An interesting picture of Samuel's general manner of life is afforded us in 1 Samuel 7:15-17. “And Samuel judged Israel all the days of his life. And he went from year to year in circuit to Bethel, and Gilgal, and Mizpeh, and judged Israel in all those places. And his return was to Ramah; for there was his house; and there he judged Israel; and there he built an altar unto the Lord.” The utter collapse of the old order in Israel is clearly seen. The tabernacle was in the land, and doubtless some successor of Eli, with his Aaronic associates, exercised priestly functions therein, but it is all completely ignored in the passage before us.
Samuel lived in Ramah, which means “heights.” There, “above the restless world that wars below,” he built an altar for himself, where he enjoyed hallowed communion with the Lord. It was as if patriarchal conditions had returned (Gen. 12:7, 26:25). From Ramah, Samuel went forth from time to time, instructing and doing justice among the people of God, helping to put things right here and there as opportunity offered. But where was the priest, whose moral responsibilities are so plainly shown in Leviticus 10:8-11 and Malachi 2:7? He is omitted from the record as though he had no existence.