What can we learn from Samuel?

Listening to God starts with simple availability: “Speak; for thy servant heareth” (1 Sam 3:10). True revival comes through repentance and putting away idols, not through rituals alone (1 Sam 7:3-6). A servant of God must be able to give an account of his integrity before everyone (1 Sam 12:3-5). To stop praying for those in our care is a sin; intercession is a ministry (1 Sam 12:23).

End of the judges · around 1050 BC

Samuel in the Bible

Prophet, last judge and kingmaker. Name meaning: A name his mother ties to “I have asked him of the LORD” (1 Sam 1:20); often understood as “God has heard”

Samuel, the child of Hannah’s prayer, grows up at the sanctuary of Shiloh and becomes a prophet and Israel’s last judge; he also offers the sacrifices for the people. He leads the nation to repentance and then, reluctantly, establishes the monarchy: he anoints Saul, then David. A man of listening, integrity and intercession, he bridges the era of the judges and the era of the kings.

Main books: 1 Samuel

Key moments

“Speak; for thy servant heareth” 1 Samuel 3:10
Recognized as a prophet from Dan to Beersheba 1 Samuel 3:20
Ebenezer: “Hitherto hath the LORD helped us” 1 Samuel 7:12
The people demand a king 1 Samuel 8:5
He anoints Saul 1 Samuel 10:1
“To obey is better than sacrifice” 1 Samuel 15:22
He anoints David at Bethlehem 1 Samuel 16:13
His death and the mourning of all Israel 1 Samuel 25:1

Strengths

Listening to God
Integrity
Intercession
Prophetic courage
Faithfulness

Weaknesses

Samuel failed to pass on his uprightness to his sons Joel and Abijah, greedy judges whose conduct served as a pretext for the demand for a king (1 Sam 8:1-5). He was also at first taken in by Eliab’s appearance (1 Sam 16:6-7).

Lessons for today

Listening to God starts with simple availability: “Speak; for thy servant heareth” (1 Sam 3:10).
True revival comes through repentance and putting away idols, not through rituals alone (1 Sam 7:3-6).
A servant of God must be able to give an account of his integrity before everyone (1 Sam 12:3-5).
To stop praying for those in our care is a sin; intercession is a ministry (1 Sam 12:23).

And the Lord came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel answered, Speak; for thy servant heareth.

1 Samuel 3:10

Then Samuel took a stone, and set it between Mizpeh and Shen, and called the name of it Eben–ezer, saying, Hitherto hath the Lord helped us.

1 Samuel 7:12

Moreover as for me, God forbid that I should sin against the Lord in ceasing to pray for you: but I will teach you the good and the right way:

1 Samuel 12:23

People around Samuel

Hannah — His mother, who obtained him through prayer
Elkanah — His father
Eli — The priest who raised him at Shiloh
Saul — The first king, whom he anoints and then rejects
David — The king he anoints at Bethlehem
Joel and Abijah — His sons, greedy judges

Stories with Samuel

Quiz: how well do you know Samuel?

What did Samuel answer at God’s last call in the night?

Under which priest did Samuel grow up?

Which of Jesse’s sons did Samuel anoint at Bethlehem?

There are many more questions like these in Bible Academy, each with its explanation and verse. Start your free trial.