Samuel — the last judge
The last of the judges and the prophet who bridged the age of the judges and the age of kings. Born to Hannah after years of childlessness and given to the sanctuary at Shiloh, he was called by God as a boy while sleeping near the ark. He judged Israel from Ramah, led the nation to victory at Mizpah, and warned them plainly what a king would cost them when they demanded one anyway. He anointed Saul, and when Saul was rejected he anointed the shepherd boy David in his place — telling him that obedience is better than sacrifice.
What we know — and how we know it
Deg777 — CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)
ArchaeologyShiloh, where the boy Samuel served, shows a destruction layer around the mid-11th century BC — consistent with the loss of the Ark in 1 Samuel 4.
Where in scripture
1 Samuel1 Chronicles2 ChroniclesPsalmsJeremiahActsHebrewsWhen the time had come, Hannah conceived, and bore a son; and she named him Samuel, saying, “Because I have asked him of Yahweh.”
1 Samuel 1:20
But Samuel ministered before Yahweh, being a child, clothed with a linen ephod.
1 Samuel 2:18
Yahweh came, and stood, and called as at other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” Then Samuel said, “Speak; for your servant hears.”
1 Samuel 3:10 — 'Speak, for your servant hears'
The word of Samuel came to all Israel. Now Israel went out against the Philistines to battle, and encamped beside Ebenezer; and the Philistines encamped in Aphek.
1 Samuel 4:1
Then Samuel took the vial of oil, and poured it on his head, and kissed him, and said, “Hasn’t Yahweh anointed you to be prince over his inheritance?
1 Samuel 10:1 — Anoints Saul
He took a yoke of oxen, and cut them in pieces, and sent them throughout all the borders of Israel by the hand of messengers, saying, “Whoever doesn’t come out after Saul and after Samuel, so shall it be done to his oxen.” The dread of Yahweh fell on the people, and they came out as one man.
1 Samuel 11:7
Samuel said to all Israel, “Behold, I have listened to your voice in all that you said to me, and have made a king over you.
1 Samuel 12:1
He stayed seven days, according to the time set by Samuel; but Samuel didn’t come to Gilgal, and the people were scattering from him.
1 Samuel 13:8
Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible, a public-domain translation.
Family
In their own words — 34 recorded sayings
“The voice of the Lord said Samuel's name; and he said, Here am I.” — 1 Samuel 3:4
“And running to Eli he said, Here am I, for you said my name. And Eli said, I did not say your name; go to your rest again. So he went back to his bed.” — 1 Samuel 3:5
“And for the third time the Lord said Samuel's name. And he got up and went to Eli and said, Here am I; for you certainly said my name. Then it was clear to Eli that the voice which had said the child's name was the Lord's.” — 1 Samuel 3:8
“Then the Lord came and said as before, Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel made answer, Say on, Lord; for the ears of your servant are open.” — 1 Samuel 3:10
“Then Eli said, Samuel, my son. And Samuel answering said, Here am I.” — 1 Samuel 3:16
“Then Samuel said to all Israel, If with all your hearts you would come back to the Lord, then put away all the strange gods and the Astartes from among you, and let your hearts be turned to the Lord, and be servants to him only: and he will make you safe from the hands of the Philistines.” — 1 Samuel 7:3
“Then Samuel said, Let all Israel come to Mizpah and I will make prayer to the Lord for you.” — 1 Samuel 7:5
“Then Samuel took a stone and put it up between Mizpah and Jeshanah, naming it Eben-ezer, and saying, Up to now the Lord has been our help.” — 1 Samuel 7:12
…and 26 more recorded sayings.
Speaker attribution: Clear Bible MACULA (CC BY 4.0). Wording: Bible in Basic English (public domain).
Events
Places in their life
Photo: Aaadir — CC0 (via Wikimedia Commons)
In art
