Samuel

A prophet, priest, and the last judge of Israel. He was born in answer to the prayers of his mother, Hannah. Later, as a prophet, priest, and judge, Samuel told the Israelites they must stop worshipping false gods. He called all the people to a meeting at the city of Mizpah, where he offered a sacrifice to God and asked Him to forgive the people.

For most of his life, Samuel acted as a judge of the Israelites. When he was an old man, the Israelites told Samuel they wanted a king to rule them. Like Eli, Samuel had sons who did wrong things. God told Samuel they could have a king, but they should know that a king would cause them a lot of trouble. Samuel anointed Saul as the first king of Israel.

When King Saul did not follow God’s commands, Samuel warned him that God would make someone else king. God told Samuel to anoint David as the new king. Later, when Saul tried to kill David, David stayed at Samuel’s home. All of Israel was sad when Samuel died.