The prophet Samuel was the fifteenth and last judge of Israel, living 1146 years before the birth of Christ. He was of the tribe of Levi, the son of Elkanah from Ramathaim-Zophim. He was born, having been requested from the Lord through the prayers of his mother Hannah, and was dedicated to God. When the boy was three years old, his mother went with him to Shiloh and entrusted him to the care of the high priest Eli. The prophet grew in the fear of God, and at the age of twelve, he received a revelation that God would punish the entire house of Eli for the disobedience of his sons.
The prophecy was fulfilled when the Philistines, having killed 30,000 Israelites, achieved victory and took the Ark of God. The high priest Eli fell from his seat and died. The wife of Phinehas, upon hearing of the events, died with the words: 'The glory has departed from Israel, for the Ark of God has been taken.'
After the death of Eli, Samuel became the judge of the people of Israel. During his time, the Ark of God was returned from captivity, and after the Israelites turned back to God, they regained all the cities that the Philistines had taken. Samuel appointed his sons Joel and Abijah as judges, but they did not inherit their father's integrity. The elders of Israel demanded that the prophet appoint a king for them. The prophet Samuel saw this as a fall of the people, who were governed by God Himself.
As he left the position of judge, the prophet asked the people if he had wronged anyone, but no one found anything against him. After rebuking the first king Saul for disobedience to God, the prophet anointed David as king. The prophet Samuel passed away, having reached a great old age. His life is described in the Bible. In 406, the relics of the prophet Samuel were transferred from Judea to Constantinople.
