All Israel acknowledged God’s hand upon Samuel, confirming him as a prophet who would guide them according to the LORD’s will.
The scripture records that, “All Israel from Dan even to Beersheba knew that Samuel was confirmed as a prophet of the LORD” (v.20), weaving together a picture of national recognition for Samuel’s calling. The phrase “from Dan even to Beersheba” often appears in the Old Testament to denote the entire land of Israel from its northernmost city of Dan to the southern region near Beersheba, underscoring that everyone throughout the nation acknowledged Samuel’s God-given role. Dan was located near Israel’s northern border, while Beersheba was in the territory of Judah to the south, so the verse highlights a complete, country-wide honor for Samuel’s prophetic office.
Samuel served at a pivotal time in Israel’s history, bridging the final years of the judges and the dawn of the monarchy. He was dedicated to the LORD from birth by his mother, Hannah (1 Samuel 1:27-28), and as he grew, God spoke to him and established him as a reliable mouthpiece of truth among the people. The people’s recognition that he was a prophet shows that the LORD’s presence was upon him, validating the messages he delivered and preparing Israel for the coming national changes, which would include anointing its first kings.
This widespread confirmation signified not just Samuel’s role, but God’s sovereignty in choosing His servants. Through Samuel’s leadership, Israel remembered that the ultimate authority and power were in God alone. The verse thus marks a turning point: where once the nation wandered without a clear, righteous leader, it now had someone fully recognized as speaking with the voice of the LORD.
Set to dark mode
1 Samuel 3:20 meaning
The scripture records that, “All Israel from Dan even to Beersheba knew that Samuel was confirmed as a prophet of the LORD” (v.20), weaving together a picture of national recognition for Samuel’s calling. The phrase “from Dan even to Beersheba” often appears in the Old Testament to denote the entire land of Israel from its northernmost city of Dan to the southern region near Beersheba, underscoring that everyone throughout the nation acknowledged Samuel’s God-given role. Dan was located near Israel’s northern border, while Beersheba was in the territory of Judah to the south, so the verse highlights a complete, country-wide honor for Samuel’s prophetic office.
Samuel served at a pivotal time in Israel’s history, bridging the final years of the judges and the dawn of the monarchy. He was dedicated to the LORD from birth by his mother, Hannah (1 Samuel 1:27-28), and as he grew, God spoke to him and established him as a reliable mouthpiece of truth among the people. The people’s recognition that he was a prophet shows that the LORD’s presence was upon him, validating the messages he delivered and preparing Israel for the coming national changes, which would include anointing its first kings.
This widespread confirmation signified not just Samuel’s role, but God’s sovereignty in choosing His servants. Through Samuel’s leadership, Israel remembered that the ultimate authority and power were in God alone. The verse thus marks a turning point: where once the nation wandered without a clear, righteous leader, it now had someone fully recognized as speaking with the voice of the LORD.