Life Lessons from Hebrews: The Prophet Samuel
HEBREWS 11:32 – THE PROPHET WHO SHAPED A NATION
The Gallery (Hebrews 11:32)
We begin our journey with Hebrews 11, often called the “Faith Chapter”. This chapter is an inspiring roll of men and women who lived by faith — and Samuel receives an honourable mention.
Hebrews 11:32–34: “And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets: Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions…”
Samuel is mentioned here in the same breath as the greatest heroes of Israel’s history. But why? Let us look at his life to understand what kind of faith made him so remarkable.
Background: In What Time did Samuel Live?
Samuel’s life falls in one of the most troubled periods in Israel’s history — the transition from the period of the Judges to the Monarchy. Understand the context to fully grasp his role.
The Period of the Judges (before Samuel)
Judges 21:25: “In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes.”
- Spiritual decay and idol worship prevailed
- Israel repeatedly turned away from God and suffered
- The priesthood was corrupt — Eli’s sons, Hophni and Phinehas, were a disgrace
- The ark of the covenant was in danger
In this dark time God chose Samuel to bring the light.
Birth: An Answer to Prayer (1 Samuel 1–2)
Hannah’s Prayer — The Beginning of Everything
1 Samuel 1:10–11: “And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed unto the LORD, and wept sore. And she vowed a vow, and said, O LORD of hosts, if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thine handmaid, and remember me, and not forget thine handmaid, but wilt give unto thine handmaid a man child, then I will give him unto the LORD all the days of his life…”
Samuel’s life begins with an unfulfilled longing, an honest prayer, and God’s faithfulness. His very name carries this testimony — “Samuel” means “his name is God” or “asked of God”.
- Hannah was childless — a painful position in ancient culture
- She laid her grief directly before God in the tabernacle at Shiloh (1 Sam 1:9–10)
- Eli first misunderstood her, but then blessed her (1 Sam 1:12–17)
- God answered her prayer — Samuel was born (1 Sam 1:19–20)
- Hannah kept her vow and brought Samuel to the tabernacle (1 Sam 1:24–28)
1 Samuel 2:1–2: “And Hannah prayed, and said, My heart rejoiceth in the LORD, mine horn is exalted in the LORD… There is none holy as the LORD: for there is none beside thee…”
The Calling: “Speak, LORD; for thy servant heareth” (1 Samuel 3)
In this chapter we have one of the most familiar and moving calling scenes in the entire Bible.
1 Samuel 3:1: “And the child Samuel ministered unto the LORD before Eli. And the word of the LORD was precious in those days; there was no open vision.”
The chapter depicts a spiritually dark time — God speaks seldom. But then He calls a child.
The Scene
- Samuel sleeps in the tabernacle by the ark of God
- He hears his name called three times
- Each time he runs to Eli — he thinks it is Eli calling
- Eli eventually realises it is the LORD and teaches Samuel how to answer (1 Sam 3:8–9)
1 Samuel 3:10: “And the LORD came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel answered, Speak; for thy servant heareth.”
1 Samuel 3:19–20: “And Samuel grew, and the LORD was with him, and did let none of his words fall to the ground. And all Israel from Dan even to Beer-sheba knew that Samuel was established to be a prophet of the LORD.”
Samuel as Judge and Spiritual Leader (1 Samuel 4–7)
The Ark of the Covenant Lost — A National Crisis
1 Samuel 4:10–11: “And the Philistines fought, and Israel was smitten, and they fled every man into his tent: and there was a very great slaughter… and the ark of God was taken…”
This is a low point — the ark, symbol of God’s presence, is in the hands of the enemy. Eli dies when he hears the news. His daughter-in-law names her child “Ichabod” — “the glory is departed”.
Samuel Leads a National Revival (1 Samuel 7)
Twenty years later Samuel calls Israel to repentance. This is one of the clearest revival scenes in the Old Testament.
1 Samuel 7:3: “And Samuel spake unto all the house of Israel, saying, If ye do return unto the LORD with all your hearts, then put away the strange gods and Ashtaroth from among you, and prepare your hearts unto the LORD, and serve him only…”
- Israel put away the Baals and served the LORD (1 Sam 7:4)
- Samuel prayed and offered a burnt offering (1 Sam 7:9)
- God confused the Philistines with thunder and Israel prevailed (1 Sam 7:10)
- Samuel set up a memorial stone called “Ebenezer” — “Hitherto hath the LORD helped us” (1 Sam 7:12)
The Painful Season: Israel Asks for a King (1 Samuel 8)
One of the most heartbreaking chapters in Samuel’s life. After all he had done, the people turn away from God’s kingship.
1 Samuel 8:4–7: “Then all the elders of Israel gathered themselves together, and came to Samuel unto Ramah, And said unto him, Behold, thou art old… make us a king to judge us like all the nations. But the thing displeased Samuel… and the LORD said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them.”
Samuel fully warns the people about what an earthly king will cost (1 Sam 8:10–18), but they persist. This is a proof of his integrity — he speaks the truth even when it is not what people want to hear.
Samuel Anoints Saul — and Later David (1 Samuel 9–10; 16)
Saul Anointed as First King
God points Samuel to Saul — an impressive man, head and shoulders above others. Samuel anoints him privately and later he is publicly appointed.
1 Samuel 10:1: “Then Samuel took a vial of oil, and poured it upon his head, and kissed him, and said, Is it not because the LORD hath anointed thee to be captain over his inheritance?”
1 Samuel 10:9: “And it was so, that when he had turned his back to go from Samuel, God gave him another heart…”
Saul’s Fall — Samuel Must Announce the Judgement
Saul’s disobedience, especially at Gilgal (1 Sam 13) and against the Amalekites (1 Sam 15), leads to his rejection.
1 Samuel 15:22: “And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.”
1 Samuel 15:35: “And Samuel came no more to see Saul until the day of his death: nevertheless Samuel mourned for Saul: and the LORD repented that he had made Saul king over Israel.”
Samuel Anoints David — God’s Man after God’s Heart
1 Samuel 16:7: “But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.”
Samuel anoints the youngest son of Jesse — the shepherd boy whom no one expected. This is David, the man after God’s own heart.
What Makes Samuel a Giant of Faith? — Character Studies
Let us list the qualities that make Samuel’s faith so powerful:
Integrity and Honesty
1 Samuel 12:3–5: “Behold, here I am: witness against me before the LORD, and before his anointed: whose ox have I taken? or whose ass have I taken? or whom have I defrauded? whom have I oppressed? or of whose hand have I received any bribe to blind mine eyes therewith?… And they said, Thou hast not defrauded us, nor oppressed us…”
Prayer Life
1 Samuel 12:23: “Moreover as for me, God forbid that I should sin against the LORD in ceasing to pray for you…”
Samuel regards ceasing to pray as sin. Prayer was not an optional practice for him — it was his duty and his strength.
Obedience above Personal Feeling
Samuel mourned for Saul (1 Sam 15:35), but he obeyed God’s command and anointed David. His emotions were real, but his obedience was not determined by them.
Prophetic Courage
Samuel spoke truth to kings, even when it placed him in danger (1 Sam 16:2). But he went.
Even after Death — Samuel’s Legacy (1 Samuel 25; 28)
1 Samuel 25:1: “And Samuel died; and all the Israelites were gathered together, and lamented him, and buried him in his house at Ramah…”
The fact that the entire nation mourned shows what impact this one man’s life had. Even after his death his influence continues to be felt — Saul’s desperate visit to the witch of Endor (1 Sam 28) is a sombre contrast: the man who once had to obey God’s prophet now seeks him in death.
Samuel in the New Testament
Samuel is not only mentioned in Hebrews 11. He also appears in Acts, where Paul summarises Israel’s history:
Acts 13:20–22: “…and after that he gave unto them judges about the space of four hundred and fifty years, until Samuel the prophet. And afterward they desired a king: and God gave unto them Saul… and when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king…”
Samuel is the link between the period of the Judges and the monarchy — a key figure in the history of salvation that leads to Christ. David, whom Samuel anointed, is the forefather of Jesus Christ himself.
Luke 1:32–33: “He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever…”
Samuel’s anointing of David was part of God’s greater plan to bring His Son into the world. He was a link in the chain of grace.
Summary: Why is Samuel in the Gallery?
Hebrews 11:32 mentions Samuel among the great witnesses of faith. Here are the reasons:
- He lived a life of prayer — from Hannah’s prayer at his conception to his own promise never to cease praying
- He obeyed God’s voice even when it was difficult and painful
- He served with integrity — his testimony was blameless before the people
- He anointed Saul and David and thereby prepared the way for the Messianic royal line
- He did not seek his own honour — when the people wanted a king, he made it God’s decision
- He persevered through loss, rejection and heartache without losing his faith
Hebrews 11:6: “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”