Who was Samuel in the Bible?
"The LORD came and stood there. He called out, just as he had done the other times. He said, 'Samuel! Samuel!' Then Samuel replied, 'Speak. I'm listening'" (1 Samuel 3:10).
"Then Samuel got a very young lamb. He sacrificed it as a whole burnt offering to the Lord. He cried out to the Lord to help Israel. And the LORD answered his prayer" (1 Samuel 7:9).
"The LORD said to Samuel, 'How long will you be filled with sorrow because of Saul? I have refused to have him as king over Israel. Fill your animal horn with olive oil and go on your way. I am sending you to Jesse in Bethlehem. I have chosen one of his sons to be king'" (1 Samuel 16:1).
Samuel was the baby Hannah dedicated to the Lord. He grew up to be a prophet and the final Judge of Israel.Hannah was Samuel’s mother. She was sad because she wasn’t able to have children. She prayed for God to bless her with a baby and He answered. She became pregnant with Samuel and dedicated him to the Lord. By dedicating Samuel to the Lord, it meant he would live at the temple and be taught by Eli. During Samuel’s time at the temple, God spoke to him and he learned great things about God.
One night while Samuel was sleeping, God spoke to him. Samuel ran to Eli and he confirmed to Samuel that it was God speaking to him (1 Samuel 3:7-21). This showed not only to Eli, but also to Samuel that Samuel was going to be the prophet of the Lord. Samuel continued to learn more about God during his time in the temple. After the Philistines invaded Israel, Eli's sons died and shortly after, Eli died. Samuel then urged all the people to get rid of their false gods and to turn back to God. For a while there was peace and protection from the Philistines because Israel obeyed God under Samuel’s rule (1 Samuel 7:9-13).
When Israel wanted a king and rejected God as their King, God gave them Saul as their first king and Samuel anointed him. Samuel acts as a guide and instructor to the king, but king Saul didn’t listen to him. Shortly after, the crown was taken from Saul and given to David. Samuel anointed David after God commanded him to do so and David becomes King (1 Samuel 16:1-13). Samuel was faithful to serve God and live in obedience to Him.
