Samuel was the last of the judges and the first great prophet after Moses. He was dedicated to the Lord from birth by his mother Hannah, grew up in the temple under Eli, and anointed both Saul and David as kings over Israel.
11And she made a vow: "LORD of hosts, if you will only look on the misery of your servant and remember me, if you will not forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the LORD for all the days of his life, and no razor shall ever touch his head."
6Again the LORD called, "Samuel!" Samuel got up, went to Eli, and said, "Here I am; you called me." "I did not call, my son," he said. "Go back and lie down."
8A third time the LORD called Samuel. He got up, went to Eli, and said, "Here I am; you called me." Then Eli understood that it was the LORD who was calling the boy.
9So Eli said to Samuel, "Go and lie down, and if he calls you, say, 'Speak, LORD, for your servant is listening.'" So Samuel went and lay down in his place.
24Samuel said to all the people, "Do you see the man the LORD has chosen? There is no one like him among all the people." And all the people shouted, "Long live the king!"
22But Samuel said: "Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the LORD? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams.
23For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and defiance like the evil of idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, he has rejected you as king."
12So he sent for him and brought him in. He had a ruddy complexion, fine eyes, and a handsome face. And the LORD said, "Rise and anoint him; this is the one."
13So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the LORD came powerfully upon David. Then Samuel set out and returned to Ramah.