Samuel’s story is told in 1 Samuel 1-28
Samuel: The Boy Who Listened to God
In the Old Testament, one of the most faithful and respected leaders in Israel’s history was a man named Samuel. From the time he was a child, Samuel had a heart that was ready to listen to God. He grew up to become a prophet, a priest, and a judge—and played an important role during a time when Israel needed strong leadership.
A Special Birth
Samuel’s story begins with his mother, Hannah. She deeply wanted a child, so she prayed to God with all her heart. She made a promise that if God gave her a son, she would give him back to serve the Lord.
God heard Hannah’s prayer, and Samuel was born. When he was still very young, Hannah took him to the temple at Shiloh and left him there to grow up and serve God under the care of Eli, the high priest.
The Night God Called
One night, while Samuel was still a boy, he heard someone calling his name. He thought it was Eli, so he ran to him. But Eli hadn’t called him. This happened three times until Eli realized that God was the one calling Samuel.
Eli told him to say, “Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.” When Samuel responded that way, God spoke to him and gave him an important message. This was the beginning of Samuel’s life as a prophet—someone who hears from God and shares His messages with others.
Leading Israel with Wisdom
As Samuel grew up, everyone in Israel came to respect him as a trustworthy leader who spoke for God. He helped guide the people back to God after they had been following their own ways. He led them in prayer, helped settle problems, and reminded them to stay faithful.
Samuel also served as a judge, which meant he helped lead the people and make important decisions. He was a strong leader who relied on God for wisdom.
The People Ask for a King
As Samuel grew older, the people of Israel asked for a king. They wanted to be like other nations. Samuel was disappointed because he felt they were rejecting his leadership. But God told him that they were really rejecting God as their King.
Even though Samuel didn’t like the idea, he listened to God and anointed Saul as Israel’s first king. Later, when Saul disobeyed God, Samuel was told to anoint a new king—David, a young shepherd boy who would become one of Israel’s greatest kings.
Samuel Stayed Faithful
Even when people made wrong choices or turned away from God, Samuel stayed true. He continued to pray for them and gave honest messages from God, even when the truth was hard to hear.
He never stopped putting God first. He didn’t serve for fame or power—he served because he loved God and cared about the people.
What We Can Learn from Samuel
Samuel’s life teaches us some important lessons:
- God hears our prayers – Just like He heard Hannah’s.
- God can speak to anyone – Even a child like Samuel.
- Faithfulness matters – Samuel was faithful to God from beginning to end.
- Listening to God leads to a strong life – Samuel’s life was built on listening and obeying.
Final Thoughts
Samuel’s story is full of courage, faith, and obedience. He was a man who followed God from his earliest days to the end of his life. Whether we’re young or old, Samuel shows us what it means to have a heart that listens to God.
Reflection: Is your heart open like Samuel’s? Are you ready to say, “Speak, Lord, I’m listening”?