked the beginning of the monarchy in Israel, but with the warning that both the new king and the people must always obey the Lord in order to prosper.

Saul's Rejection

Saul's rejection as king was a moment of great impact for both Saul and the prophet Samuel. Saul had been anointed as the first king of Israel by Samuel, at the request of the people, but with the condition that he must strictly obey God's commands. However, Saul made two serious mistakes that led to his rejection.

First, he offered sacrifices that only the priest could perform, disobeying God by giving in to impatience (1 Samuel 13:8-14). The second, and more serious, mistake was his explicit disobedience to God's command to completely destroy the Amalekites and all that belonged to them (1 Samuel 15:3). Instead, Saul spared King Agag and the best of the spoils, justifying his disobedience by claiming he intended to offer sacrifices to the Lord.

When confronted by Samuel, Saul tried to justify his actions, but Samuel responded with one of the most well-known phrases in Scripture: "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, and to heed than the fat of rams" (1 Samuel 15:22).

Because of this disobedience, Samuel announced that God had rejected Saul as king, transferring the kingdom to someone better than him: David. This episode highlights the importance of complete obedience to God and the severe consequences of disobedience, even for a king.

The Anointing of David

The anointing of David as king of Israel was a decisive moment in Samuel's ministry and in the history of God's people. After Saul's rejection as king, the Lord instructed Samuel to go to the house of Jesse in Bethlehem to anoint one of his sons as the new king chosen by God. Samuel, fearing Saul's wrath, obeyed God and went to Jesse with a sacrifice, disguising his true mission.

When he arrived, Samuel saw Jesse's older sons and thought that the firstborn, Eliab, would be the chosen one due to his imposing appearance. However, God corrected Samuel, saying, "Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart" (1 Samuel 16:7).

Finally, they called for David, the youngest son, who was tending the sheep. Though he was young and did not appear to be a warrior, God chose him because of his heart. Samuel anointed David with oil, and from that day "the Spirit of the Lord came upon David" (1 Samuel 16:13).

This anointing symbolizes that God chooses and strengthens those who are faithful, regardless of their position or outward appearance.

The Death of the Prophet Samuel

Samuel died during a time of transition and great turmoil in the kingdom of Israel (1 Samuel 25:1). He was buried in his hometown of Ramah, and the entire nation mourned his loss deeply. His death marked the end of an era, as he was the last judge of Israel and one of its most influential prophets.

The sorrow of Israel over Samuel's death shows the profound impact he had on the people as a leader. His life teaches us the importance of remaining faithful until the end, fulfilling God's call with integrity, no matter the circumstances.

Samuel: Prophet and Judge of Israel

Samuel became a spiritual and political leader, serving as the last judge of Israel before the monarchy (1 Samuel 7:15-17). He led the people during a time of moral and spiritual decline, guiding Israel toward spiritual renewal. As both a prophet and a judge, Samuel represented the voice of God to the people, calling them to repentance and to live a life of faithfulness to God.

This point teaches us that spiritual leaders must be firm in pointing the way back to God, even in times of crisis. Samuel also exemplifies the importance of combining spiritual leadership with wisdom and integrity.

Samuel calls the people to repentance

Samuel called the people of Israel to abandon idolatry and return to God with all their hearts (1 Samuel 7:3-6). He led the people in a spiritual renewal that culminated in a great victory over the Philistines. This passage reminds us that true victory and security come when God's people repent and fully place their trust in the Lord.

Samuel demonstrated that genuine repentance requires concrete actions, such as abandoning idols and restoring true worship. Repentance is the first step toward restoring communion with God.

Samuel: Counselor and Intercessor

Even after David’s anointing, Samuel continued to be a faithful counselor and intercessor for Israel (1 Samuel 12:23). He taught the people the importance of fearing God and serving Him faithfully, ensuring they followed the right path.

Samuel never wavered in his duty, showing that the role of a spiritual leader goes beyond grand events and includes constant prayer and teaching. His life of intercession reminds us of the importance of praying for God's people and continually seeking the Lord’s guidance for those under our leadership.

Learn more about other Bible characters and prophets: