1) (fl. llth cent BCE)
Israelite prophet and judge. He was consecrated as a Nazirite by his mother before his birth, and served in the Sanctuary at Shiloh. There he foretold the destruction of the House of Eli. After the death of Eli and his sons, and the defeat of the Israelites by the Philistines, Samuel attempted to restore traditional religious worship. He lived at Ramah and judged the Israelites in Bethel, Gilgal and Mizpah. Later he acceded to the Israelites' demand for a king and selected Saul. When Saul lost favour with God, Samuel was sent to Bethlehem, where at God's behest he anointed David as Saul's successor (I Samuel 1-16).
2) (Mar Samuel) (fl. 1st-2nd cent)
Baby-lonian amora. He was born at Nehardea, and became head of the academy there. He was acknowledged the outstanding authority on civil law; his debates with Rav about halakhic problems are recorded in the Talmud. He was also an expert astronomer, whose opinion on questions concerning the Hebrew calendar was often sought. He was on friendly terms with King Sapor I of Persia.
Dictionary of Jewish Biography. Dan Cohn-Sherbok.