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'''Samuel''' (Hebrew: שְׁמוּאֵל, pronunced "Shmu'el") (15 January 1151 BC–fl. 18 June 1101 BC–ca. 1060 BC) was the fifteenth and last [[Judge (biblical)|Judge]] and the first of the major [[prophet]]s of [[Israel]] in the [[Bible]]. Given as a gift to serve God when God answerd the prayers of his mother to allow her to become pregnant, Samuel served in the temple under [[Eli]] and heard God call him.  God had to call him several times as each time Samuel would go to Eli, not realizing it was God.

'''Samuel''' (Hebrew: שְׁמוּאֵל, pronounced "Shmu'el") (15 January 1151 BC–fl. 18 June 1101 BC–ca. 1060 BC) was the fifteenth and last [[Judge (biblical)|Judge]] and the first of the major [[prophet]]s of [[Israel]] in the [[Bible]]. Given as a gift to serve God when God answerd the prayers of his mother to allow her to become pregnant, Samuel served in the temple under [[Eli]] and heard God call him.  God had to call him several times as each time Samuel would go to Eli, not realizing it was God.

Samuel is considered the last [[judge (biblical)|judge]] and the first [[prophet]]<ref>I Samuel 7:6, Acts 3:24</ref>. His judgeship marks the transition from the time of the [[Judge (biblical)|judges]] to the time of Kings in that he annointed [[Saul]] and [[David]] as the first two kings of Israel.  Samuel's deeds are described in the book of [[I Samuel]].

Samuel is considered the last [[judge (biblical)|judge]] and the first [[prophet]].<ref>I Samuel 7:6, Acts 3:24</ref>  His judgeship marks the transition from the time of the [[Judge (biblical)|judges]] to the time of Kings in that he anointed [[Saul]] and [[David]] as the first two kings of Israel.  Samuel's deeds are described in the book of [[I Samuel]].

== Name ==

== Name ==

== Critical views ==

== Critical views ==

By tradition, Samuel wrote most of the first of the books that bear his name, and the prophet Nathan and a minor seer named Gad wrote the rest. Some modern authorities suggest instead that the present Books of Samuel (originally published as one volume) were written much later than the events that they describe, and are actually compilations of often inconsistent stories. <ref name=Hirsch1>Hirsch EG, Bachler W, and Lauterbach JZ, "[http://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/view.jsp?artid=130&letter=S Samuel]," ''The Jewish Encyclopedia'', n.d. Accessed December 26, 2008.</ref><ref name=Britannica> "Samuel." ''Encyclopædia Britannica''. 2008. Encyclopædia Britannica Online. Accessed December 26, 2008 <http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/520794/Samuel>.</ref><ref name=Hirsch2>Hirsch EG, "[http://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/view.jsp?artid=131&letter=S Samuel, Books of]," ''The Jewish Encyclopedia'', n.d. Accessed December 26, 2008.</ref> Hirsch also declares, with no warrant, that the [[Masoretic Text]] of the books of Samuel is "corrupt."<ref name=Hirsch2/>

By tradition, Samuel wrote most of the first of the books that bear his name, and the prophet Nathan and a minor seer named Gad wrote the rest. Some modern authorities suggest instead that the present Books of Samuel (originally published as one volume) were written much later than the events that they describe, and are actually compilations of often inconsistent stories.<ref name=Hirsch1>Hirsch EG, Bachler W, and Lauterbach JZ, "[http://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/view.jsp?artid=130&letter=S Samuel]," ''The Jewish Encyclopedia'', n.d. Accessed December 26, 2008.</ref><ref name=Britannica>"Samuel." ''Encyclopædia Britannica''. 2008. Encyclopædia Britannica Online. Accessed December 26, 2008 <http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/520794/Samuel>.</ref><ref name=Hirsch2>Hirsch EG, "[http://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/view.jsp?artid=131&letter=S Samuel, Books of]," ''The Jewish Encyclopedia'', n.d. Accessed December 26, 2008.</ref> Hirsch also declares, with no warrant, that the [[Masoretic Text]] of the books of Samuel is "corrupt."<ref name=Hirsch2/>

The main objection seems to be to the two different narratives concerning the accession of Saul. But these authorities never consider that Saul might have received two separate acclamations. The first acclamation occurs after a choice by lot. The apparent reliance on [[randomness]] is misleading. [[God]] is Sovereign over all events, and therefore nothing is truly random. The second acclamation follows a military victory as decisive as the victory of [[Gideon]], and such a victory would be a further sign that Saul had the blessing of God, at least at first.

The main objection seems to be to the two different narratives concerning the accession of Saul. But these authorities never consider that Saul might have received two separate acclamations. The first acclamation occurs after a choice by lot. The apparent reliance on [[randomness]] is misleading. [[God]] is Sovereign over all events, and therefore nothing is truly random. The second acclamation follows a military victory as decisive as the victory of [[Gideon]], and such a victory would be a further sign that Saul had the blessing of God, at least at first.