Samuel
The boy who heard God call his name in the night.
Old Testament · c. 1100–1000 BC · 1 Samuel · Also known as Son of Hannah, The prophet, Last of the judges
About Samuel
Samuel was born after his mother Hannah prayed desperately for a child. Raised at the tabernacle under the priest Eli, he heard God call him by name as a boy. He became Israel’s last judge and a prophet, and anointed both Saul and David as king.
Samuel stands at a turning point: the end of the era of the judges and the start of Israel’s kings. He served as prophet, priest-like leader and judge, travelling a circuit between towns to settle disputes.
The story
For this child I prayed
Hannah had no children, and she prayed at the tabernacle so intensely that Eli thought she was drunk. God answered. When Samuel was weaned, she brought him back to serve the LORD: "For this child I prayed."
1 Samuel 1:9-28
Samuel, Samuel
One night, before the lamp of God went out, the boy heard his name. He ran to Eli three times. Eli realised: it was the LORD. The fourth time, Samuel answered, "Speak; for thy servant heareth."
1 Samuel 3:1-10
None of his words fell
"Samuel grew, and the LORD was with him, and did let none of his words fall to the ground." All Israel came to know that he was a prophet of the LORD.
1 Samuel 3:19-21
The kingmaker
When Israel demanded a king, Samuel warned them — then anointed Saul. Later, sent to Bethlehem, he anointed a shepherd boy instead of his tall brothers: "the LORD looketh on the heart."
1 Samuel 16:1-13
Key moments
- Born to Hannah: An answered prayer. (1 Samuel 1:27)
- Hears God’s call: "Speak; for thy servant heareth." (1 Samuel 3:10)
- Israel asks for a king: "Make us a king… like all the nations." (1 Samuel 8:5-7)
- Anoints Saul: Israel’s first king. (1 Samuel 10:1)
- Anoints David: God looks on the heart. (1 Samuel 16:7-13)
Questions about Samuel
In meetBible these answers are given in Samuel’s voice. They are written by hand and checked against Scripture.
What did God’s voice sound like?
Scripture doesn’t describe the sound. It tells you what I did: I thought it was Eli calling, and ran to him three times. That suggests it sounded like someone speaking my name — but that is an inference, not something the text states. When I finally answered, I said, "Speak; for thy servant heareth."
Why did Israel want a king?
The elders said my sons did not walk in my ways, and asked, "Make us a king to judge us like all the nations." It displeased me. But the LORD said, "They have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them." I warned them what a king would take from them. They still asked.
How did you know David was the one?
I didn’t, at first. I looked at Eliab and thought, "Surely the LORD’s anointed is before him." God corrected me: "The LORD seeth not as man seeth." Seven sons passed by. When David came in from the sheep, the LORD said, "Arise, anoint him: for this is he."
Connected people
Read it yourself
Start with 1 Samuel 1–3.