משה ואהרן בכהניו ושמואל בקראי שמו
Moshe v’Aharon b’Kohanav u’Shmuel b’korei Shemo.
Moshe and Aharon were among the Priests and Shmuel among those who invoke His Name.
On the surface, b’korei Shemo refers to those who pray to Hashem and petition His Divine assistance. The Gaon, zl, and the Chida, zl, explain that this specifically refers to those who were named Shmuel. Aggada Shmuel Rabbosi (3) relates that, during the period of one year, a bas kol, Heavenly voice, went out and declared that a righteous soul is about to enter the world. His name will be Shmuel. As a result, all mothers who gave birth to male infants named their sons Shmuel. Obviously, it takes more than a name to earn the appellation implied by the name Shmuel – shemo Keil – his name is G-d. Finally, when Shmuel HaNavi was born, it was evident from his demeanor that he was, indeed, an extraordinary child, truly worthy of carrying the name Shmuel. The other boys who were named Shmuel were korei shemo – called by his (Shmuel’s name). They became the prophet’s students and became known as the Bnei Ha’Neviim, sons of the prophets, apprentice prophets.
