The Faith and Obedience of Samuel

The author of the book of Hebrews outlined the necessity of faith in what has come to be known as the “hall of faith”. In Hebrews 11:6, it says, “… without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” After mentioning the faith of Old Testament persons such as Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses and Rahab, the author then writes the following:

• “How much more do I need to say? It would take too long to recount the stories of the faith of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and all the prophets. By faith these people overthrew kingdoms, ruled with justice, and received what God had promised them. They shut the mouths of lions, quenched the flames of fire, and escaped death by the edge of the sword. Their weakness was turned to strength. They became strong in battle and put whole armies to flight. ” (Hebrews 11:32-34 NLT)

I love that Samuel (the Prophet and last Judge of Israel, 1070 – 1024/20 B.C.) was included in this New Testament list of stewards of God-pleasing faith. Samuel was not a physical warrior or a reigning king with fame and riches. Still, his God-given influence impacted the lives of hundreds of thousands (probably over one million since Israel’s military might at that time was 330,000 men). God’s purpose for Samuel’s life was to remain resolute in obedience to what God directed him to say and do, regardless of the pressures of the culture and the decisions of their king. The key to his steadfast faith was prayer.

Friends, aren’t all believers called to faithfully follow our Lord, regardless of the circumstances?

Let’s examine the life of Samuel, who was “called” for a significant purpose (which was part of God’s redemptive plan to send the Saviour) before he discerned the voice of God.

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Study Notes Outline:

Study Segment	Observed Lesson
1. Background – Historical Setting	There is a Bigger Picture
2. Samuel’s Birth was a Result of Prayer (God Heard)	God’s ‘Foreknowledge’ & ‘Will’ Includes Your Prayers
3. God Foreordained Samuel’s Lineage	God Arranges the Details
4. Samuel Transitioned His People to a New Stage in God’s Plan	God Has a Purpose for Our Trials
5. Samuel Led a Revival of Remembrance and is Remembered for His Prayers	1. God Desires His People to Remember His Goodness 2. God Will Remember Your Faithfulness 3. God Has Set a Date for the New Beginning He has seen

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Segment 1: Background – Historical Setting

Looking back at macro events that shaped the era when Samuel lived (intentionally by-passing Adam and Eve, Noah, Abraham and Isaac), records indicate that:

• The children of Israel went to Egypt with their father Jacob in 1876 B.C., where they prospered for 30 years under the rulership of Joseph (Jacob’s twelfth son, firstborn of Rachel, older brother of Benjamin, ruler of Egypt as Pharaoh’s direct report). While there were other civilizations, Egypt was the first known kingdom (established around 3100 B.C.). Joseph had two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim, born in Egypt (Genesis 41:38-57).
• After Joseph died, the descendants of Jacob/Israel grew numerous. A new Pharaoh was in power, and Joseph’s contributions and blessings were meaningless to him, so he enslaved Jacob’s descendants Exodus 1. This was foretold to Abraham before the births of Isaac and Jacob (Genesis 15:13).
• God arranged for Moses (a descendant of Levi, Jacob’s third child) to be raised in the house of Pharaoh. Moses was called to lead the children of Israel out of Egypt, which occurred in 1446 B.C. The Passover was instituted the night before the Exodus (Exodus 12). Soon after their exodus, the Lord instructed Moses to institute the Levitical Priesthood under Aaron (Exodus 28:1, Exodus 29:1, 9, 44, Exodus 30:3).
• After 40 years of wilderness wanderings because of unbelief and disobedience, Moses died, and Joshua led the tribes of Israel across the Jordan into the promised land in 1406 B.C. (Joshua 3 – 5). Before Moses died, he foretold that the children of Israel would become a kingdom, and he gave them the rules for the king (Deuteronomy 17:14-20).
• After Joshua died, the children of Israel adopted the ways of the other nations, including the worship of their ‘gods’. Although there were priests, God appointed judges to lead the people in the ways of the LORD. Whenever a judge died, the people reverted to idolatry and wickedness (Judges 2:8-23), and the Lord allowed them to suffer the consequences of their unfaithfulness. The Lord guided the children of Israel using the judges He chose from approximately 1375 – 1020 B.C.
• Eli served as priest from 1100 – 1060 B.C. in Shiloh (the name means to be at rest). The first mention of Shiloh in the Bible is Genesis 49:10. In this case, Shiloh is a prophetic epithet of the Messiah from Judah out of the mouth of Jacob (in this mention, the word means ” he whose it is“. Shiloh was a city in Ephraim and the temporary home of the Ark of the Covenant and the Tabernacle during the period of the Judges before Jerusalem was established as the religious capital.
• By 1090 B.C., the Philistines had oppressed the children of Israel. Then Samson was born around 1075, destined to be a judge and set apart as a Nazarite (Judges 13, Numbers 6). He died around 1050 B.C. and is the last judge named in the book of Judges.
• Boaz and Ruth met and married in the time of the Judges and when “there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes.” (Judges 21:25). Boaz was a type of Jesus (Jesus is our Kinsman Redeemer who is betrothed to His bride from every nation and tongue). Jesus is a descendant of Boaz and Ruth’s union.
• Samuel was born in 1070 B.C. and died in 1011 B.C. He judged and prophesied from 1060 -1020 B.C. Samuel anointed two Kings: (1) Saul, 1051 B.C. and (2) David, 1011 B.C. Note: David was anointed years before becoming King.)
• Elsewhere in the world, during Eli and Samuel’s era, Tiglath-Pileser I ruled Assyria (1114-1076 B.C.), and the Mayan dynasties were founded in Central America (1000 B.C. ).

(Acknowledgment: Some records provide different dates, but the same sequence of events)

From the creation of time, God had a plan to redeem His creation that had fallen into darkness. He had planned to bring those from every nation who would listen, believe, and obey into a new creation full of love, joy, truth, and an eternity with Him in the light! When He called Abraham out of the nations (to set him apart and create a new nation), the Lord said to Abraham:

• I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name great; and you shall be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you; and in you ALL THE FAMILIES OF THE EARTH shall be blessed.” (Genesis 12:2-3)

As time continued from the patriarchs, to the priesthood, to the addition of the judges, then to the kings and prophets, the fulfillment of the plan began to materialize (like the design of an intricately woven fabric being revealed as it is unfolded and spread out across a table). The prophet Isaiah was given this word for Israel concerning the salvation of all people groups through the coming Elect Messiah:

• “Behold! My Servant whom I uphold, My Elect One in whom My soul delights! I have put My Spirit upon Him; He will bring forth justice to the Gentiles. He will not cry out, nor raise His voice, Nor cause His voice to be heard in the street. A bruised reed He will not break, And smoking flax He will not quench; He will bring forth justice for truth. He will not fail nor be discouraged, Till He has established justice in the earth; And the coastlands shall wait for His law.” Thus says God the LORD, Who created the heavens and stretched them out, Who spread forth the earth and that which comes from it, Who gives breath to the people on it, And spirit to those who walk on it: “I, the LORD, have called You in righteousness, And will hold Your hand; I will keep You and give You as a covenant to the people, As a light to the Gentiles, To open blind eyes, To bring out prisoners from the prison, Those who sit in darkness from the prison house. I am the LORD, that is My name; And My glory I will not give to another, Nor My praise to carved images. Behold, the former things have come to pass, and new things I declare; Before they spring forth I tell you of them.” (Isaiah 42:1-9)

• “And now the LORD says, Who formed Me from the womb to be His Servant, To bring Jacob back to Him, So that Israel is gathered to Him (For I shall be glorious in the eyes of the LORD, And My God shall be My strength), Indeed He says, ‘It is too small a thing that You should be My Servant To raise up the tribes of Jacob, And to restore the preserved ones of Israel; I will also give You as a light to the Gentiles, That You should be My salvation to the ends of the earth.’ ” Thus says the LORD, The Redeemer of Israel, their Holy One, To Him whom man despises, To Him whom the nation abhors, To the Servant of rulers: “Kings shall see and arise, Princes also shall worship, Because of the LORD who is faithful, The Holy One of Israel; And He has chosen You.” (Isaiah 49:5-7).

John the Baptist said about this Messiah, the Christ:

• That was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. (John 1:9-13)

Jesus said:

• “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. “Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. “(Matthew 5:14-16)

From the beginning, throughout all of time, and until the end of time, the grand narrative people have been living out:

1. was authored by God, and
2. has been about God’s desire to reconcile humanity to Himself through Christ’s payment of sin for us because of His grace.

Faith is His only righteous requirement for granting a full pardon from the penalty of sin. His grace births faith and transforms us through His love and goodness into followers of His righteous ways. Jesus explained it this way:

• For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. (John 3:16-18 NIV)

It is as simple as that. Without Him, the human heart cannot receive the light because the darkened heart prefers evil, not the light. And, if you believe in Christ, His Holy Spirit will indwell and transform your spirit to be like His.

• And the judgment is based on this fact: God’s light came into the world, but people loved the darkness more than the light, for their actions were evil. All who do evil hate the light and refuse to go near it for fear their sins will be exposed. But those who do what is right come to the light so others can see that they are doing what God wants.” (John 3:19-21 NLT)

As we move into the story of Samuel, we understand that the light of the LORD’s word was rare before Samuel was called; there was no widespread revelation. (Refer to 1 Samuel 3:1). That seems to mirror the situation in the world today. Our LORD is omnipresent and has not gone away, nor has His word. Yet, His revelation is not as commonly understood and received as in other times. Let’s reflect on God’s calling of an individual. Reflect on the impact of obedience and disobedience in the account of Samuel’s life.

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Segment 2: Samuel’s Birth was a Result of Prayer (God Heard)

Please read 1 Samuel 1.

Have you ever heard the question, “If God is sovereign over all, why pray”? I have. Many people who have a strong belief in the omniscience and sovereignty of the LORD sometimes have difficulty praying for the unlikely. I’d like to propose three essential aspects of God’s will:

1. God has an absolute “will“ that He fulfills, never violating His character, and always in His timing. (Ephesians 1:11; Psalms 115:3; Psalms 135:6; Isaiah 46:10).
2. God has a general permissive will that falls within His absolute will. This “will” grants permission (or makes allowable) for human requests that do not violate His absolute will. (Luke 11:9-13; 1 John 5:14; James 1:5; James 4:2-3).
3. God’s sovereignty does not predestinate every detail; instead, He elects to provide human choice and responsibility. He foreknows everything and can (and often does) use human failures to fulfill His plan.

Hannah Attributes Samuel’s Birth to God’s Response to Her Prayer

Let’s examine Hannah’s situation and then her prayer.

Hannah was married to a Levite man named Elkanah, an Ephraimite, but she was not Elkanah’s only wife. The other wife’s name was Peninnah. Hannah was unintentionally childless while Peninnah had children.

Now, year after year, Elkana and his wives would go to the Tabernacle to fulfill the Jewish requirements for worship and sacrifice. During these trips, Peninnah would taunt and ridicule Hannah as they journeyed (1 Samuel 1:4-7). Despite Elkana’s expressions of love and preference for Hannah, she remained without offspring while Peninnah had sons and daughters from Elkana. One could only assume that Peninnah resented Elkanah’s preference for Hannah as the reason for her insulting and contemptuous behaviour towards Hannah.

Since both women believed in the sovereignty of God in giving life, Hannah’s situation could have been wrongly viewed as God’s discipline or a lack of favour. This reminds me of Jacob’s wives’ situation (one liked but not necessarily desired; and the other desired but without children for some time, Genesis 29:11-31; Genesis 30:22-24, Genesis 35:24).

Hannah did not grumble or blame God; instead, she expressed the truth concerning her heartfelt longings and emotions to the LORD of hosts. In 1 Samuel 1:11, Hannah referred to her “defender” when she called God, the Lord of Hosts (or Jehovah‐tsebaoth – see Strong’s 6635: tsaba, which is also used in Joshua 5:13-15 ). Ancient Hebrews considered “Jehovah‐tsebaoth” to be the Leader and Commander of the armies of Israel’s tribes Who “went forth with them” to establish victory and rest (sabbath).

Let’s review Hannah’s first recorded prayer.

• And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed to the LORD and wept in anguish. Then she made a vow and said, “O LORD of hosts, if You will indeed look on the affliction of Your maidservant and remember me, and not forget Your maidservant, but will give Your maidservant a male child, then I will give him to the LORD all the days of his life, and no razor shall come upon his head.” (1 Samuel 1:10-11).

These two aspects of Hannah’s faith (humility and obedience) demonstrate that she actively trusted God to bring about a resolution (peace and blessing) in His timing and wisdom.

• ” ‘Do not go about spreading slander among your people. ” ‘Do not do anything that endangers your neighbour’s life. I am the LORD. ” ‘Do not hate a fellow Israelite in your heart. Rebuke your neighbour frankly so you will not share in their guilt. ” ‘Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbour as yourself. I am the LORD. (Leviticus 19:16-18 NIV)

How disciplined are you with controlling your thought-life? That’s where it starts, and this is where we must gain control. If it’s coming out of your mouth, it’s in your heart. Jesus said;

• … “The first of all the commandments is: ‘Hear, O Israel, the LORD our God, the LORD is one. ‘And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment. “And the second, like it, is this: ‘You shall love your neighbour as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” (Mark 12:29-31)

Here, I say that the body of Christ needs to be counter-cultural and resolve to exercise restraint in our thoughts and actions. It can be difficult, often painful, and it is Christ-like.

• He was oppressed and He was afflicted, Yet He opened not His mouth; He was led as a lamb to the slaughter, And as a sheep before its shearers is silent, So He opened not His mouth. (Isaiah 53:7)
• And while He was being accused by the chief priests and elders, He answered nothing. Then Pilate said to Him, “Do You not hear how many things they testify against You?” But He answered him not one word, so that the governor marvelled greatly. (Matthew 27:12-14)
• For this is commendable, if, because of conscience toward God, one endures grief, suffering wrongfully. For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God. For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: “Who committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth”; who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously; who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness; by whose stripes you were healed. For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls. (1 Peter 2:19-25)

Within the text (1 Samuel 1:10-11), Hannah specified she wanted a male child whom she would return to the Lord to serve under a Nazarite vow (Judges 13:3-7 and Numbers 6:1-5). Now, notice what Hannah promised:

• She promised not to lay a demand on her son “all the days of his life”.
  • Her son would be born a Levite, and the law stated that Levites would serve in the LORD in the Tabernacle from ages 25 – 50 (Numbers 8:14-26) and the Kohathite branch of the Levites from ages 30-50 (Numbers 4:2-3).
  • Hannah’s vow implied that she would willingly consecrate the promised child from his infancy to death. It also implied that Samuel would be taught the meaning of the vow and come to understand its value, especially since Elkanah and Hannah continued to visit the tabernacle where Samuel served (1 Samuel 2:19).

Some might ask why Hannah would pray for such a thing. Well, for one thing, if God provided Hannah with a male child, He would have ended the ongoing accusations of Peninnah. In addition, Hannah knew that God was a covenant-keeping God who blesses those who live out of devotion and obedience (Deuteronomy 7:12-13; Deuteronomy 28:1-4).

While no one should prescribe to God how He should reward (because He owes no one and always does what is righteous), believers can trust God’s character.

For Hannah, God rewarded her with additional children after Samuel was born (1 Samuel 2:21). So, why did God allow Hannah to endure this hardship for so many years?

In 1 Samuel 1:3, it states that when Elkanah, Hannah and Peninnah travelled to Shiloh to worship, the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, the priests of the LORD, were there also. In 1 Samuel 2:12, we learn that “the sons of Eli were corrupt; they did not know the LORD.”

The Lord was about to remove the corrupt priests and promote a righteous priest and judge who would be Hannah’s child.

The lesson here is that God’s foreknowledge & will include your prayers.

Hannah persisted in prayer for years, and when she gave birth to her son, she named him Samuel because she had “asked for him from the LORD.” (1 Samuel 1:20)

• The KJV translates Strong’s H8050 – Samuel = “his name is of God” (Shᵉmûwʼêl, sehm-oo-ale’; from the passive participle of H8085 and H410; heard of God).

As we better understand how God unfolded His plan, we will see that Hannah’s prayer was answered by the LORD’s provision of her son, who would be last of the judges, a distinguished prophet, a founder of the prophetic order, and the one the Lord would use to annoit the first two kings for the Jewish people.

Similarities in Praise and Thanksgiving

When God chose to conceive the God-Man in Mary, she rejoiced in God’s character, as did Hannah for the birth of her son.

I sometimes wonder whether we are busy delighting in the gift rather than pondering and rejoicing with adoration of the Giver.

Please consider the qualities and similarities of these prayers. We should remember that prayer is communion, conversation, and relationship keeping. It is not just a list of requests.

Notice that Hannah had a revelation that there would be a king while she was worshiping (when there was no king over Israel yet). So Hannah’s prayer was prophetic in many ways. Lord, may I learn to enjoy and celebrate you more!

Mary’s Prayer

Hannah’s Prayer

“My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Saviour. For He has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant; For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed. For He who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is His name. And His mercy is on those who fear Him from generation to generation. He has shown strength with His arm; He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He has put down the mighty from their thrones, and exalted the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich He has sent away empty. He has helped His servant Israel, in remembrance of His mercy, as He spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his seed forever.” (Luke 1:46-55)

“My heart rejoices in the LORD; My horn is exalted in the LORD. I smile at my enemies because I rejoice in Your salvation. “No one is holy like the LORD, For there is none besides You, Nor is there any rock like our God. “Talk no more so very proudly; Let no arrogance come from your mouth, for the LORD is the God of knowledge, and by Him actions are weighed. “The bows of the mighty men are broken, and those who stumbled are girded with strength. Those who were full have hired themselves out for bread, and the hungry have ceased to hunger. Even the barren has borne seven, and she who has many children has become feeble. “The LORD kills and makes alive; He brings down to the grave and brings up. The LORD makes poor and makes rich; He brings low and lifts up. He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the beggar from the ash heap, to set them among princes and make them inherit the throne of glory. “For the pillars of the earth are the LORD’s, And He has set the world upon them. He will guard the feet of His saints, but the wicked shall be silent in darkness. “For by strength no man shall prevail. The adversaries of the LORD shall be broken in pieces; From heaven He will thunder against them. The LORD will judge the ends of the earth. “He will give strength to His king, And exalt the horn of His anointed.” (1 Samuel 2:1-10)

You may come to different conclusions about the birth of Samuel. As for me, I hold the point of view outlined in the Scriptures. Samuel’s birth was a result of God’s sovereign timing and purposes, foreknowledge, faithfulness and grace coupled to His use of Hannah’s circumstances and prayers! What are you praying about?

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Segment 3: God Foreordained Samuel’s Lineage

Samuel’s Lineage

We know that Samuel’s father was Elkanah from Ramathaim-zophim, in the mountain region of Ephraim. While Samuel was from the tribe of Levi, his family would be called Ephrathites, much like a Levite born in Texas (America) would be called a Texan. Because he was a Levite, he could serve as a priest in the tabernacle.

• And all the people who were at the gate, and the elders, said, “We are witnesses. The LORD make the woman who is coming to your house like Rachel and Leah, the two who built the house of Israel; and may you prosper in Ephrathah and be famous in Bethlehem. “May your house be like the house of Perez, whom Tamar bore to Judah, because of the offspring which the LORD will give you from this young woman.” So Boaz took Ruth and she became his wife; and when he went in to her, the LORD gave her conception, and she bore a son. … Now this is the genealogy of Perez: Perez begot Hezron; Hezron begot Ram, and Ram begot Amminadab; Amminadab begot Nahshon, and Nahshon begot Salmon; Salmon begot Boaz, and Boaz begot Obed; Obed begot Jesse, and Jesse begot David. (Ruth 4:11-13, 18-22)

Although the authorship of Ruth is not identified within its text, tradition suggests that Samuel was its writer.

We have the privilege of looking back through the Holy Bible to understand how God increasingly revealed the coming of His chosen Messiah, the Christ, the Son of David, the Son of Man, the Son of God, Jesus, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit in the virgin Mary. Of Christ’s birthplace, role, lineage and Person, it was prophetically written:

• Now David was the son of that Ephrathite of Bethlehem Judah, whose name was Jesse, and who had eight sons. (1 Samuel 17:12a)

Micah prophesied the LORD’s words, saying:

• “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, Though you are little among the thousands of Judah, Yet out of you shall come forth to Me The One to be Ruler in Israel, Whose goings forth are from of old, From everlasting.” (Micah 5:2)

Isaiah prophesied, saying:

• For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace, there will be no end, upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, to order it and establish it with judgment and justice from that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this. (Isaiah 9:6-7)
• There shall come forth a Rod from the stem of Jesse, And a Branch shall grow out of his roots. The Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon Him, The Spirit of wisdom and understanding, The Spirit of counsel and might, The Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD. (Isaiah 11:1-2)

Matthew recorded the birth of Jesus, which includes Micah’s prophecy:

• Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.” When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. So they said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it is written by the prophet: ‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, Are not the least among the rulers of Judah; For out of you shall come a Ruler Who will shepherd My people Israel.’ ” (Matthew 2:1-6)

From these prophecies and historical facts, we can understand that God arranges all the details (people, places, circumstances and timing) needed to fulfill His purposes and plan. And it is His will to provide human beings with choices that fit within His plan.

How often do we move from a place of rest or trust in God’s promises to a place of self-reliance, secular wisdom, presumption or prideful stubbornness? How many times do we forget that God often used what others meant for evil to accomplish His good plan?

Oh dear Heavenly Father, forgive me for the times I have turned my eyes and heart away from you to merely focus on trials and temptation. Help me to rely on you. Please help me to keep an eternal focus and remind me that your word says:

• And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. … What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? (Romans 8:28, 31-32)
• For the LORD God is a sun and shield; The LORD will give grace and glory; No good thing will He withhold From those who walk uprightly. (Psalm 84:11)
• Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God. (1 Corinthians 2:12)
• “He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son. (Revelation 21:7)

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Segment 4: Samuel Transitioned His People to a New Stage in God’s Plan (from Judges to Kings)

So far, we have learned that God had sovereignly graced Hannah with Samuel (as an answer to her prayer) to be the solution or replacement for Eli’s corrupt sons (who would not be permitted to lead God’s people as High Priests). There is also a long-term strategic plan unfolding in the birth and life of Samuel. If you have the time, please read 1 Samuel, chapters 2 (from verse 12) through to all of 8.

Samuel was taken to the house of the Lord, and there “… Samuel ministered before the LORD, even as a child, wearing a linen ephod. … And the child Samuel grew in stature, and in favour both with the LORD and men.” (1 Samuel 2:18, 26). Then, another prophetic man of God visited Eli and prophesied the fate of his descendants and their disqualification from being Priests because they dishonoured the Lord through their despicable behaviour (Refer to 1 Samuel 2:27-36).

Samuel’s Commissioning, First Prophecy, and the Times of Restoration of All Things.

• And it came to pass at that time, while Eli was lying down in his place, and when his eyes had begun to grow so dim that he could not see, and before the lamp of God went out in the tabernacle of the LORD where the ark of God was, and while Samuel was lying down, that the LORD called Samuel. And he answered, “Here I am!” (1 Samuel 3:2-4)

The law had commanded that the Aaronic Priests from the tribe of Levi would tend the lamp from evening until morning continually as a statute forever. (Refer to Exodus 27:20-21).

• Now the LORD came and stood and called as at other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel answered, “Speak, for Your servant hears.” (1 Samuel 3:10)

Notice that the Lord not only called Samuel by name, but He also visited Samuel personally (stood where Samuel lay) and called to Samuel, mentioning his name twice. This was the commissioning of Samuel into a God ordered and appointed service that would be unique from others.

When Eli awoke, he asked Samuel what the Lord had told him. Samuel prophesied exactly what the Lord had told him without leaving out any details or softening the blow of the truth. The Lord said He would judge Eli’s house forever for the known iniquity that remained undisciplined. There was now no escape (atonement) for it; none of Eli’s descendants would live to see old age, and none of them would serve the Lord in the capacity Eli had been privileged with. (Refer to 1 Samuel 3:11-18)

There is a limit on the time God will put up with the disrespect of His gracious sacrifice and atonement. There are consequences for the unrepentant heart.

The wonderful news is: If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9)

• So Samuel grew, and the LORD was with him and let none of his words fall to the ground. And all Israel from Dan to Beersheba knew that Samuel had been established as a prophet of the LORD. Then the LORD appeared again in Shiloh. For the LORD revealed Himself to Samuel in Shiloh by the word of the LORD. (1 Samuel 3:19-21)

Peter taught us in his preaching in Solomon’s Portico that Samuel was the first prophet to reveal the end times, the restoration of all things. It is written:

• ” But those things which God foretold by the mouth of all His prophets, that the Christ would suffer, He has thus fulfilled. Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that He may send Jesus Christ, who was preached to you before, whom heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things, which God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began. For Moses truly said to the fathers, ‘The LORD your God will raise up for you a Prophet like me from your brethren. Him you shall hear in all things, whatever He says to you. ‘And it shall be that every soul who will not hear that Prophet shall be utterly destroyed from among the people.’ “Yes, and all the prophets, from Samuel and those who follow, as many as have spoken, have also foretold these days. (Acts 3:18-24)

As the Last Judge and the First in a Prophetic Office, Samuel Transitions the People of God into a Kingdom

Let’s consider some stages of Israel’s development. While the children of Israel were journeying in the desert, “...Moses chose able men out of all Israel, and made them heads over the people: rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens. So they judged the people at all times; the hard cases they brought to Moses, but they judged every small case themselves.” (Exodus 18:25-26).

Again, Moses’s instruction for Israel in the promised land was”

• “You shall appoint judges and officers in all your gates, which the LORD your God gives you, according to your tribes, and they shall judge the people with just judgment. “You shall not pervert justice; you shall not show partiality, nor take a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and twists the words of the righteous. “You shall follow what is altogether just, that you may live and inherit the land which the LORD your God is giving you. (Deuteronomy 16:18-20)

Within the book of Joshua, we find the historical account of Israel’s entry and partial settlement of the land promised to them by God. The Lord “raised up” judges from 1375 – 1050 B.C. from various tribes and regions of Israel, and they lived as a collection of related tribes but not as a nation with a single leader. And just as Moses had foretold in Deuteronomy 17:14-15, the people wanted a king to be like the surrounding nations, so Moses set out guiding principles for the king in advance.

Samuel then operated in the offices of (1) the Judge, (2) the Levite Priest, and (3) the Prophet. When Samuel had grown old, he appointed his sons as judges, but they corrupted the office. It is written:

• Now it came to pass when Samuel was old that he made his sons judges over Israel. … But his sons did not walk in his ways; they turned aside after dishonest gain, took bribes, and perverted justice. Then all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah, and said to him, “Look, you are old, and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now make us a king to judge us like all the nations.” But the thing displeased Samuel when they said, “Give us a king to judge us.” So Samuel prayed to the LORD. (1 Samuel 8:1, 3-6)

What are our first actions when we hear things that caution or displease us? Is it to pray? Samuel knew the Lord and had reverence for His choice. He understood His character and wanted to align with Him. Samuel prayed, and the Lord answered Him according to His will and foreknowledge.

• And the LORD said to Samuel, “Heed the voice of the people in all that they say to you; for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me, that I should not reign over them. “According to all the works which they have done since the day that I brought them up out of Egypt, even to this day with which they have forsaken Me and served other gods, so they are doing to you also. “Now therefore, heed their voice. However, you shall solemnly forewarn them, and show them the behavior of the king who will reign over them.” So Samuel told all the words of the LORD to the people who asked him for a king. (1 Samuel 8:7-10)

So God led Samuel to institute the monarchy by appointing King Saul, who was replaced by King David (who expanded the borders). After, King Solomon succeeded David (before the kingdom was divided).

The distinction here is that God was implementing a new era when kings would provide human government to guide the people of God (in place of the spoken word of the Lord through Priests and Judges). Samuel was the first Prophet to speak the word of the Lord to the Kings. The Kings had the Book of the Law, and the Prophets would hold the Kings accountable to it. They would also forewarn and proclaim God’s declarations. Samuel was also the first to establish mentorship for individuals with the prophetic gift.

Not much is said about the “company of the prophets”. Sometimes this group is known in modern vernacular as the school of the prophets. This group is mentioned in Scripture under the instruction of Samuel, Elijah, and Elisha as follows: 1 Samuel 19:18-24, 1 Kings 19:18, 2 Kings 2:5-7, 15-18, 2 Kings 4:38-44. We do know that Samuel was the leader providing spiritual guidance to them (1 Samuel 19:18-20). In the New Testament Gospels, there were prophets & prophetesses, but there is no clear statement made concerning this group existing in the time of Christ.

When I consider the calling on Samuel’s life in conjunction with his impact on history, I can see that God uses our trials to develop the character needed to fulfill His purpose and call. Many times, these trials teach us to agree that the Lord’s sovereign decisions are best despite the human difficulty experienced.

• Hannah was tried by having to endure persecution while remaining hopeful, prayerful and self-restrained from retaliation for Peninnah’s cruelty. Refer to 1 Samuel 1
• Samuel was raised without his parents’ daily expression of love and affirmation. He had to learn to be thankful, obedient, and fully comforted by the Lord. Refer to 1 Samuel 1:21-26, 1 Samuel 2:18-21, 26
• Samuel had to tell Eli, who mentored and raised him, about the Lord’s judgment that would come on Eli’s house. Refer to 1 Samuel 3:11-21
• Samuel was committed to praying for his people (1 Samuel 7:15-17), although they had rejected the Lord’s use of judges to speak to the people. The people wanted to have a king to rule over them like the nations around them. Refer to 1 Samuel 12.
• Having lived an obedient, devoted life, Samuel had to accept the choices of his sons (who did not follow the Lord) as well as the Lord’s choices concerning them and the people. Refer to 1 Samuel 8:1-7
• Samuel grieved over Saul’s failure to obey (1) the law’s written requirement for the Priest to offer the sacrifices, and (2) God’s verbal instruction.
  • Instead of following both the written law and Samuel’s direction, Saul spared Agag and saved everything that seemed good to him. Saul respected people and his position above God.
• Samuel anthropomorphically described the Lord’s rejection of Saul and disassociated himself from the disobedient Saul. Refer to 1 Samuel 13:1-14, 1 Samuel 15

The lesson for us here is that God has a purpose for our trials, whether we understand it or not. For the believer, every test is filtered through the hand of the Lord. So, trust the Lord knowing that obedience is better than sacrifice (repentance after disobedience). 1 Samuel 15:22-23

Lord, help me to love you more than the temporary things of this life and world. Help me to willingly choose obedience over repentance because of what You endured to redeem me. Help me to trust Your heart, Your goodness, and Your wisdom because Your purposes are best!

• He is despised and rejected by men, A Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. And we hid, as it were, our faces from Him; He was despised, and we did not esteem Him. … He shall see the labour of His soul, and be satisfied. By His knowledge, My righteous Servant shall justify many, For He shall bear their iniquities. (Isaiah 53:3, 11)
• who, in the days of His flesh, when He had offered up prayers and supplications, with vehement cries and tears to Him who was able to save Him from death, and was heard because of His godly fear, though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him, (Hebrews 5:7-9)

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Segment 5: Samuel Led a Revival of Remembrance and is Remembered for His Prayers

As we read the books of 1 and 2 Samuel, we see that they are focused more on the lives and times of Saul (the first king of Israel) and David (the second king of Israel). Both of these mighty men, who led victorious battles, are remembered for many things, but mostly:

• Saul is known for his failure to keep devotion to the Lord as preeminent, which led to self-centeredness; and,
• David is known for His love for the Lord despite his emotions, achievements and failures. David is recorded as having a heart that pursued the Lord and who would do the Lord’s will (Acts 13:21-22).

• Samuel led God’s erring people in one of the greatest Passover revivals recorded to the point that hundreds of years after Samuel’s death, it is remembered and compared to the one King Josiah celebrated (2 Chronicles 35:16-18)
• Samuel is named by the psalmist with Moses and Aaron as someone the Lord answered when they called upon His name. This ranks him highly (Psalms 99:6)

Over 400 years after Samuel’s life in 609 B.C. Jeremiah received a word from the Lord concerning the covenant people’s disloyalty and behaviour. The amplified version states Jeremiah 15:1 as follows:

• Then the LORD said to me, “Even though Moses and Samuel were to stand before Me interceding for them, My heart would still not be turned with favour toward this people Judah. Send them away from My presence and out of My sight and let them go! (Jeremiah 15:1 AMP)

This demonstrates that the Lord also honoured Samuel’s prayerful obedience and leadership. The Lord valued His relationship with Samuel. When a person communes with the Lord, the Lord may reveal things to them. In the Old Testament, the prophets (while not perfect and very human) received revelations for their times and the ages yet to come.

In the book of Acts, Peter explained that Samuel had a revelation about Christ’s suffering and the end of time when God restores all things. Truly amazing that God foretold all of these things thousands of years before He fulfilled them! These verses bear repeating.

• The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, the God of our fathers, glorified his servant Jesus, whom you delivered over and denied in the presence of Pilate, when he had decided to release him. But you denied the Holy and Righteous One, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, and you killed the Author of life, whom God raised from the dead. To this we are witnesses. And his name–by faith in his name–has made this man strong whom you see and know, and the faith that is through Jesus has given the man this perfect health in the presence of you all. “And now, brothers, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did also your rulers. But what God foretold by the mouth of all the prophets, that his Christ would suffer, he thus fulfilled. Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus, whom heaven must receive until the time for restoring all the things about which God spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets long ago. Moses said, ‘The Lord God will raise up for you a prophet like me from your brothers. You shall listen to him in whatever he tells you. And it shall be that every soul who does not listen to that prophet shall be destroyed from the people.‘ And all the prophets who have spoken, from Samuel and those who came after him, also proclaimed these days. (Acts 3:13-24 ESV)

Today, many are concerned with how people will remember them. They are concerned about leaving a legacy. Perhaps many political decisions are made from this perspective. We should all take a page from the recorded pages of Samuel’s life and be concerned about what God says about us.

When I consider the events that led up to Samuel’s birth and the things that followed, the following are lessons I need to hold firmly to when circumstances confront me (whether good or bad).

Lessons for Good Outcomes

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The Conclusion

Friends, we don’t truly know the impact and significance of our lives and the testimony we live out by prayerfully and obediently overcoming the trials that are permitted (and perhaps graced to have). We do know that the Lord has given us many examples in His Word of individuals from insignificant beginnings who, by following the Lord, made a difference for those around them. The Lord accomplishes His good plan for His glory and our good through people who have faith and live obediently!

Now let’s keep the light of God’s Word brightly lit in the temple of our hearts!

All Scripture in this blog is from the New King James Version unless otherwise specified.

If you have not placed your faith in Jesus Christ as your personal Redeemer and you sense a tugging at your heart, it’s probably the Holy Spirit beckoning you to meet Him, to see Christ for who He is (Saviour, Redeemer, Lord of all creation, eternal God, Son of God and the God-Man). You can use your own words to tell the LORD you believe and ask Him to fill your heart with the knowledge of Him and the power to choose freedom over sin.

I acknowledge that various resources have varying dates for some events. There is no end to study or books on this side of Heaven, and no blog of mine can be exhaustive. As it is written:

• And further, my son, be admonished by these. Of making many books, there is no end, and much study is wearisome to the flesh. Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is man’s all. For God will bring every work into judgment, including every secret thing, whether good or evil. (Ecclesiastes 12:12-14)