In the land of Israel, during a time when judges ruled, there was a woman named Hannah. She longed for a child and prayed earnestly to God, promising that if she had a son, he would be dedicated to the Lord. Her prayers were answered, and she named her son Samuel. When he was old enough, Hannah brought him to the temple at Shiloh to serve the priest Eli.
Samuel grew up in the house of the Lord. One night, as he lay sleeping, he heard a voice calling his name. He thought it was Eli and ran to him, but Eli said he had not called. This happened three times until Eli realized it was God speaking to Samuel. He told Samuel to listen and respond. From that moment, Samuel became a prophet of God, delivering His messages to the people.
As Samuel grew, the people of Israel desired a king like other nations. They came to Samuel, but he warned them of the burdens a king would bring. Yet, they persisted, and Samuel anointed Saul as their first king. Saul started well but eventually disobeyed God, leading to his downfall.
Later, God sent Samuel to anoint David, a young shepherd boy, as the next king. Though David faced many trials, including fleeing from Saul’s wrath, he remained faithful. Samuel’s role as the last judge marked a transition in Israel’s history, from judges to kings, and his life was a testament to serving God faithfully.