Was Samuel a priest?

It seems to be a popular idea that Samuel was priest, or even the high priest. But was he?

Scripture describes Samuel as a “Seer” or “Prophet” and a “judge” – but never specifically as a priest (1 Samuel 3:20; 1 Samuel 7:6; 1 Samuel 7:15; 1 Samuel 9:18-19). If so I have not found it, though some of his actions might be considered priestly functions. To be a priest Samuel must have been a Levite, and to be high priest he must have been a descendant of Aaron. The former may be understood from Scripture, but not the latter.[i]

Though there are some differences in the spellings/names in 1 Samuel 1:1-2 and 1 Chronicles 6:16-30, it is observable that these are the family of the same Samuel in both places. A simple explanation of how Elkanah was both a Kohathite and of mount Ephraim is this – Kohathite describes his lineage/parentage and of mount Ephraim describes where he lived in the country of Israel.[ii] The Levites had no portion of land of their own, only cities and land within the land of the other tribes, which included Ephraim (see Joshua 21).[iii] Samuel was in the lineage of the priests, but not in the lineage of Aaron the high priest.

In the days of Samuel, God pronounced judgment against the house of Eli (1 Samuel 2:34-35). Complete judgement seems to have arrived in stages. See, for example, 1 Samuel 22:17-19, 1 Samuel 23:6, and compare with 1 Samuel 21:1 & 1 Kings 2:26-27. 1 Samuel 14:2-3, 18-19 suggests that Eli’s descendants (specifically Ahiah) were still operating in the priesthood at that time, even before the death of Samuel:

And Saul tarried in the uttermost part of Gibeah under a pomegranate tree which is in Migron: and the people that were with him were about six hundred men; and Ahiah, the son of Ahitub, I‑chabod’s brother, the son of Phinehas, the son of Eli, the Lord’s priest in Shiloh, wearing an ephod....

And Saul said unto Ahiah, Bring hither the ark of God. For the ark of God was at that time with the children of Israel. And it came to pass, while Saul talked unto the priest, that the noise that was in the host of the Philistines went on and increased: and Saul said unto the priest, Withdraw thine hand.

Psalm 99:6 also seems to distinguish Samuel from Moses and Aaron. I think that Samuel was a priest, but not a high priest.

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[i] Some people think that since Eli brought him up, Samuel could be considered a son of Eli, by adoption of sorts.
[ii] An “Ephrathite” may possibly only refer to Elkanah’s ancestor Zuph, meaning that Zuph (a Levite) originally lived in Bethlehem of Ephrata
[iii] In Judges 17:7 a Levite is described, in a way, by the tribe within which he resided.

Jesus, Our High Priest

Jesus is our High Priest.
Hebrews 3:1 Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus;

Jesus is not our High Priest according to the law of Moses.
Hebrews 7:14 For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood.
Hebrews 8:4 For if he were on earth, he should not be a priest, seeing that there are priests that offer gifts according to the law:

Jesus is our High Priest through a miraculous incarnation. He identifies with his people and makes reconciliation for their sins.
Hebrews 2:17 Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.
triumphant resurrection
Hebrews 4:14-15 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

Jesus is our High Priest by a divine calling. He did not take it on himself, but was called of God.
Hebrews 5:4-6 And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron. So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, to day have I begotten thee. As he saith also in another place, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.
Hebrews 5:10 called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec.

Jesus is our High Priest after the order of Melchisedec. Melchidsedec’s priesthood preceded the law and Levi.
Hebrews 5:6 As he saith also in another place, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.
Hebrews 6:20 whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.
Hebrews 7:15-16 And it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of Melchisedec there ariseth another priest, who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life.

Jesus is our High Priest by a perpetual oath. It is founded on the oath of God, “The Lord sware and will not repent.”
Hebrews 7:20-21 And inasmuch as not without an oath he was made priest: (for those priests were made without an oath; but this with an oath by him that said unto him, The Lord sware and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec:)
Hebrews 7:28 For the law maketh men high priests which have infirmity; but the word of the oath, which was since the law, maketh the Son, who is consecrated for evermore.

Jesus is our High Priest through an everlasting life. His life is endless, no beginning or end, so his priesthood has no end.
Hebrews 7:24-27 but this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood. Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens; who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people’s: for this he did once, when he offered up himself.
Hebrews 7:15-16 And it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of Melchisedec there ariseth another priest, who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life.

We have an High Priest. His name is Jesus.
Hebrews 8:1 Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens;

Jesus, our great High Priest,

Has satisfaction made;

Ye weary spirits, rest;

Ye mourning souls, be glad:

Charles Wesley

Our Melchizedecan Priest (Philpot)

“We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens; a minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man.” Hebrews 8:1- 2

Our blessed Lord was to be “a High Priest after the order of Melchizedec.” It will be remembered that Melchizedec met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him (Gen. 14:19). In the same way our great High Priest blesses the seed of Abraham; for “they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham;” and as believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, they walk in his steps who “believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.”

But Melchizedec the type could only ask God to bless Abraham. He could not himself confer the blessing; but Jesus, the antitype, our great Melchizedec, whose priesthood is “after the power of an endless life,” blesses his people, not by merely asking God to bless them, but by himself showering down blessings upon them, and by communicating to them out of his own fulness every grace which can sanctify as well as save. Even before his incarnation, when he appeared in human form, as if anticipating in appearance that flesh and blood which he should afterwards assume in reality, he had power to bless.

Thus we read that when Jacob wrestled with the angel, which angel was no created angel, but the Angel of the covenant, even the Son of God himself in human shape, he said, “I will not let thee go except thou bless me.” And in answer to his wrestling cry we read that “he blessed him there.” Jacob knew that no created angel could bless him. He therefore said, when he had got the blessing, “I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved.” To this blessing Jacob afterwards referred when, in blessing Ephraim and Manasseh, he said, “The angel which redeemed me from all evil bless the lads.”

Thus, also, our gracious Lord, immediately before his ascension to heaven, as if in anticipation of the gifts and graces which he was to send down upon them when exalted to the right hand of the Father, “lifted up his hands and blessed his disciples;” and as if to shew that he would still ever continue to bless them, “he was parted from them and carried up into heaven,” even “while he blessed them,” as if he were blessing them all the way up to heaven, even before he took possession of his mediatorial throne (Luke 24:50, 51).

J. C. Philpot (1802-1869)

The Priesthood of Believers

A comment by Bart Barber on SBC Voices is instructive regarding the priesthood of believers versus the priesthood of the believer.

“Priesthood of THE believer” is utterly and entirely absent from the Bible. Every biblical reference to the priesthood of all believers is plural, not singular.
1 Peter 2:5 “you [plural…"y'all"] also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.”1 Peter 2:9 “But you [plural…"y'all"] are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.”Revelation 5:10 “You have made them [the believers, in plural, considered collectively] to be a kingdom and priests to our God.”

As Bart notes, the priesthood of THE believer has been used to support not being accountable to other believers, having a right of private interpretation of scripture which cannot be challenged, and there being no authority in the church. Moderate to liberal Baptists have used this as a sword to assault biblical inerrancy.

The kingdom and priesthood of Christ.

PSALM 110 PART 2
L. M.

Thus the great Lord of earth and sea
Spake to his Son, and thus he swore:
"Eternal shall thy priesthood be,
And change from hand to hand no more.

"Aaron and all his sons must die;
But everlasting life is thine,
To save for ever those that fly
For refuge from the wrath divine.

"By me Melchizedek was made
On earth a king and priest at once;
And thou, my heav'nly Priest, shalt plead,
And thou, my King, shalt rule my sons.

Jesus the Priest ascends his throne,
While counsels of eternal peace,
Between the Father and the Son,
Proceed with honor and success.

Through the whole earth his reign shall spread,
And crush the powers that dare rebel;
Then shall he judge the rising dead,
And send the guilty world to hell.

Though while he treads his glorious way,
He drinks the cup of tears and blood,
The suff'rings of that dreadful day
Shall but advance him near to God.

Isaac Watts (1674-1748)
The Psalms of David, 1719