Samuel and the Two Kings of Israel

Samuel was the miracle child of Hannah, a woman who prayed to God for a son after many years of being childless. The name Samuel means “God heard” because God answered Hannah’s prayer. When Samuel was of age, Hannah dedicated him to God in order to serve and worship God under Eli. One night, Samuel heard a voice call to him and he went to Eli’s room thrice before Eli told him to answer the strange voice because it was God calling him.

When Samuel was old enough, he led the Israelites until they became unhappy because the sons of Samuel were being judges. During this time, the Israelites begged God for a King who would help them defeat their enemies. Samuel anointed a man named Saul who would be the first king of Israel. However, Saul became a dedicator who oppressed the Israelites until they cried out to God again.

God rejected Saul because he had sinned against Him. So, God sent Samuel to the house of Jesse because one of his sons was going to be the next king of Israel. Samuel filled his horn with oil as per God’s request and arrived at Jesse’s home. Samuel saw that all the sons of Jesse were appealing except for one who was chosen by God. David, he was the youngest son of Jesse, was anointed by Samuel because God had chosen him.