Who was Samuel?
Quick answer
Samuel was the last of Israel’s judges and the first of the great prophets — dedicated to God before birth, raised in the tabernacle, and used by God to anoint Israel’s first two kings, Saul and David.
As a boy he heard God call in the night: "Speak, for your servant hears" (1 Samuel 3). He grew into a prophet whose words never "fell to the ground."
Samuel led Israel in a transition from judges to monarchy, reluctantly anointing Saul and later David at God’s command.
He models faithful leadership — bold to confront kings, quick to obey God, devoted to prayer ("far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD by ceasing to pray for you").
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Original BibleDawn answer · reviewed 2026-06. Drafted with AI assistance and reviewed for accuracy.