Samuel’s Story in a Nutshell

The transitional era
- From the waning days of the judges (Judges 21:25) to the rise of the monarchy (1 Samuel 8:4–7).
- Israel shifting from a tribal confederation to centralized kingship (1 Samuel 9–10).
Birth and dedication
- Hannah’s vow and answered prayer (1 Samuel 1:10–20).
- Samuel dedicated and ministering before the LORD (1 Samuel 1:27–28; 2:11).
- Eli’s failing priesthood and the decline at Shiloh (1 Samuel 2:12–17, 22–25).
The calling (1 Samuel 3)
- The LORD calls Samuel in the night (1 Samuel 3:1–10).
- “From Dan even to Beersheba knew that Samuel was established to be a prophet of the LORD” (1 Samuel 3:20).
- National recognition of prophetic authority (1 Samuel 3:19–21).
Judge, priestly figure, prophet
- Samuel judging Israel (1 Samuel 7:15–17).
- Offering sacrifices and leading intercession (1 Samuel 7:9).
- Serving as God’s prophetic mouthpiece (1 Samuel 3:21; 7:3–4).
Crisis with the Philistines
- The ark taken into battle superstitiously and captured (1 Samuel 4:1–11).
- Later deliverance at Mizpeh through Samuel’s intercession (1 Samuel 7:5–14).
The monarchy controversy
- Israel’s demand for a king (1 Samuel 8:4–5).
- Samuel’s resistance (1 Samuel 8:6).
- God’s concession and warnings delivered through Samuel (1 Samuel 8:7, 10–18).
Anointer of kings (twice)
- Saul anointed at God’s direction in response to the people’s request (1 Samuel 9:15–17; 10:1).
- David anointed by God’s initiative after Saul’s rejection (1 Samuel 16:1–13).
Later years and death
- Samuel withdraws but continues to confront Saul when necessary (1 Samuel 15:10–23).
- Samuel dies and is mourned by all Israel (“all the Israelites were gathered together, and lamented him”) (1 Samuel 25:1).

Samuel’s Prophecies

The word to Eli
- Judgment announced against Eli’s house due to the sins of Hophni and Phinehas (1 Samuel 2:27–36).
- The sentence reaffirmed directly to Samuel in the night vision (1 Samuel 3:11–14).
National prophetic authority
- “The LORD was with him, and did let none of his words fall to the ground” (1 Samuel 3:19).
- “All Israel from Dan even to Beersheba knew that Samuel was established to be a prophet of the LORD” (1 Samuel 3:20).
- Continued revelation at Shiloh (1 Samuel 3:21).
Warnings about the monarchy
- Israel’s demand for a king and Samuel’s displeasure (1 Samuel 8:4–6).
- The detailed warnings about taxation, conscription, and loss of liberties (1 Samuel 8:10–18).
- God’s affirmation that Israel was rejecting Him, not Samuel (1 Samuel 8:7).
Prophecies concerning Saul
- Prediction of Saul’s arrival before his anointing (1 Samuel 9:15–17).
- Detailed prophetic signs given after anointing (1 Samuel 10:1–7).
- Rebuke and prophecy of the kingdom being taken from Saul after the unlawful sacrifice (1 Samuel 13:13–14).
- Judgment after the Amalekite failure—“The LORD hath rent the kingdom of Israel from thee this day” (1 Samuel 15:26–28).
Prophetic role regarding David
- The secret anointing of David in Bethlehem (1 Samuel 16:1–13).
- The theological contrast: “man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7).
- The Spirit departing from Saul and resting upon David (1 Samuel 16:13–14).
Prophetic acts more than words
- Samuel’s leadership at Mizpeh resulting in Philistine defeat (1 Samuel 7:5–14).
- His circuit judging Israel from year to year (1 Samuel 7:15–17).
- His role as “seer,” a title explained in the parenthetical note of 1 Samuel 9:9.
Post-mortem prophecy
- Samuel’s appearance after death when summoned by the woman at Endor (1 Samuel 28:11–19).
- Prophecy of Saul’s defeat and death the next day (1 Samuel 28:19).