Samuel

Samuel (Heb. Shemu’el, “heard of God” or “asked of God”) is the pivotal figure who closes the period of the judges and opens the era of the monarchy. He is born at Ramah to Hannah after long barrenness and dedicated to the LORD as a Nazirite from infancy (1Sa.1.11). Brought to the sanctuary at Shiloh, he is raised by Eli the priest. While still a boy he hears the voice of the LORD by night and receives the first of many prophetic words (1Sa.3). After the disastrous battle of Aphek, in which the ark is captured and Eli’s sons are killed, Samuel emerges as the spiritual leader of the nation; he convenes a covenant gathering at Mizpah, leads Israel to victory over the Philistines, and judges from a circuit of Bethel, Gilgal, and Mizpah (1Sa.7). When the elders demand a king, Samuel warns them of the cost but, at the LORD’s command, anoints Saul of Benjamin at Ramah (1Sa.10.1) and later, after Saul’s rejection, the boy David at Bethlehem (1Sa.16.13). He establishes prophetic schools at Ramah and Naioth and dies an old man, mourned by all Israel (1Sa.25.1). Samuel is named alongside Moses as one of the great intercessors (Jer.15.1; Psa.99.6) and in the New Testament roll of faith (Heb.11.32; Act.13.20).