Question
Were the Kohanim ever non-Levites? Was Samuel a Kohen?
Answer
Before the Torah was given, the first-born served as priests; thus in those days each family had its own priest, who was not a Levite unless the family was from the tribe of Levi. After the Exodus, Aaron and his descendants were appointed as Kohanim (Num. 3:1-4); the other Levites took the place of the first-born and were given duties associated with the Tabernacle (see Num. 1:47-54; 3:5-13,44-51; 8:5-26). Since Aaron was a Levite, this means that the Kohanim ever since Aaron’s time have all been Levites. Samuel was dedicated to the Tabernacle by his mother (1 Sam., Ch.1), but he wasn’t a priest (and wasn’t a descendant of Aaron).