The Birth and Dedication of Samuel

Samuel was the 15^th and last of the Judges of Israel living more than 1146 years before the birth of Christ. Born to Elkanah and besought of the Lord through the prayers of his mother Hannah, Samuel was a descendant of the tribe of Levi.

Even before the birth of her son, Hannah was deeply devoted to God and vowed she would dedicate him to the Lord forever.

As Samuel grew, he found favor with both God and man. At the age of 3, Hannah took Samuel to the tabernacle and gave him over to the care of Eli the priest, who was a judge over the Israelite nation.

Eli was growing old and his vision was becoming dim. One night as Samuel slept, a voice called out to him and he answered, "Here I am." Each time Samuel heard the voice, he went in to Eli and inquired of him. Each time Eli would tell the child to return to bed. After three times, Eli perceived that the voice calling Samuel was the voice of the Lord. Therefore, he told the child if the voice called him again he should say, " Speak Lord; for thy servant heareth."

After hearkening to the voice of the Lord Samuel received revelations concerning the iniquity of Eli’s house. Following a vision, Samuel lay down fearing to tell Eli of the impending doom that was to befall his sons because of their iniquity.

Samuel’s vision and prophecy was fulfilled when the Philistines killed 30,000 Israelites including the wicked sons of Eli (Hophni, and Phinehas). They also captured the Ark of the Covenant.

Upon hearing the news of his sons’ death and the capture of the Ark, Eli fell from off the seat backward by the side of the gate, broke his neck, and died as a result for he was an old, overweight individual.

Joining Eli in death was the wife of one of his sons (Phinehas) who died while declaring, "The glory is gone from Israel for the Ark of God is taken away." (I Samuel 4:22)

Upon the death of Eli: Samuel became the judge of Israel, the Ark of the Covenant was returned by the Philistines on their own initiative, the Israelites returned to God and to all the cities that the Philistines took.

Samuel ruled over Israel for many years and subsequently made his sons Joel and Abiah, rulers over Israel.

Samuel’s sons were not upright before God and did not walk in the ways of the Lord as did their father. Instead, they were motivated by greed.

Seeing that his sons did not follow in the ways of God prompted the elders of Israel to go to Samuel and demand a king like the other nations. Their reply, "give us a king" displeased Samuel causing him to seek God in prayer.

The Lord replied to Samuel and told him to do as the people requested for they had not rejected him.

In keeping with the people’s request, Samuel anointed Saul to be the first king of Israel.

After Saul proved not to be a godly king, Samuel anointed young David to be the king of Israel.

Being old and smitten in years, Samuel died and was buried in his house at Ramah.

Thus was the life of Samuel, a life that illustrates the value of fervent prayer.

Like Hannah, we should continue to seek God even when things seem hopeless. In doing so, we, too, will receive all that God has to offer.

By Naomi J. Brown