'THE STORY OF SAMUEL' |
Samuel was devoted to God by his mother, Hannah, as part of a pledge she made before he was born. Samuel's name means "heard of God" (1 Samuel 1:11). Hannah had been childless for a long time and prayed so earnestly for a child that Eli, the priest, mistook her for intoxicated (1 Samuel 1). Hannah kept her pledge and dedicated Samuel to the Lord after God granted her desire. Samuel was brought to the tabernacle after he was weaned, probably at the age of four, to serve under Eli the priest (1 Samuel 1:22–25). Samuel was given his own tunic as a youngster, a garment generally reserved for priests, while he ministered before the Lord in Shiloh's tent of meeting, where the ark of the covenant was stored (See 1 Samuel 2:18 and 3:3). Normally, the priest's sons would take on their father's ministry; but, Eli's sons, Hophni and Phinehas, were wicked in that they were immoral and despised the Lord's offering (1 Samuel 2:17, 22). Samuel, on the other hand, continued to increase in stature and favor with the Lord and men (1 Samuel 2:26).
'GOD CALLS SAMUEL' |
Samuel heard what he thought was Eli calling him in the middle of the night during a time when prophecies and visions were uncommon. Even though Samuel was serving in the tabernacle, he didn't know the Lord, and the Lord's message had yet to be revealed to him (1 Samuel 3:7). The boy responded to Eli the first three times the Lord called Samuel. When Eli saw what was going on, he told Samuel to reply to the Lord if he called again. "The LORD came and stood there, as he had done before, shouting out, 'Samuel! Samuel!'
'Speak, for your servant is listening,' Samuel said. (Samuel 3:10; 1 Samuel 3:10) He was sent a message of judgment from God to deliver to Eli. Samuel took his first leap of faith the next day, telling Eli everything, although the news was bad for Eli and his family (1 Samuel 3:11–18). Eli accepted the situation. Samuel's reputation as a prophet grew throughout Israel, and God continued to speak to His people through him (1 Samuel 3:20–21).
The Philistines, Israel's long-time foes, assaulted God's people. The conflict claimed the lives of Eli's sons, and the ark of the covenant was captured and transported to Philistia. Eli died as well after learning of his sons' deaths. The Philistines restored the ark to Israel after many months, and it remained at Kiriath Jearim for over twenty years. As the Israelites cried out to God for help against the oppressors from the Philistines, Samuel told them to get rid of the false gods they had been worshipping. The Philistines were defeated under Samuel's leadership and by God's power, and there was a period of peace between them (1 Samuel 7:9–13). Samuel was appointed as Israel's chief judge.
Samuel's two sons, Joel and Abijah, sinned before God by seeking dishonest wealth and perverting justice, much like Eli's sons. Samuel had chosen his sons as judges, but the elders of Israel told Samuel that he was too old to lead and that his sons did not follow in his footsteps (1 Samuel 8:1–5). Samuel's immediate reaction to their request was one of profound dissatisfaction, and he prayed to God about it. Samuel was told by God that they had not rejected him, but rather God as their king. God gave Samuel permission to grant their request, but he cautioned the people about the responsibilities of a monarch (1 Samuel 8:6–21).
Samuel eventually anointed Saul, a Benjamite, as Israel's first king (1 Samuel 10:1). Nonetheless, Samuel prayed to God for a sign to demonstrate to the Israelites the folly of replacing their rightful monarch, God, with an earthly king (1 Samuel 12:16–18). After some time, Samuel discovered that God had rejected Saul as the leader of His people due to his disobedience (1 Samuel 13:11–13). Samuel told Saul right away that God had already found a substitute for him (1 Samuel 13:14). Samuel denounced Saul as king because he continued to disobey (1 Samuel 15:26). Samuel returned home, never to see King Saul again, yet he lamented his death (1 Samuel 15:35). Samuel was directed by God to choose another king from Jesse's line (1 Samuel 16:1), and Samuel anointed Jesse's youngest son, David (1 Samuel 16:13). However, Samuel died before David was crowned king, and "all Israel gathered and mourned for him" (1 Samuel 25:1).
Samuel's life was crucial in Israel's history. He was a prophet who anointed Israel's first two kings, and he was the last of Israel's judges, often regarded as the greatest judge (Acts 13:20). Samuel is included alongside Moses and Aaron as men who asked God for help and received it (Psalm 99:6). When the Israelites disobeyed God later in their history, the Lord stated that they were beyond the defense of Moses and Samuel, two of Israel's greatest intercessors (Jeremiah 15:1). This demonstrates the strength of Samuel's prayers—as well as the depth of Israel's wickedness in Jeremiah's day.
There is a lot to learn from Samuel's life. We can witness God's sovereignty in Israel, regardless of who the people choose to rule over them. We may allow other things or people to sit on the throne of our hearts, but God will always be sovereign and will never allow usurpers to usurp His sovereignty in His subjects' lives.
We can only imagine how difficult it would have been for Samuel to tell Eli the truth about his first vision. Samuel's full commitment appears to have been to God first, even from a young age. Although we may feel intimidated by persons in positions of authority at times, God must remain our top priority, as Samuel demonstrated numerous times. When we remain consistent in our beliefs, the world may be cynical. Those who have remained faithful to God's Word, on the other hand, can be confident that God will vindicate them (Psalm 135:14).
Though Samuel had strong qualms about giving the people a king, he sought God's advice and followed His instructions (1 Samuel 8:6–7). Many of us consult God while making major life decisions, but how many of us are willing to accept and follow His advice, especially when it appears to contradict our own desires? Samuel's example of the power he got from his strong relationship with God, which was fueled by a healthy prayer life, can be learned by leaders in particular. Samuel was a powerful prayer warrior, and his people admired him for it (1 Samuel 12:19, 23). Although Samuel was aware of Saul's depravity, he never stopped praying and mourning for him. Indeed, Samuel considered it a sin not to pray for the people entrusted to him. When we watch a brother fall into sin, we may judge him beyond redemption far too early. God's plans for each individual will undoubtedly come to pass, but that should never stop us from praying for and caring for those who are weaker in faith (Romans 15:1; 1 Thessalonians 5:14).
Samuel's fundamental topic throughout his life is that all glory and honor should be given to God alone. Samuel must have been devastated to realize that his sons were unsuitable to lead after making them, judges. Nothing was uttered in support of his sons when he consulted God regarding the people's clamor for a monarch. Samuel followed God's instructions and gave the people exactly what they wanted.
“But Samuel replied: ‘Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the Lord?'” says an important verse from Samuel's life. Obeyance is preferable to sacrifice, and heeding is preferable to ram fat.' 1 Samuel 15:22; 1 Samuel 15:23; 1 Samuel 15:24; 1 God's Word must always take precedence in our lives.