St. Samuel the Patriarch

Samuel was the last Judge of Israel, described in the Old Testament book of 1 Kings, and was the son of Elcana and Hannah, who vowed before his birth to give him to God. Elcana went up to Shiloh yearly to offer sacrifice, and when Samuel was old enough, Hannah went with her husband and took her little boy with her. They came to Eli the high I high priest, and Hannah said: "Oh, my Lord, I am the woman that stood by thee here praying. For this child I prayed; and the Lord hath given me my petition. Therefore also have I given him to the Lord." Then she left Samuel with Eli.

At maturity (probably around the age of 12), according to the text, during a certain night Samuel began to hear a voice calling his name; he initially assumed it was coming from Eli and went to Eli to ask what he wished to say. Eli, however, sent Samuel back to sleep. After a few times Eli told Samuel that the voice was God's, and instructed Samuel on how to respond. Samuel afterward delivered Israel from the domination of the Philistines.

He is believed by some to be the author of the books of Judges and Ruth, and the first 24 verses of 1 Kings. In his old age he appointed his sons judges over Israel, but they displeased the people, who asked him for a king, and the Lord told him to anoint Saul (1 Kings 8).

His Feast Day is August 20th.