45 Bible Trivia Questions About the Prophet Samuel

Samuel was given to God as a child, heard the Lord call his name at night and later anointed both Saul and David. How well do you know his life?

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Easy questions

  1. Question 1Easy

    What did Samuel name the stone he set up, meaning 'Thus far the Lord has helped us'?

    Answer: B. Ebenezer1 Samuel 7:12
    Then Samuel took a stone, and set it between Mizpeh and Shen, and called the name of it Ebenezer, saying, Hitherto hath the LORD helped us.
  2. Question 2Easy

    The Lord was with Samuel as he grew up, and he let none of Samuel's words fall to the ground.

    Answer: True1 Samuel 3:19
    And Samuel grew, and the LORD was with him, and did let none of his words fall to the ground.
  3. Question 3Easy

    What name did Hannah give to her son, meaning 'Because I asked the Lord for him'?

    Answer: B. Samuel1 Samuel 1:20
    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.
  4. Question 4Easy

    In the days when the boy Samuel ministered to the Lord, what was rare?

    Answer: B. The word of the Lord1 Samuel 3:1
    And the child Samuel ministered unto the LORD before Eli. And the word of the LORD was precious in those days; there was no open vision.
  5. Question 5Easy

    The medium of Endor shrieked in fear when she saw Samuel rising.

    Answer: True1 Samuel 28:12
    And when the woman saw Samuel, she cried with a loud voice: and the woman spake to Saul, saying, Why hast thou deceived me? for thou art Saul.
  6. Question 6Easy

    The boy Samuel grew in stature and in favor with the Lord and with people.

    Answer: True1 Samuel 2:26
    And the child Samuel grew on, and was in favour both with the LORD, and also with men.
  7. Question 7Easy

    What was Saul looking for when he first met Samuel?

    Answer: D. His father's lost donkeys1 Samuel 9:3
    And the asses of Kish Saul's father were lost. And Kish said to Saul his son, Take now one of the servants with thee, and arise, go seek the asses.

Medium questions

  1. Question 8Medium

    What did Hannah make for Samuel each year?

    Answer: A. A little robe1 Samuel 2:19
    Moreover his mother made him a little coat, and brought it to him from year to year, when she came up with her husband to offer the yearly sacrifice.
  2. Question 9Medium

    Why did King Saul offer the burnt offering himself instead of waiting for Samuel?

    Answer: B. He saw the men scattering and was afraid1 Samuel 13:11-12
    And Samuel said, What hast thou done? And Saul said, Because I saw that the people were scattered from me, and that thou camest not within the days appointed, and that the Philistines gathered themselves together at Michmash; Therefore said I, The Philistines will come down now upon me to Gilgal, and I have not made supplication unto the LORD: I forced myself therefore, and offered a burnt offering.
  3. Question 10Medium

    Complete Samuel's rebuke: 'To obey is better than...'

    Answer: D. Sacrifice1 Samuel 15:22
    And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.
  4. Question 11Medium

    When Samuel anointed David as king in Bethlehem, what was the container he used to hold the oil?

    Answer: D. An animal horn1 Samuel 16:1
    And the LORD said unto Samuel, How long wilt thou mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel? fill thine horn with oil, and go, I will send thee to Jesse the Bethlehemite: for I have provided me a king among his sons.
  5. Question 12Medium

    Why was Saul in great distress when he consulted Samuel?

    Answer: D. The Philistines were fighting him and God had departed from him1 Samuel 28:15
    And Samuel said to Saul, Why hast thou disquieted me, to bring me up? And Saul answered, I am sore distressed; for the Philistines make war against me, and God is departed from me, and answereth me no more, neither by prophets, nor by dreams: therefore I have called thee, that thou mayest make known unto me what I shall do.
  6. Question 13Medium

    What did Samuel pour on King Saul's head to anoint him?

    Answer: D. Olive oil1 Samuel 10:1
    Then Samuel took a vial of oil, and poured it upon his head, and kissed him, and said, Is it not because the LORD hath anointed thee to be captain over his inheritance?
  7. Question 14Medium

    Where was Samuel buried?

    Answer: D. At his home in Ramah1 Samuel 25:1
    And Samuel died; and all the Israelites were gathered together, and lamented him, and buried him in his house at Ramah. And David arose, and went down to the wilderness of Paran.
  8. Question 15Medium

    While Samuel was choosing the next king of Israel, what did God tell him as he looked at Jesse’s son Eliab?

    Answer: D. The Lord does not look at the things people look at; the Lord looks at the heart1 Samuel 16:7
    But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.
  9. Question 16Medium

    Samuel told Saul he had acted foolishly by not keeping the Lord's command.

    Answer: True1 Samuel 13:13
    And Samuel said to Saul, Thou hast done foolishly: thou hast not kept the commandment of the LORD thy God, which he commanded thee: for now would the LORD have established thy kingdom upon Israel for ever.
  10. Question 17Medium

    What foreign gods did Samuel tell Israel to put away?

    Answer: A. Baals and Ashtoreths1 Samuel 7:3
    And Samuel spake unto all the house of Israel, saying, If ye do return unto the LORD with all your hearts, then put away the strange gods and Ashtaroth from among you, and prepare your hearts unto the LORD, and serve him only: and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines.
  11. Question 18Medium

    God told Samuel that the people were not rejecting Samuel, but rejecting God as their king.

    Answer: True1 Samuel 8:7
    And the LORD said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them.
  12. Question 19Medium

    What gift did Saul and his servant plan to give Samuel?

    Answer: D. A quarter shekel of silver1 Samuel 9:7-8
    Then said Saul to his servant, But, behold, if we go, what shall we bring the man? for the bread is spent in our vessels, and there is not a present to bring to the man of God: what have we? And the servant answered Saul again, and said, Behold, I have here at hand the fourth part of a shekel of silver: that will I give to the man of God, to tell us our way.
  13. Question 20Medium

    What did Samuel prophesy would happen to Saul and his sons?

    Answer: A. Tomorrow you and your sons will be with me (dead)1 Samuel 28:19
    Moreover the LORD will also deliver Israel with thee into the hand of the Philistines: and to morrow shalt thou and thy sons be with me: the LORD also shall deliver the host of Israel into the hand of the Philistines.
  14. Question 21Medium

    From which hill country was Elkanah, the father of Samuel?

    Answer: C. Ephraim1 Samuel 1:1
    Now there was a certain man of Ramathaimzophim, of mount Ephraim, and his name was Elkanah, the son of Jeroham, the son of Elihu, the son of Tohu, the son of Zuph, an Ephrathite:
  15. Question 22Medium

    What unlawful act did Saul commit at Gilgal while waiting for Samuel?

    Answer: A. He offered the burnt offering himself1 Samuel 13:9
    And Saul said, Bring hither a burnt offering to me, and peace offerings. And he offered the burnt offering.
  16. Question 23Medium

    Where was Samuel's home, where he built an altar to the Lord?

    Answer: D. Ramah1 Samuel 7:17
    And his return was to Ramah; for there was his house; and there he judged Israel; and there he built an altar unto the LORD.
  17. Question 24Medium

    Samuel told Saul the Lord tore the kingdom from him because he did not carry out God's wrath against whom?

    Answer: B. The Amalekites1 Samuel 28:18
    Because thou obeyedst not the voice of the LORD, nor executedst his fierce wrath upon Amalek, therefore hath the LORD done this thing unto thee this day.
  18. Question 25Medium

    Why did the elders of Israel ask Samuel for a king?

    Answer: B. To be like all the other nations1 Samuel 8:5
    And said unto him, Behold, thou art old, and thy sons walk not in thy ways: now make us a king to judge us like all the nations.
  19. Question 26Medium

    How was the barrenness of Hannah, Samuel's mother, generally viewed by society?

    Answer: B. As a source of great shame, sorrow, and sometimes divine disfavor1 Samuel 1:5-11
    But unto Hannah he gave a worthy portion; for he loved Hannah: but the LORD had shut up her womb. And her adversary also provoked her sore, for to make her fret, because the LORD had shut up her womb. And as he did so year by year, when she went up to the house of the LORD, so she provoked her; therefore she wept, and did not eat. Then said Elkanah her husband to her, Hannah, why weepest thou? and why eatest thou …
  20. Question 27Medium

    What sins did Samuel's sons commit as judges?

    Answer: C. Accepted bribes and perverted justice1 Samuel 8:3
    And his sons walked not in his ways, but turned aside after lucre, and took bribes, and perverted judgment.
  21. Question 28Medium

    God told Samuel that He regretted making Saul king.

    Answer: True1 Samuel 15:11
    It repenteth me that I have set up Saul to be king: for he is turned back from following me, and hath not performed my commandments. And it grieved Samuel; and he cried unto the LORD all night.
  22. Question 29Medium

    What physical state was King Saul in after hearing Samuel's message?

    Answer: B. He fell full length on the ground, terrified and weak1 Samuel 28:20
    Then Saul fell straightway all along on the earth, and was sore afraid, because of the words of Samuel: and there was no strength in him; for he had eaten no bread all the day, nor all the night.
  23. Question 30Medium

    Where did Samuel gather all Israel to pray and confess their sins?

    Answer: D. Mizpah1 Samuel 7:5-6
    And Samuel said, Gather all Israel to Mizpeh, and I will pray for you unto the LORD. And they gathered together to Mizpeh, and drew water, and poured it out before the LORD, and fasted on that day, and said there, We have sinned against the LORD. And Samuel judged the children of Israel in Mizpeh.
  24. Question 31Medium

    Samuel said it would be a sin against the Lord if he stopped doing what for the people?

    Answer: C. Praying for them1 Samuel 12:23
    Moreover as for me, God forbid that I should sin against the LORD in ceasing to pray for you: but I will teach you the good and the right way:
  25. Question 32Medium

    Samuel mourned for Saul, and the Lord regretted making Saul king.

    Answer: True1 Samuel 15:35
    And Samuel came no more to see Saul until the day of his death: nevertheless Samuel mourned for Saul: and the LORD repented that he had made Saul king over Israel.
  26. Question 33Medium

    How did Samuel respond the fourth time the Lord called him?

    Answer: B. Speak, for your servant is listening1 Samuel 3:10
    And the LORD came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel answered, Speak; for thy servant heareth.
  27. Question 34Medium

    What did Samuel offer to the Lord at Mizpah before the Philistines attacked?

    Answer: C. A suckling lamb1 Samuel 7:9
    And Samuel took a sucking lamb, and offered it for a burnt offering wholly unto the LORD: and Samuel cried unto the LORD for Israel; and the LORD heard him.
  28. Question 35Medium

    What did Samuel tell Saul about the kingdom in the medium's house?

    Answer: B. The Lord has torn the kingdom from your hands and given it to David1 Samuel 28:17
    And the LORD hath done to him, as he spake by me: for the LORD hath rent the kingdom out of thine hand, and given it to thy neighbour, even to David:
  29. Question 36Medium

    To whom did David flee at Ramah?

    Answer: D. Samuel1 Samuel 19:18
    So David fled, and escaped, and came to Samuel to Ramah, and told him all that Saul had done to him. And he and Samuel went and dwelt in Naioth.
  30. Question 37Medium

    When Hannah weaned Samuel, what did she take with her to Shiloh?

    Answer: B. Three bulls, flour, and wine1 Samuel 1:24
    And when she had weaned him, she took him up with her, with three bullocks, and one ephah of flour, and a bottle of wine, and brought him unto the house of the LORD in Shiloh: and the child was young.
  31. Question 38Medium

    When the Lord called Samuel at night, who did Samuel think was calling him?

    Answer: B. Eli1 Samuel 3:4-5
    That the LORD called Samuel: and he answered, Here am I. And he ran unto Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou calledst me. And he said, I called not; lie down again. And he went and lay down.
  32. Question 39Medium

    How did Samuel execute Agag?

    Answer: B. He hewed him in pieces1 Samuel 15:33
    And Samuel said, As thy sword hath made women childless, so shall thy mother be childless among women. And Samuel hewed Agag in pieces before the LORD in Gilgal.
  33. Question 40Medium

    Because of Saul's disobedience at Gilgal, what did Samuel say would happen to his kingdom?

    Answer: B. It would not endure1 Samuel 13:14
    But now thy kingdom shall not continue: the LORD hath sought him a man after his own heart, and the LORD hath commanded him to be captain over his people, because thou hast not kept that which the LORD commanded thee.
  34. Question 41Medium

    What happened when Saul grabbed Samuel's robe to stop him from leaving?

    Answer: B. It tore1 Samuel 15:27
    And as Samuel turned about to go away, he laid hold upon the skirt of his mantle, and it rent.
  35. Question 42Medium

    During the wheat harvest, what sign did Samuel ask the Lord to send to show the Israelites their wickedness in asking for a king?

    Answer: D. Thunder and rain1 Samuel 12:17
    Is it not wheat harvest to day? I will call unto the LORD, and he shall send thunder and rain; that ye may perceive and see that your wickedness is great, which ye have done in the sight of the LORD, in asking you a king.

Hard questions

  1. Question 43Hard

    Which three places did Samuel visit annually on his circuit to judge Israel?

    Answer: B. Bethel, Gilgal, and Mizpah1 Samuel 7:16
    And he went from year to year in circuit to Bethel, and Gilgal, and Mizpeh, and judged Israel in all those places.
  2. Question 44Hard

    When King Saul consulted the medium of Endor, how did she describe Samuel's appearance?

    Answer: D. An old man wrapped in a robe1 Samuel 28:14
    And he said unto her, What form is he of? And she said, An old man cometh up; and he is covered with a mantle. And Saul perceived that it was Samuel, and he stooped with his face to the ground, and bowed himself.
  3. Question 45Hard

    Which deceased prophet did the medium of Endor call up for Saul?

    Answer: B. Samuel1 Samuel 28:11
    Then said the woman, Whom shall I bring up unto thee? And he said, Bring me up Samuel.

Answer key

  1. B. Ebenezer (1 Samuel 7:12)
  2. True (1 Samuel 3:19)
  3. B. Samuel (1 Samuel 1:20)
  4. B. The word of the Lord (1 Samuel 3:1)
  5. True (1 Samuel 28:12)
  6. True (1 Samuel 2:26)
  7. D. His father's lost donkeys (1 Samuel 9:3)
  8. A. A little robe (1 Samuel 2:19)
  9. B. He saw the men scattering and was afraid (1 Samuel 13:11-12)
  10. D. Sacrifice (1 Samuel 15:22)
  11. D. An animal horn (1 Samuel 16:1)
  12. D. The Philistines were fighting him and God had departed from him (1 Samuel 28:15)
  13. D. Olive oil (1 Samuel 10:1)
  14. D. At his home in Ramah (1 Samuel 25:1)
  15. D. The Lord does not look at the things people look at; the Lord looks at the heart (1 Samuel 16:7)
  16. True (1 Samuel 13:13)
  17. A. Baals and Ashtoreths (1 Samuel 7:3)
  18. True (1 Samuel 8:7)
  19. D. A quarter shekel of silver (1 Samuel 9:7-8)
  20. A. Tomorrow you and your sons will be with me (dead) (1 Samuel 28:19)
  21. C. Ephraim (1 Samuel 1:1)
  22. A. He offered the burnt offering himself (1 Samuel 13:9)
  23. D. Ramah (1 Samuel 7:17)
  24. B. The Amalekites (1 Samuel 28:18)
  25. B. To be like all the other nations (1 Samuel 8:5)
  26. B. As a source of great shame, sorrow, and sometimes divine disfavor (1 Samuel 1:5-11)
  27. C. Accepted bribes and perverted justice (1 Samuel 8:3)
  28. True (1 Samuel 15:11)
  29. B. He fell full length on the ground, terrified and weak (1 Samuel 28:20)
  30. D. Mizpah (1 Samuel 7:5-6)
  31. C. Praying for them (1 Samuel 12:23)
  32. True (1 Samuel 15:35)
  33. B. Speak, for your servant is listening (1 Samuel 3:10)
  34. C. A suckling lamb (1 Samuel 7:9)
  35. B. The Lord has torn the kingdom from your hands and given it to David (1 Samuel 28:17)
  36. D. Samuel (1 Samuel 19:18)
  37. B. Three bulls, flour, and wine (1 Samuel 1:24)
  38. B. Eli (1 Samuel 3:4-5)
  39. B. He hewed him in pieces (1 Samuel 15:33)
  40. B. It would not endure (1 Samuel 13:14)
  41. B. It tore (1 Samuel 15:27)
  42. D. Thunder and rain (1 Samuel 12:17)
  43. B. Bethel, Gilgal, and Mizpah (1 Samuel 7:16)
  44. D. An old man wrapped in a robe (1 Samuel 28:14)
  45. B. Samuel (1 Samuel 28:11)
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Who was Samuel?

Samuel was a prophet and the last of Israel's judges. His mother Hannah had prayed for a son and promised to give him to the Lord (1 Samuel 1:11). When he was weaned, she brought him to Eli the priest at Shiloh. One night, as a boy, Samuel heard the Lord calling his name and answered, "Speak; for thy servant heareth" (1 Samuel 3:10).

As Samuel grew, all Israel knew that he was a prophet of the Lord. He judged Israel all the days of his life and set up a stone called Ebenezer after a victory over the Philistines (1 Samuel 7:12). When the people asked for a king, he anointed Saul (1 Samuel 10:1). After Saul disobeyed, Samuel told him that to obey is better than sacrifice (1 Samuel 15:22), and later he anointed young David at Bethlehem (1 Samuel 16:13).

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