(15) And Samuel judged Israel all the days of his life. (16) And he went from year to year in circuit to Bethel, and Gilgal, and Mizpeh, and judged Israel in all those places. (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.
This account of Samuel's administration is but short, but it is highly honorable. His annual circuit for the looking into things himself, shows his great vigilance; and the altar he built unto the Lord, proves his gracious intercourse with Heaven. No doubt, as Samuel was a child of prayer, his manhood was eminently distinguished by a life of prayer, and that his great influence and authority arose from the intimate communion and fellowship he had with God. The Holy Ghost hath ranked him among the worthies of faith, and given us thereby authority to say, that it was through faith that he subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, and obtained promises. Hebrews 11:32-33.