Samuel, known as the last judge of ancient Israel and a prophet ordained by the Lord, lived during a pivotal period in Israelite history approximately from 1125 BC. He played an instrumental role in the transition from the period of the judges to the establishment of the monarchy—a significant shift in the governance of Israel. Samuel’s life and service began under extraordinary circumstances, as he was dedicated to the Lord even before his birth by his mother, Hannah, due to her vow made in prayer for a son (1 Samuel 1). Once weaned, Samuel was presented to Eli, the priest, marking the beginning of his lifelong service to God.
Samuel’s prophetic call was unique, as the Lord’s voice beckoned him as a child while he was under Eli’s tutelage. Initially mistaking the divine voice for Eli’s, Samuel eventually responded, “Speak, for thy servant heareth,” thus embarking on his prophetic ministry (1 Samuel 3:10). His reputation for obedience and prophetic authority grew, and he became recognized throughout Israel, from Dan to Beersheba, as a legitimate servant of the Lord (1 Samuel 3:20).
In his capacity as a prophet, Samuel anointed Saul as the first king of Israel and later David, who would establish a dynasty (1 Samuel 9-16). His leadership and guidance were pivotal during this transformative era in biblical history. Millennia later, Samuel would be remembered by none other than Jesus Christ during His ministry in the Promised Land. As recorded in 3 Nephi 20:24, the risen Lord recounted that “all the prophets from Samuel and those that follow after, as many as have spoken, have testified of me.” This affirmation underscores Samuel’s enduring legacy as a prophet who foretold and testified of the coming of the Messiah, as further emphasized by the Apostle Peter in Acts 3:24. Samuel’s prophetic witness, service, and role in shaping Israel’s destiny are thus perpetuated in scriptural remembrance, honoring him as a venerable figure in the panorama of biblical prophecy.