Charles Ellicott Commentary 1 Samuel 3:20

"And all Israel from Dan even to Beer-sheba knew that Samuel was established to be a prophet of Jehovah." — 1 Samuel 3:20 (ASV)

A prophet of the Lord. —Then from the northern to the southern cities of the land the fame of the young friend of the Eternal was established. The minds of all the people were thus gradually prepared when the right moment came to acknowledge Samuel as a God-sent chieftain. On this rapid and universal acknowledgment of the young prophet it has been observed, "that the people, in spite of their disruption, yet formed religiously a unit."