The Prophet Samuel
Prophet and judge of Israel who, according to the Old Testament, anointed Saul and David as kings.
Biography
Samuel was born at Ramathaim, the son of Elkanah and Hannah, who was barren and conceived him after prayer. Hannah dedicated him to God from childhood, in the service of the priest Eli at Shiloh.
As he grew, Samuel became a great prophet and a most just judge of Israel for forty years, and he anointed Saul and David as kings.
Tradition holds that he wrote the books of 1 and 2 Samuel (Kings) and founded the order of the Essenes. He died in old age.