Who was Samuel?

1 Samuel 3:19-21

¹⁹ The LORD was with Samuel as he grew up, and he let none of Samuel’s words fall to the ground.

²⁰ And all Israel from Dan to Beersheba recognized that Samuel was attested as a prophet of the LORD.

²¹ The LORDcontinued to appear at Shiloh, and there he revealed himself to Samuel through his word.

New International Version (NIV)

The answer

Samuel was a prophet and judge of Israel, the son of Elkanah and Hannah, whom God used to call His people back to Himself and to anoint Israel’s first two kings, Saul and David. His life marks Israel’s transition from the period of the judges to the monarchy.

A child given to God

Hannah, who had been childless, prayed earnestly for a son and promised to give him to Yahweh’s service. When Samuel was born, she named him “Because I have asked him of Yahweh” (1 Samuel 1:20). After he was weaned, she brought him to God’s house at Shiloh, where he served under Eli the priest (1 Samuel 1:24-28).

A prophet who heard God’s word

While Samuel was still a child, God called him at night. Following Eli’s instruction, Samuel answered, “Speak; for your servant hears” (1 Samuel 3:10). His first message concerned God’s judgment on Eli’s house, and Samuel faithfully told Eli everything, hiding nothing (1 Samuel 3:11-18).

As Samuel grew, God confirmed his prophetic ministry: “Yahweh was with him and let none of his words fall to the ground”—that is, God brought Samuel’s words to pass rather than allowing them to prove empty. Consequently, all Israel recognized him as a prophet of Yahweh (1 Samuel 3:19-21; 1 Samuel 9:6).

A judge and intercessor

Samuel called Israel to put away foreign gods, direct their hearts to Yahweh, and serve Him alone. He prayed and offered sacrifice for the people, and God delivered them from the Philistines (1 Samuel 7:3-13). Samuel then raised a stone called Ebenezer, declaring, “Yahweh helped us until now” (1 Samuel 7:12). He judged Israel throughout his life, travelling between Bethel, Gilgal, Mizpah, and his home at Ramah (1 Samuel 7:15-17).

The prophet who anointed kings

God directed Samuel to anoint Saul as Israel’s first king, pouring oil on his head (1 Samuel 10:1). Later, after Saul’s disobedience, God sent Samuel to Bethlehem, where he anointed David, Jesse’s youngest son; Yahweh’s Spirit then came mightily upon David (1 Samuel 16:11-13).

Samuel’s defining qualities were listening to God, speaking His word faithfully, praying for God’s people, and leading them toward wholehearted obedience.

Answered from Scripture · reviewed November 12, 2026

Scripture cited

• 1 Samuel 3:19-21
• 1 Samuel 9:6
• 1 Samuel 1
• 1 Samuel 3
• 1 Samuel 7:3-17
• 1 Samuel 10:1
• 1 Samuel 16:11-13