The boy Samuel

In the biblical account, Samuel is a central figure in Israel’s transition from a confederation of tribes to a unified monarchy under the kings Saul and David. His story is found primarily in the books of 1 Samuel and 2 Samuel, and it begins with his miraculous birth and his mother Hannah’s response to the blessing of having a child.

Hannah had been barren and prayed fervently to the Lord at the temple in Shiloh for a son. In response to her faith and devotion, God granted her a child, whom she named Samuel, meaning “asked of God.” Hannah fulfilled her vow and, after weaning him, brought him to the temple at Shiloh to serve the Lord under the guidance of the priest Eli.

From a young age, Samuel proved to be a devout child, sensitive to the voice of God. In a time when “the word of the Lord was rare and there were not many visions” (1 Samuel 3:1), Samuel was destined to play a crucial role as a prophet and spiritual leader of Israel.

One night, while Samuel was sleeping in the temple, the Lord called him by name. Samuel responded, thinking it was Eli who had called him. After this happened three times, Eli realized it was the Lord speaking to Samuel and instructed him on how to answer. When the Lord called again, Samuel replied: “Speak, for your servant is listening” (1 Samuel 3:10).

Then the Lord spoke to Samuel and revealed that He would judge Eli’s house because of the sins of his sons, and that Eli’s days as priest were numbered.

From that moment, Samuel became recognized as a prophet, and his words came true throughout Israel. God revealed His judgment against Eli’s household because of their wickedness. Over time, Samuel rose as a prominent figure in Israel, and all the words he spoke carried great weight and had a profound impact on the nation.

Under Samuel’s leadership, Israel experienced a time of spiritual renewal and growth. Samuel judged Israel for many years, guiding them in the worship of God and in obedience to His commandments. Yet the people of Israel began to desire a human king to rule over them, rather than continuing under the direct leadership of God and His judges.

Although Samuel warned the people of the dangers of having a human king, the Lord instructed him to listen to their demands. Samuel anointed Saul as Israel’s first king, despite his reservations, and later anointed David as his successor while David was still a young shepherd.

Throughout his life, Samuel remained a spiritual leader and mediator between God and His people. His actions and words set a precedent for future prophets and judges of Israel, and his influence endured long after his death.

In summary, the story of the boy Samuel is a powerful narrative of faith, obedience, and the direct interaction between God and His people. His life marked a turning point in Israel’s history, from the time of the judges to the monarchy, and his legacy as a prophet and spiritual leader continues to inspire and teach believers today.

This story emphasizes the importance of listening to God’s voice and Samuel’s willingness to obey, even from a young age. His life marked the beginning of an era of prophecy and leadership in Israel, preparing the way for significant future events in the history of God’s people.

Was it merely a dream that Samuel experienced, or did it truly happen just as the Bible describes?

Either way, the illustrated Bible recounts this story for readers of all ages.