Biblical Meaning of the Name Samuel: Name of God
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Where the name comes from
Samuel is Hebrew, Shemuel. Scholars most often read it as "name of God", from shem, "name", and El, "God"; another respected reading is "God has heard". The Bible adds its own connection: his mother Hannah named him saying "Because I have asked him of the LORD", which is why many people say Samuel means "asked of God", though that is wordplay rather than the literal meaning.
Samuel in the Bible
Samuel was the son Hannah prayed for. As a boy serving in the house of God at Shiloh, he heard God call him by name in the night, and answered "Speak; for thy servant heareth". He grew up to be a prophet and the last of Israel's judges, and he anointed both Saul and David as king.
Wherefore it came to pass, when the time was come about after Hannah had conceived, that she bare a son, and called his name Samuel, saying, Because I have asked him of the LORD.
And the LORD came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel answered, Speak; for thy servant heareth.
And all Israel from Dan even to Beersheba knew that Samuel was established to be a prophet of the LORD.
A blessing for Samuel
Samuel, may you be a listener, as Samuel was. May you hear God when he calls your name, and answer as the boy at Shiloh did, "Speak; for thy servant heareth", and may your life carry his name well.