(God hath heard). Son of Elkanah and Hannah, celebrated Hebrew prophet and last of the judges (1 Sam. 1:19-28). Educated under Eli (1 Sam. 3:4-14), and became his successor in the prophetic office. His sons proved so recreant that the people demanded a king, and Samuel anointed Saul, and resigned his authority to him (1 Sam. 12). He also anointed David, Saul’s successor (1 Sam. 16:13). He died at Ramah (1 Sam. 25:1). The two books which bear his name, the 9th and 10th of O. T., are called also First and Second Books of Kings. They were originally one book and contain the lives of Samuel, Saul, and David. The authorship is ascribed to a period subsequent to the secession of the ten tribes. In Kings the Exile is alluded to; it is not so in Samuel. The plans of the two works vary; Samuel is biographical, Kings annalistic.