In a time when the God’s word was scarce, a man became a prophet and Israeli judge and helped bring the presence of God back. In the Old Testament, we discover the story of Samuel, who was consecrated to the service of God even before his birth. His life had a strong impact on the history of the Jews, for during his time the first two kings of Israel were established: the king saul and King David. We invite you to discover the history of this great prophet of god narrated in the book of 1 Samuel.
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Who is the prophet Samuel?
Son of Ana and Elkaná
Samuel’s birth was a miracle: his mother Ana was barren, and although her husband Elcaná loved her, he carried great suffering with him because he could not give her children. Therefore, one day she fervently prayed saying: “(…) «Lord of armies, if you look at the misery of your servant and remember me, if you do not forget your servant and give her a male child, I will give him to the Lord for all his life, and the razor will not go through his head” (1 Samuel 1:11). Immediately, the Lord answered him and he had a son named Samuel, which means “God listens.”
The prophet Samuel and King Saul
The prophet Samuel was judge of Israel (1 Samuel 7:15) until the Jewish people asked for a monarch, so they chose Saul as their King. Then, “Samuel took the bottle of oil and poured it on Saul’s head: Then he kissed it and said: “The Lord has anointed you as head of his inheritance!”. (1 Samuel 10:1). On the other hand, the Bible shows us that this king was not walking in the perfect will of God, thus provoking his wrath on multiple occasions, which led him to lose his place as king and be replaced by David, the shepherd of sheep.
The prophet Samuel and David
When the time came to name Israel’s new king, Samuel went into God’s presence for counsel. Then, the Lord sent him to the family of Jesse, and showed him that little David was going to be the future king of Israel, and not his brothers: “Jesé made him come: he was fair-skinned, with beautiful eyes and a good presence. Then the Lord said to Samuel, “Get up and anoint him, because this is him.” Samuel took the jar of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers. And from that day on, the spirit of the Lord descended on David. Samuel, for his part, departed and went to Ramah” (1 Samuel 16:12-13).
Main episodes in the life of the prophet Samuel
Samuel was attentive to the voice of God
“The Lord called Samuel a third time. He got up, went to Eli and said, “Here I am, because you called me.” Then Eli understood that it was the Lord who was calling the young man, and he said to Samuel: «Go to bed, and if someone calls you, you will say: Speak, Lord, because your servant listens». And Samuel went to lie down in his place. Then the Lord came, stopped, and called like the other times: «Samuel, Samuel!». He answered: “Speak, because your servant listens”” (1 Samuel 3:8-10).
Samuel did not forget any of his words
“Samuel grew up; the Lord was with him, and did not let any of his words fall to the ground. All Israel, from Dan to Beersheba, knew that Samuel was accredited as a prophet of the Lord. (1 Samuel 3:19-20).
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Saul became king
“All the people went to Gilgal, and they proclaimed Saul king before the Lord. There they offered communion sacrifices, and Saul and all the men of Israel rejoiced exceedingly.” (1 Samuel 11:15).
Saul was succeeded to the throne
“Samuel turned to go, but Saul took hold of the hem of his cloak, and it tore. Then Samuel said to him, “Today the Lord has taken the kingly power over Israel from you, and he has given it to someone better than you.” (1 Samuel 15:27-28).
Samuel was obedient
“Samuel answered: “Does the Lord want burnt offerings and sacrifices or does he want his voice to be obeyed? Obedience is worth more than sacrifice; meekness, more than the fat of rams”. (1 Samuel 15:22)
Samuel learned to see as God sees
“But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or how tall he is, because I have rejected him. God does not look as man looks; because man sees appearances, but God sees the heart»”. (1 Samuel 16:7)
“Jesé made him come: he was fair-skinned, with beautiful eyes and a good presence. Then the Lord said to Samuel, “Get up and anoint him, because this is him.” Samuel took the jar of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers. And from that day on, the spirit of the Lord descended on David. Samuel, for his part, departed and went to Ramah”. (1 Samuel 16:12-13)
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