When Samuel wasn’t born yet, his mother kept praying for a baby in the temple. She also said to God, “I will dedicate him to you if you give me a son.” She probably kept doing this for months. Then one day, she had a son and named him Samuel. His mother took him to the temple when he was weaned to dedicate him to the Lord. She also gave him to Eli, the temple’s priest to take care of him. He served in the temple for years. Then, one night, God called to him. Samuel thought it was Eli and goes to his room and says, “You called me so here I am!” Then Eli says, “I didn’t call you. Go back to sleep.” This happened three times, then Eli knew God was calling him. So he said to Eli, “When you hear someone call you, say, ‘Speak Lord, for your servant hears.'” So Samuel goes to bed and God calls him again. Then Samuel said, “Speak Lord, for your servant hears.” Then God told Samuel, “I am going to do something the land of Israel has never seen before.”

God does fulfill this prophecy and makes Israel lose a battle. Ark of the Covenant also has been stolen. After this, Eli died. The Ark was bringing diseases among the people who stole it, so they gave it back to the Israelites. By this time, Samuel was now a judge.

The Israelites wanted a king, so God told Samuel to anoint a man named Saul. Saul does three sins which made him not a king anymore. These sins were offering a burnt sacrifice even though he wasn’t a priest, made a foolish oath, and not destroying all the Amorites as he was commanded. Samuel found out that Saul had spared the Amorite king and the best of the animals. After Samuel got to Saul, Saul said, “The best animals I spared are to be used for burnt sacrifices.” Then Samuel said, “To obey is better than sacrifice.” You will not be king anymore and your son will not take your place as king.”

After Samuel anoints someone else (who is David) to be king, but Saul is still king so after that he died. Isn’t that sad?