Samuel was the last of the judges and the first of the prophets (At 3:24; 13:20). He was highly revered in Israel. About 500 years after his death, the Lord said to Jeremiah concerning sinful Israel: "Even if Moses and Samuel were to stand before me [interceding for them], my heart would not go out to these people" (Jr 15:1). He truly was a man of prayer and, when he prayed, the Lord answered his prayers: thundering from heaven when the Philistines moved forward to attack, causing them to flee in panic.

"As Samuel grew up, the Lord was with him and made come true everything that Samuel said. So all the people of Israel, from one end of the country to the other, knew that Samuel was indeed a prophet of the Lord … and when Samuel spoke, all Israel listened" (1Sm 3:19-21).

When the people rejected God's direct rule over them and demanded a king, Samuel rebuked them and to prove they had done an evil thing he prayed and the Lord sent thunder and rain even though it was the dry season. But, like a true pastor, Samuel reassured them: "Don't be afraid. Even though you have done such an evil thing, do not turn away from the Lord, but serve him with all your heart … The Lord has made a solemn promise, and he will not abandon you, for he has decided to make you his own people. As for me, the Lord forbid that I should sin against him by no longer praying for you. Instead, I will teach you what is good and right for you to do" (1Sm 12:20-23). 

The story of Samuel hearing God speaking to him as a young boy was one of my mother's favourites as she taught children on Sunday mornings. That God would entrust such a message of judgement to a child reveals so much about Samuel's maturity; it was way beyond his years. I love to hear of young children being used of God to bring prophetic words and also to pray for the sick and see them healed. Their faith can be so strong and their humility so transparently genuine. No wonder Jesus said: "Unless you change [turn your whole life around and move in a different direction] and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven" (Mt 18:3-4).