Characters

Samuel

Known As

The King Maker

Where in the Bible?

The Books of Samuel and Psalms

Did You Know

Samuel lived his life obedient to God and was a great man of prayer. As the last judge of Israel, he led his people with integrity and wisdom.

Bio – Samuel

c. 11^th–10^th century BC

Samuel was the last of the judges and the first true prophet of Israel. His childless mother, Hannah, prayed to God for a child, and he answered her prayers, for she became pregnant. She named the boy Samuel, which means “God has heard” or “name of God”, and she promised to dedicate him to God. When Samuel was still very young, she presented him in the temple, where the high priest Eli took care of him.

Samuel was called by God when he was just a child. As the years passed, he grew in wisdom and became a great prophet. He always obeyed God without question and regardless of what anyone else thought of him.

Samuel was the man who, in spite of his personal misgivings, helped establish the monarchy in Israel. Heeding the people’s calls, and with God’s guidance, he anointed Saul, the first King of Israel. When Saul grew in arrogance and wilfulness and proved an unworthy and disobedient ruler, Samuel then anointed David, although it would be many years before he took the throne.

When Samuel died—before David was made king—we are told that all of Israel gathered together and lamented for him, for he was greatly respected. In later years, in the time of Jeremiah, when the Israelites had fallen into sin and disobedience, Jeremiah tells the people that God declared that even if Moses and Samuel interceded for them, he would not have looked favourably upon them—an indication both of the depth of their sin, and of the power of the prayers of Samuel and Moses.

Samuel lived his life obedient to God and was a great man of prayer. As the last judge of Israel, he led his people with integrity and wisdom. Unfortunately, he was unable to bring up his sons with the same faith and integrity as himself, and they turned out to be dishonest rulers, which was part of the reason why the people called for a king and for an end to the time of judges. Nevertheless, Samuel is still venerated as a prophet, for his honour, and for his faith.

Bible Verses About Samuel

1 Samuel 1:27

“For this child I prayed, and the Lord has granted me my petition which I asked of Him. Therefore I also have lent him to the Lord; as long as he lives he shall be lent to the Lord.”

1 Samuel 1:26

And the child Samuel grew in stature, and in favor both with the Lord and men.

1 Samuel 3:9-10

So Samuel went and lay down in his place.
Now the Lord came and stood and called as at other times, “Samuel! Samuel!”
And Samuel answered, “Speak, for Your servant hears.”

1 Samuel 3:19-20

So Samuel grew, and the Lord was with him and let none of his words fall to the ground. And all Israel from Dan to Beersheba knew that Samuel had been established as a prophet of the Lord.

1 Samuel 12:22-24

“For the Lord will not forsake His people, for His great name’s sake, because it has pleased the Lord to make you His people. Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord in ceasing to pray for you; but I will teach you the good and the right way. Only fear the Lord, and serve Him in truth with all your heart; for consider what great things He has done for you.”

1 Samuel 15:22

“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.”

Psalm 99:6-7

Moses and Aaron were among His priests,
And Samuel was among those who called upon His name;
They called upon the Lord, and He answered them.
He spoke to them in the cloudy pillar;
They kept His testimonies and the ordinance He gave them.