Samuel was the last judge of Israel, a prophet, and a priest, who served during the transition from the period of judges to the monarchy. Although the Bible describes him as an Ephraimite, he was a member of the tribe of Levi. This is why he was able to perform the role of a priest.
1 Chronicles 6:34the son of Zuph, the son of Elkanah, the son of Mahath, the son of Amasai,1 Chronicles 6:35the son of Elkanah, the son of Joel, the son of Azariah, the son of Zephaniah,1 Chronicles 6:36the son of Tahath, the son of Assir, the son of Ebiasaph, the son of Korah,1 Chronicles 6:37the son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi, the son of Israel.1 Chronicles 6:38His brother Asaph, who stood on his right hand, even Asaph the son of Berechiah, the son of Shimea,
에브라임 지역의 라마 다임소빔에 거주하던 엘가나와 그의 처 한나가 있었는데, 오랫동안 자식이 없어 하나님께 간구하여 얻은 아들이다.
1 Samuel 1:1He had two wives. The name of one was Hannah), and the name of the other Peninnah). Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children.
1 Samuel 1:10She vowed a vow, and said, “Yahweh of Armies, if you will indeed look at the affliction of your servant and remember me, and not forget your servant, but will give to your servant a boy, then I will give him to Yahweh all the days of his life, and no razor shall come on his head.”1 Samuel 1:11As she continued praying before Yahweh, Eli saw her mouth.
1 Samuel 1:22Elkanah her husband said to her, “Do what seems good to you. Wait until you have weaned him; only may Yahweh establish his word.” So the woman waited and nursed her son until she weaned him.
어린 사무엘은 성전에서 당시 제사장이었던 엘리의 수종을 들며 지냈다.
1 Samuel 2:11Now the sons of Eli were wicked men. They didn’t know Yahweh.
1 Samuel 2:17But Samuel ministered before Yahweh, being a child, clothed with a linen ephod.
1 Samuel 2:26A man of God came to Eli and said to him, “Yahweh says, ‘Did I reveal myself to the house of your father when they were in Egypt in bondage to Pharaoh’s house?
1 Samuel 3:19All Israel from Dan even to Beersheba knew that Samuel was established to be a prophet of Yahweh.1 Samuel 3:20Yahweh appeared again in Shiloh); for Yahweh revealed himself to Samuel in Shiloh by Yahweh’s word.
블레셋 민족과 계속 전쟁을 벌이던 와중에 이스라엘 백성들은 지속된 패배를 만회하고자, 언약궤를 앞세워 싸우는 방법을 택했다.
이러한 국가적 위기 앞에 사무엘은 미스바에서 민족을 모아 금식을 선포하며 회개기도를 올려들였다.
1 Samuel 7:7The children of Israel said to Samuel, “Don’t stop crying to Yahweh our God for us, that he will save us out of the hand of the Philistines.”1 Samuel 7:8Samuel took a suckling lamb, and offered it for a whole burnt offering to Yahweh. Samuel cried to Yahweh for Israel; and Yahweh answered him.1 Samuel 7:9As Samuel was offering up the burnt offering, the Philistines) came near to battle against Israel); but Yahweh thundered with a great thunder on that day on the Philistines, and confused them; and they were struck down before Israel.1 Samuel 7:10The men of Israel went out of Mizpah, and pursued the Philistines, and struck them, until they came under Beth Kar.1 Samuel 7:11Then Samuel took a stone, and set it between Mizpah and Shen, and called its name Ebenezer, saying, “Yahweh helped us until now.”
이에, 이스라엘의 장로들이 사무엘에게 나가 왕을 세워주기를 요청하여, 기스의 아들 사울을 왕으로 삼아 기름부었다.
그러나, 사울 왕이 점차 타락하여 하나님의 뜻을 저버리자, 하나님은 다시금 이새의 아들 다윗을 새로운 왕으로 세우도록 명하시고, 사무엘은 그에 순종하여 다윗에게 기름을 다시 붓는다.