The prophet Samuel lived about 11 centuries before the birth of the Savior, and at least two centuries after the death of Joshua. Samuel was the son of Elkanah and Hannah. Hannah was childless until she prayed in the temple and promised the Lord that if she had a son, she would give him to the Lord. Samuel was later born and Hannah kept her word. After the child was weaned, she gave him to Eli, a judge who lived in the temple, to rear. (1 Sam. 1.)
While Eli's sons did wickedly, Samuel "grew on, and was in favour both with the Lord, and also with men." (1 Sam. 2:26.) At this time, "there was no open vision" or words from a living prophet. (1 Sam. 3:1.)One night in the temple, the Lord called Samuel and Samuel answered, thinking it was Eli. But Eli had not called him. Twice more the Lord called and Samuel answered to Eli. Then Eli told Samuel it was the Lord calling and to answer: "Speak; for thy servant heareth."
The Lord called Samuel again, and this time told of His displeasure with the wickedness of the sons of Eli, and foretold their demise. Samuel relayed the words to Eli and afterward, "the Lord was with him, and
SamuelT 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 Sam. 3:19-20.)
When Samuel was grown, and Eli had become old and blind, Israel was defeated in battle by the Philistines, who also captured the Ark of the Covenant. In the battle, both of Eli's sons were killed, and Eli fell and died when he heard the news.
Those who had captured the ark were plagued and eventually returned it. During this period Samuel exhorted the people to return to worship the true God. They began to listen as the Philistines approached to attack. They prayed and Samuel offered sacrifice.
"The Lord thundered with a great thunder on that day upon the Philistines, and discomfited them. . . ." (1 Sam. 7:10.) After seeing that display of divine protection, the Philistines did not war against Israel during the days of Samuel. However, Samuel's sons who were judges in Beer-sheba, perverted judgment, so the people asked Samuel to give them a king.
The Lord and Samuel were displeased with this request. The Lord warned the people that a king would oppress them. Still they asked for a king "That we also may be like all the nations." (1 Sam. 8:20.)
Samuel was told by the Lord to anoint a king, and Saul was brought to him. Samuel gave honor to Saul and anointed him to be captain over the Lord's inheritance. Samuel presented Saul to the people, and preached to them and warned them to repent and follow the Lord. As a sign, he called the Lord to send thunder and rain upon the unharvested wheat. "And all the people greatly feared the Lord and Samuel." (1 Sam. 12:18.)
After two years the Philistines gathered to war against Israel. Samuel instructed Saul to wait for him to arrive so he, Samuel, could offer sacrifice. But when Samuel didn't come, Saul became impatient and rashly offered sacrifice himself. This displeased the Lord, and Samuel prophesied that Saul's rule would end. (1 Sam. 13:8-14.)
Saul also displeased the Lord later in a battle with the Amalacites. He saved some captured animals to sacrifice instead of destroying them all as he had been commanded.
Samuel told him: "Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams." (1 Sam. 15:22.) He departed from Saul that day and "mourned for Saul: and the Lord repented that he had made Saul king over Israel." (Sam. 15:35.)
Samuel then anointed David to be the next king of Israel. Toward the end of Saul's reign, Samuel died, and all Israel "lamented him." (1 Sam. 25:1.)
