The Prophet Samuel

In the Old Testament, the Lord was instructing the children of Israel in dreams and visions to His prophets and priests. There were several periods during which the children of Israel did evil in the eyes of the Lord by worshipping idols. During those periods the word of the Lord became rare and there were not many visions. The Lord also delivered them to the hands of their enemies until they repented and returned to Him. He then gave them prophets and judges to lead them to His way and to rescue them from their oppressors.
Samuel, who was dedicated to the service of the Lord before his birth, became a prophet. He anointed the first two kings of Israel, Saul and David. During his lifetime, the hand of the Lord was against the Philistines.

The birth of Samuel
During the time of Eli the priest and his two sons Hophni and Phinehas were priests of the Lord in Shiloh, a man called Elkanah from Ramathaim had two wives Hannah and Peninnah. Peninnah who had children used to provoke Hannah who was barren, and this went on year after year.
Every year, Elkanah used to go to Shiloh and offer his sacrifices to the Lord in the Tabernacle. There Hannah wept to the Lord in the Tabernacle with bitter soul and prayed that He would remove her shame and give her a child. She vowed saying "O Lord of hosts, if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thine handmaid, and remember me and not forget thine handmaid, but wilt give unto thine handmaid a man child, then I will give him unto the Lord all the days of his life, and there shall no razor come upon his head." (I Samuel 1:11)
Eli the priest saw Hannah mumble, for she was praying silently, and rebuked her thinking she was drunk. When he realized she was praying out of anguish and grief he blessed her saying "Go in peace: and the God of Israel grant thy petition that thou hast asked of him." (I Samuel 1:17)
A year later, Hannah gave birth to a son and called him "Samuel" (which means "heard of God") for she has asked him of the Lord. When Samuel was two years old, she presented him in the Tabernacle in Shiloh to serve the Lord all his life.
Meanwhile Eli's two sons who were priests were wicked, and the Lord rejected them because they did not listen to their father's rebuke. A man of God came and told Eli the priest, their father that He will bring their wickedness on all his house and that they will all die in the prime of life. God also told him that his two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, will be killed together in the same day as a sign for the Lord's anger against them.

The Lord calls Samuel
Samuel was ministering to the Lord under Eli the priest as a child girded with a linen ephod. His mother Hannah made him a little coat and brought it to him along with their yearly sacrifices. Now Eli the priest blessed Elkanah and his wife to have more children. Hannah later on had three more sons and two daughters, while Samuel grew before the Lord.
One night when Eli the priest grew old and his sight became weak, Samuel was sleeping in the Tabernacle, where the ark of God was, God called Samuel, so he ran to Eli the priest and answered "Here am I; for thou calledst me". Eli then denied and asked him to go back to sleep. But then again the sound came calling Samuel, and he did the same, and Eli sent him back again. The third time, Eli understood that it was the Lord calling Samuel and sent him saying: "Go, lie down: and it shall be, if he calls thee, that thou shalt say, Speak, Lord, for thy servant heareth." (I Samuel 3:9)
Then the Lord came again and called Samuel. When Samuel did as Eli instructed him, the Lord told Samuel about the things He will do to Eli's house for the evil doings of his sons and for he has failed to restrain them.
Samuel then grew and the Lord was with him and all of Israel knew that Samuel was established to be a prophet of the Lord. The Lord appeared again in Shiloh and revealed Himself to Samuel.

Israel asks for a king
Samuel judged for Israel all his life in Ramah where he also built an altar. He also went on a circuit every year to judge for all Israel, but he always went back to his house in Ramah. When he grew old he made his sons judges over Israel, but they did not walk in his way but perverted judgement. Then, all the elders of Israel gathered to Samuel at Ramah asking him to appoint a king to rule over them as all the other nations had. This displeased Samuel for they have rejected God as their king, but the Lord allowed it asking Samuel to warn them about how the king will rule over them, how they will suffer form him and the Lord would not answer them. The Israelites insisted on having a king and refused to listen to Samuel.
Some time later, the Lord revealed to Samuel that a Benjamite man would come to him, and that to anoint king over Israel. The following day, Saul son of Kish lost his way while looking for his father's donkeys, and he went to ask guidance from Samuel. The Lord pointed him to Samuel who praised him and invited him to dine with him. Before Saul left, Samuel took a flask of oil and poured it on Saul's head and kissed him and told him that the Lord has chosen him as king. As Saul left Samuel, God changed his heart, and he prophesied. Later that day, Samuel called the Israelites to Mizpeh to choose a king and the Lord chose Saul and he was made king.

Samuel's farewell speech
The Ammonites then besieged the city of Jabesh and were going to gouge out the right eye of every one of the Israelites. Saul then, moved by the Spirit of God and His power, and lead the people of Israel to slaughtered the Ammonites. He was confirmed king over Israel at Gilgal. That same day, Samuel addressed the Israelites and told them again how evil was it from them to ask for a king instead of God. He asked for a sign from God for them to believe; he called upon the Lord and asked Him to send thunder and rain during that wheat harvest season. The Israelites stood in awe of the Lord and Samuel, and wept and asked for God's forgiveness. Samuel assured them that as long as they feared the Lord and followed His commandments He will save them.


Samuel anoints David
The Philistines rose again to fight the Israelites and scared them. Saul was waiting for Samuel to come to the camp but when he tarried, Saul offered the burnt offering. Soon after, Samuel came and rebuked Saul for his foolish act. God spoke on Samuel's tongue that Saul's kingdom would not endure and that God has chosen a man after God's own heart to be a king.
Later on, the Lord sent Samuel to ask Saul to go and punish the Amalekites and not to spare any of them or their animals. Saul fought them all the way to the east of Egypt and captured Agag their king and their best cattle but destroyed all the rest. Again God sent Samuel to rebuke Saul, who wanted to offer these animals to God. But God was not pleased by these offerings more than by obeying His words; and since God rejected Saul. Samuel killed Agag and went back to Ramah and grieved for Saul. The Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul and an evil spirit tormented him.
The Lord then said to Samuel: "How long wilt thou mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel? fill thine horn with oil, and go, I will send thee to Jesse the Bethlehemite: for I have provided me a king among his sons." (I Samuel 16:1) When Samuel did not choose any of Jesse's seven sons who were presented, they sent for the youngest, David, who was tending his father's sheep. He was the one with whom God was pleased and Samuel anointed him, and the Spirit of the Lord came on David in power.
When Saul heard of David, he brought him to play the harp when the evil spirit from God comes upon him. But when David killed Goliath by the name of the Lord Almighty, Saul kept a jealous eye on David for his success and because the Lord was with David. He also tried to kill him twice while playing the harp for him. David fled, he went to Samuel at Ramah and told him all that Saul had done to him. Then he and Samuel went to Naioth and stayed there. Sometime later, David sought refuge in the land of the Philistines.

Saul and the witch of Endor
When Samuel died, all Israel mourned for him and buried him in Ramah. Then the Philistines gathered to fight against Israel and scared Saul and terror filled his heart. He sought help from the Lord but God did not answer him. He sought a woman spiritist (because he had expelled them from the land). He found one in Endor, disguised himself and asked her to bring up Samuel.
When the woman saw Samuel, she screamed out of fear; she also realized that the man who sought her was Saul himself. When Saul asked Samuel for help and guidance, Samuel answered: "Why have you disturbed me by bringing me up? ... Why do you consult me, now that the LORD has turned away from you and become your enemy? The LORD has done what he predicted through me. The LORD has torn the kingdom out of your hands and given it to one of your neighbors--to David. Because you did not obey the LORD or carry out his fierce wrath against the Amalekites, the LORD has done this to you today. The LORD will hand over both Israel and you to the Philistines, and tomorrow you and your sons will be with me. The LORD will also hand over the army of Israel to the Philistines." (I Samuel 28:15-19)


Samuel is also mentioned in the Qur’an
Samuel is also a revered prophet and seer in the Islamic faith. Although he is mentioned in the Qur'an, his name is not given but he is instead referred to as "a Prophet". According to Islamic history, the Israelites, after the time of the prophet Moses, wanted a king to rule over their country. Thus, God sent the prophet Samuel to anoint Saul as the first king for the Israelites. The Qur'an states:
Bethink thee of the leaders of the Children of Israel after Moses, how they said unto a prophet whom they had: Set up for us a king and we will fight in God's way. He said: Would ye then refrain from fighting if fighting were prescribed for you? They said: Why should we not fight in God's way when we have been driven from our dwellings with our children? Yet, when fighting was prescribed for them, they turned away, all save a few of them. God is aware of evil-doers.
—Qur'an, sura 2 (Al-Baqara), ayah 246

The Qur'an goes onto state that a king was anointed by the prophet, whose name was Talut (Saul in the Hebrew Bible). However, it states that the Israelites mocked and reviled the newly appointed king, as he was not wealthy from birth. But, in sharp contrast to the Hebrew Bible, the Qur'an praises Saul greatly, and mentions that he was gifted with great spiritual and physical strength. In the Qur'anic account, Samuel prophesies to the children of Israel, telling them that the sign of Saul's kingship will be that the Ark of the Covenant will come back to the Israelites:
Their Prophet said unto them: Lo! God hath raised up Saul to be a king for you. They said: How can he have kingdom over us when we are more deserving of the kingdom than he is, since he hath not been given wealth enough? He said: Lo! God hath chosen him above you, and hath increased him abundantly in wisdom and stature. God bestoweth His Sovereignty on whom He will. God is All-Embracing, All-Knowing.
—Qur'an, sura 2 (Al-Baqara), ayah 247

Conclusion
God knows the hearts and his promises never fail. God puts down the mighty ones from their seats and exalt the humble. God talks to His loved ones and reveals His acts to them. God's Spirit helps His servants and supports them. God is pleased by obeying His commandments more than by oblations and sacrifices.

Peace

Lev 26:6 And I will give peace in the land, and ye shall lie down, and none shall make you afraid: and I will rid evil beasts out of the land, neither shall the sword go through your land.

Num 6:26 The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.

Num 25:12 Wherefore say, Behold, I give unto him my covenant of peace:

Jdg 6:23 And the LORD said unto him, Peace be unto thee; fear not: thou shalt not die.

2Ch 18:16 Then he said, I did see all Israel scattered upon the mountains, as sheep that have no shepherd: and the LORD said, These have no master; let them return therefore every man to his house in peace.

Job 22:21 Acquaint now thyself with him, and be at peace: thereby good shall come unto thee.

Job 33:33 If not, hearken unto me: hold thy peace, and I shall teach thee wisdom.

Psa 4:8 I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety.

Psa 7:4 If I have rewarded evil unto him that was at peace with me; (yea, I have delivered him that without cause is mine enemy:)

Psa 28:3 Draw me not away with the wicked, and with the workers of iniquity, which speak peace to their neighbours, but mischief is in their hearts.

Psa 29:11 The LORD will give strength unto his people; the LORD will bless his people with peace.

Psa 34:14 Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.

Psa 37:11 But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.

Psa 39:12 Hear my prayer, O LORD, and give ear unto my cry; hold not thy peace at my tears: for I am a stranger with thee, and a sojourner, as all my fathers were.

Psa 55:20 He hath put forth his hands against such as be at peace with him: he hath broken his covenant.

Psa 85:8 I will hear what God the LORD will speak: for he will speak peace unto his people and to his saints: but let them not turn again to folly.



Psa 122:7 Peace be within thy walls, and prosperity within thy palaces

Pro 3:2 For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee.

Pro 3:17 Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace

Pro 11:12 He that is void of wisdom despiseth his neighbour: but a man of understanding holdeth his peace.

Pro 12:20 Deceit is in the heart of them that imagine evil: but to the counsellors of peace is joy.

Pro 16:7 When a man's ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.

Pro 17:28 Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.

Isa 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

Isa 26:3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.

Isa 26:12 LORD, thou wilt ordain peace for us: for thou also hast wrought all our works in us.

Isa 32:17 And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever.

Isa 38:17 Behold, for peace I had great bitterness: but thou hast in love to my soul delivered it from the pit of corruption: for thou hast cast all my sins behind thy back.

Isa 48:18 O that thou hadst hearkened to my commandments! then had thy peace been as a river, and thy righteousness as the waves of the sea:

Isa 52:7 How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!

Isa 53:5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

Isa 57:2 He shall enter into peace: they shall rest in their beds, each one walking in his uprightness.

Isa 57:21 There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked.



Isa 66:12 For thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will extend peace to her like a river, and the glory of the Gentiles like a flowing stream: then shall ye suck, ye shall be borne upon her sides, and be dandled upon her knees.

Jer 29:7 And seek the peace of the city whither I have caused you to be carried away captives, and pray unto the LORD for it: for in the peace thereof shall ye have peace.


Jer 29:11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

Jer 30:5 For thus saith the LORD; We have heard a voice of trembling, of fear, and not of peace

Jer 33:6 Behold, I will bring it health and cure, and I will cure them, and will reveal unto them the abundance of peace and truth.

Eze 34:25 And I will make with them a covenant of peace, and will cause the evil beasts to cease out of the land: and they shall dwell safely in the wilderness, and sleep in the woods.

Dan 10:19 And said, O man greatly beloved, fear not: peace be unto thee, be strong, yea, be strong. And when he had spoken unto me, I was strengthened, and said, Let my lord speak; for thou hast strengthened me

Zec 8:16 These are the things that ye shall do; Speak ye every man the truth to his neighbour; execute the judgment of truth and peace in your gates:

Mat 10:13 And if the house be worthy, let your peace come upon it: but if it be not worthy, let your peace return to you.

Mar 4:39 And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.

Mar 9:50 Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his saltness, wherewith will ye season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace one with another.

Luk 2:14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

Luk 8:48 And he said unto her, Daughter, be of good comfort: thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace.

Luk 10:5 And into whatsoever house ye enter, first say, Peace be to this house.

Luk 10:6 And if the son of peace be there, your peace shall rest upon it: if not, it shall turn to you again.

Luk 11:21 When a strong man armed keepeth his palace, his goods are in peace:

Luk 12:51 Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division

Luk 19:38 Saying, Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest.

Luk 19:40 And he answered and said unto them, I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out

Luk 19:42 Saying, If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes.

Joh 14:27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid

Joh 20:19 Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.



Joh 20:21 Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.

Act 10:36 The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:)

Act 18:9 Then spake the Lord to Paul in the night by a vision, Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace:

Rom 3:17 And the way of peace have they not known:

Rom 5:1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:

Rom 8:6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.

Rom 10:15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!

Rom 14:17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.

Rom 14:19 Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.

Rom 15:13 Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.

Rom 15:33 Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen.

Rom 16:20 And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.

1Co 14:30 If any thing be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace.

1Co 14:33 For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.

1Co 16:11 Let no man therefore despise him: but conduct him forth in peace, that he may come unto me: for I look for him with the brethren.

2Co 13:11 Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you

Gal 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith

Gal 6:16 And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.

Eph 2:14 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;

Eph 2:17 And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.

Eph 4:3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace

Eph 6:15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

Php 4:7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Php 4:9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

Col 1:20 And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.



Col 3:15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.

1Th 5:3 For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.

1Th 5:13 And to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. And be at peace among yourselves.

1Th 5:23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

2Th 3:16 Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace always by all means. The Lord be with you all.

2Ti 2:22 Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

Tit 1:4 To Titus, mine own son after the common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour.

Phm 1:3 Grace to you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Heb 7:2 To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace;

Heb 11:31 By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace.

Heb 12:14 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:

Heb 13:20 Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,

Jas 2:16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?

Jas 3:18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.

1Pe 1:2 Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.

1Pe 3:11 Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it

1Pe 5:14 Greet ye one another with a kiss of charity. Peace be with you all that are in Christ Jesus. Amen.



2Pe 1:2 Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord,

2Pe 3:14 Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.

2Jn 1:3 Grace be with you, mercy, and peace, from God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.

Jud 1:2 Mercy unto you, and peace, and love, be multiplied.

Rev 1:4 John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne;

May the peace of the lord Jesus Christ, and the comfort of his word be with you all throughout the Year .