Samuel
Israelite / Jew Hebrew, of mount Ephraim (Levite line) · Conquest & Judges · Old Testament
- Name means
- Heard of God; name of God
- Role
- Prophet, priest and last judge of Israel
- When
- c. 1100-1000 BC (traditional)
What they did
Called by God as a child at Shiloh, he became a prophet to all Israel. He led Israel back to the LORD, raised the stone Ebenezer, and anointed Saul and then David as king.
Why it matters: the purpose of their role
Samuel bridged the time of the judges and the kingdom, and anointed David, from whose line Christ came. He taught that 'to obey is better than sacrifice'.
And the LORD came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel answered, Speak; for thy servant heareth. 1 Samuel 3:10 (KJV)
Bible references
And the LORD came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel answered, Speak; for thy servant heareth. 1 Samuel 3:10 (KJV)
And Samuel grew, and the LORD was with him, and did let none of his words fall to the ground. And all Israel from Dan even to Beer-sheba knew that Samuel was established to be a prophet of the LORD. 1 Samuel 3:19-20 (KJV)
Then Samuel took a stone, and set it between Mizpeh and Shen, and called the name of it Eben-ezer, saying, Hitherto hath the LORD helped us. 1 Samuel 7:12 (KJV)
Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the Spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel rose up, and went to Ramah. 1 Samuel 16:13 (KJV)
And after that he gave unto them judges about the space of four hundred and fifty years, until Samuel the prophet. Acts 13:20 (KJV)
Family
- Father
- Elkanah
- Mother
- Hannah
- Children
- Joel, Abiah
- Brothers / sisters
- Three brothers and two sisters (unnamed)
Listed among the Levites in 1 Chronicles 6:27-28.