How did Samuel become known as a prophet in Israel?

According to the biblical account in the First Book of Samuel, Samuel’s reputation as a prophet grew following a divine revelation he received while serving at the sanctuary of Shiloh as a youth.1

After being dedicated to the service of Yahweh by his mother, Hannah, Samuel was trained by the priest Eli. During a night at the shrine, Samuel heard a voice calling his name; upon responding, he received a divine oracle predicting the fall of the house of Eli due to the corruption of Eli's sons. His willingness to relay this difficult message to Eli marked a pivotal moment in his religious life, after which his standing as a prophet of Yahweh became established.21

It is important to note that critical historians often view the narrative of Samuel’s birth and vocation as legendary, noting that the role of a "prophet" as a distinct religious figure may not have fully emerged in Israel at that early date.2