According to the Bible (1 Samuel 1-2) Samuel was the son of Elkanah and Hannah and was sent to live with the priest Eli in the Temple in Jerusalem when he was a toddler (see Oblates). He only saw his parents once a year, remaining in the Temple for about 12 years.

He grew up to be one of the greatest prophet-judges of the Jews. It was Samuel who, against his better judgment, anointed Saul as king of Israel, and later David, to take Saul's place.

References

Encyclopedia of Religion. 16 vols. (New York: Macmillan, 1987)
The Complete Who's Who in the Bible, edited by Paul Gardner. (London: Marshall Pickering, 1995)
Encyclopaedia Judaica, edited by Cecil Roth. (Jerusalem: Keter Publishing House, 1971)
New Standard Jewish Encyclopedia, editor-in-chief Geoffrey Wigoder. 7th edition. (New York: Facts On File, 1992)

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