Samuel’s story begins before he ever breathed. His mother, Hannah, barren and heart-broken, vowed a vow before the Lord:
“If You give me a son, I will give him to You all the days of his life.” — 1 Samuel 1:11
God answered. Samuel was born, and when he was weaned, his mother brought him to Shiloh and left him in the house of the Lord.
He did not grow up in comfort, or inheritance, or family estate — but in consecration. His childhood was traded for destiny. His playground was the sanctuary. His nursery was the presence of God.
And this calling was not clean or easy: Samuel was raised under Eli, whose sons corrupted the priesthood. Yet while others decayed, Samuel was being formed by obedience, silence, scripture, and service.
Greatness in God begins not in comfort but in consecration. God-destiny grows in obedience, not indulgence.“As long as he lives he is lent to the Lord.” — 1 Samuel 1:28
Though Samuel served daily in the temple, he did not yet recognize God’s voice. Then one night, while resting near the Ark — the symbol of God’s presence — a voice called:
“Samuel.”
He ran to Eli: “Here I am, you called me.” Eli replied: “I did not call. Lie down again.”
It happened again. And again. Three times he responded with humility and readiness.
Only then did Eli perceive the truth and instruct him:
“When He calls, say,
Speak, Lord, for Your servant hears.” — 1 Samuel 3:9
That night the Lord spoke — and Samuel listened. From then on:
“The Lord was with him and let none of his words fall to the ground.” — 1 Samuel 3:19
Samuel grew up in a temple system that was rotting from within. Eli’s sons, priests by title but not by heart, stole offerings, slept with the women who served at the sanctuary, and treated holy things like personal entitlement.
“Now the sons of Eli were corrupt; they did not know the Lord.” — 1 Samuel 2:12
Samuel lived in the same house — ate the same bread, heard the same conversations, saw compromise at the highest levels — yet did not participate.
He stayed pure not by escaping corruption, but by choosing different rhythms:
Scripture says simply, quietly, powerfully:
“But Samuel ministered before the Lord, even as a child.” — 1 Samuel 2:18Purity is not isolation — it is choosing God in the middle of compromise. Samuel didn’t rise by escaping darkness, but by shining inside it.
“The child Samuel grew on, and was in favor with the Lord and also with men.” — 1 Samuel 2:26
Samuel’s first prophetic assignment was not encouragement — it was judgment. In the night, God revealed that Eli’s priestly line would be removed and both his sons would die on the same day, because they dishonored the priesthood and Eli did not stop them.
“I will perform against Eli all things… because his sons made themselves vile, and he restrained them not.” — 1 Samuel 3:12–13
In the morning, Eli — the man who raised Samuel, who taught him to hear God’s voice, who fed and sheltered him — called for the boy and demanded the message.
Samuel was afraid. This was the man who became like a father to him. To speak this word meant grief, loss, and the end of an era.
But Samuel did not hide the truth.
“And Samuel told him every word, and hid nothing from him.” — 1 Samuel 3:18
It was not Samuel who judged Eli — it was God. Samuel’s test was loyalty to God over comfort, over human bonds, over fear.
Eli, humbled and broken, accepted the verdict:
“It is the Lord; let Him do what seemeth Him good.” — 1 Samuel 3:18Lesson: A true servant of God speaks truth even when it costs relationships. God can trust those who put obedience above sentiment.
From that moment, Israel understood:
“All Israel knew that Samuel was established to be a prophet of the Lord.” — 1 Samuel 3:20
Obedience made Samuel a prophet.
Not visions. Not titles. Obedience.
As Samuel ages and leads Israel faithfully, the nation prospers and is secure. Yet the people look around at other nations and grow dissatisfied with divine rule.
“Make us a king to judge us like all the nations.” — 1 Samuel 8:5
This request wounds Samuel — not because he desired power, but because Israel rejected God as their true King.
“They have not rejected thee, but they have rejected Me.” — 1 Samuel 8:7
Samuel warns them: a human king will take sons for war, daughters for labor, the best fields, tithes, and freedom.
Yet even in heartbreak, Samuel does not rule by ego or emotion. He prays, he listens, and he obeys God's command:
“Hearken unto their voice… howbeit protest solemnly unto them.” — 1 Samuel 8:9
Samuel teaches leadership by surrender:
You do not cling to power.
You deliver truth.
You let God be God in the decisions of men.
God chooses Saul — tall, strong, impressive — the kind of king people admire. Samuel privately anoints him and blesses him, not because he prefers him, but because obedience > opinion.
“Samuel took a vial of oil, and poured it upon his head… and kissed him.” — 1 Samuel 10:1
Samuel instructs Saul in signs, worship, and humility. He equips him fully — no jealousy, no withholding, no bitterness.
At Saul’s public coronation, some mock and despise Saul. Samuel does not mock or gloat. He protects him.
Samuel's strength is this: he can raise and bless a leader who will one day oppose him, and do it without envy, fear, or self-preservation.
“God save the king.” — 1 Samuel 10:24Lesson: Obedience does not require emotional preference. You serve God's plan even when it does not match your own vision.
Samuel’s leadership is not possession; it is faithful stewardship.
Saul began humble. But pressure revealed his heart. When soldiers were slipping away before battle, God had commanded him: “Wait for Samuel. Do not act without God.”
Instead, Saul panicked and performed the priestly sacrifice himself — trying to force blessing instead of obeying God’s timing.
“I forced myself… and offered a burnt offering.” — 1 Samuel 13:12
Samuel arrives at the exact moment the offering ends — as if God timed it to expose Saul’s impatience.
This moment proves to Samuel: Saul will choose control over obedience.
“Thou hast done foolishly… thy kingdom shall not continue.” — 1 Samuel 13:13–14
Later, God commanded Saul to destroy Amalek completely because of their ancient ambush on Israel.
Saul obeyed halfway — spared the king, kept the best animals, and excused it as “worship.”
Samuel sees it clearly: Saul fears reputation more than God.
“I feared the people and obeyed their voice.” — 1 Samuel 15:24
Samuel confronts him publicly, declaring that disobedience wearing religious clothing is still rebellion.
“To obey is better than sacrifice… rebellion is as witchcraft.” — 1 Samuel 15:22–23
Saul grabs Samuel’s robe — trying to pull him back. The robe tears. Samuel says:
“The Lord hath torn the kingdom from thee.” — 1 Samuel 15:28
And here is Samuel’s greatness: He doesn’t argue. He doesn’t cling. He does not “try to fix” a king God rejected.
He turns. He walks. And he never sees Saul again.
“Samuel came no more to see Saul… nevertheless Samuel mourned for Saul.” — 1 Samuel 15:35
He loved Saul — but he loved God more. He grieved — but he obeyed. A prophet’s loyalty is to God’s order, not to man’s emotion.
Lesson: When God moves on, holiness is the courage to move with Him.God sends Samuel to Bethlehem under the cover of sacrifice. Jesse’s sons are summoned — all except David. He is left with the sheep — unseen, unconsidered.
Samuel sees the eldest — strong, impressive — and assumes he is God’s choice. God corrects him immediately:
“Man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.” — 1 Samuel 16:7
One by one, seven sons pass. No divine signal. Samuel asks a critical question of destiny: “Are these all thy children?”
David is called in from the field — smelling like sheep and wilderness, with hands shaped by work and a heart shaped by worship.
“Arise, anoint him: for this is he.” — 1 Samuel 16:12
Samuel pours oil from a ram’s horn — not a flask like Saul’s anointing. A horn signifies heavenly authority & enduring strength. The Spirit of the Lord rushes upon David.
And then — stunning humility: David goes back to the sheep. No throne. No announcement. No rush to power. He returns to obscurity with destiny burning quietly inside him.
Why lions and bears matter: before David fought Goliath publicly, he fought predators privately. No cheers. No audience. No reward. Just devotion, danger, and discipline.
“A lion… a bear… thy servant slew both.” — 1 Samuel 17:36
God trains kings in silence — where only God sees their courage.
Why David?Saul hunts David unjustly — driven by jealousy, not justice. David hides in caves, not because God abandoned him, but because destiny is always tested in delay.
In the cave at En-gedi, Saul enters alone. David’s men whisper destiny:
“Behold the day the Lord said… I will deliver thine enemy into thy hand.” — 1 Samuel 24:4
David approaches — not to kill, but to cut a piece of Saul’s robe and prove innocence. Even that small act troubles him — because true honor recoils from dishonor.
“I will not put forth mine hand against the Lord’s anointed.” — 1 Samuel 24:10
Later, at night in Saul’s camp, David stands over him again. Abishai begs: “Let me strike him.”
David refuses and takes only Saul’s spear and water jug — symbols of authority and life — not his life.
“Who can stretch forth his hand against the Lord’s anointed and be guiltless?” — 1 Samuel 26:9
David shows restraint in power — he proves kingship by refusing to seize it prematurely.
Before stepping off the stage, Samuel conducts a public audit of his life:
“Whose ox have I taken? … Whom have I defrauded?” — 1 Samuel 12:3
Ox = livelihood and wealth. He is asking: “Have I ever abused power? Taken anyone’s inheritance or wealth?” Israel answers: “None.”
Samuel warns the nation:
“If ye will fear the Lord… it shall go well; but if ye rebel… ye shall be consumed.” — 1 Samuel 12:14–15
“Judgment” means covenant consequences — not cruelty, but reality correcting rebellion.
Samuel returns to Ramah — not bitter, not clinging to authority. He steps off stage, but does not abandon the altar.
Then God speaks one last commissioning:
“Fill thy horn with oil, and go.” — 1 Samuel 16:1
God Himself commands Samuel to anoint David. The horn represents divine authority — oil poured only where heaven chooses. Samuel seals the next generation, then withdraws.
1 — Hear before you act.
The voice of God is the first strategy.
“Speak, Lord; for thy servant heareth.” — 1 Samuel 3:10
2 — Purity builds nations.
Reform always precedes victory.
“Samuel cried unto the Lord… and the Lord thundered.” — 1 Samuel 7:9–10
3 — Integrity is wealth.
No bribes. No taking. No abuse of power.
“Whose ox have I taken?” — 1 Samuel 12:3
4 — Obey precisely.
Partial obedience is rebellion.
“To obey is better than sacrifice.” — 1 Samuel 15:22
5 — Leave without stain.
Prepare the next king and walk away clean.
“The Lord hath sought him a man after His own heart.” — 1 Samuel 13:14
Stone of memory:
“Hitherto hath the Lord helped us.” — 1 Samuel 7:12