1 Samuel 1 – 10

More than the leaders, kings and priests, Samuel will impact the people of Israel for the next chapter in her history. In reality, it has nothing to do with his demeanor, charisma, ability, passion or station in life. Samuel will impact the children of Israel during the transition from Judges to Kings because God chose to speak through him.

Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets…

Hebrews 1:1

Samuel was not the first prophet to the children of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and he would not be the last. He was not THE prophet Moses foretold (that, of course, would be Jesus) nor was he to be THE forerunner of the Christ (that, of course, would be John). The timing was crucial as the priests were veering astray, the people were following their own inclinations and Yahweh sensed the need to speak His will and try to guide the people back to where He wanted them to be. The Law given through Moses should have been sufficient, but people then like people now find it very easy to ignore the written word.

Hannah was a godly woman passionately wanting a child. This passion drove her understand that children are a gift from God and if He would grant her that gift, she would “sacrifice” the child to His service. Contrast that with the sons of the Priest, Eli. They had the bloodline, direct descendants of Levi through Aaron. In order to be priests, they had been trained and consecrated. Still, they were “worthless fellows” (some translations have ‘sons of Belial’ which means the same thing). They knew the “priest stuff”, but they did not KNOW Yahweh. Hannah knew Yahweh.

Samuel would come to know Yahweh, as well. Israel would come to know Samuel. As it says, Yahweh did not allow any of Samuel’s words “fall to the ground”.

It is amazing how easily folks can be drawn away from truth. By the instructions of God, the Law was written on stone tablets. By the instructions of God, those tablets were placed inside the Ark of the Covenant (along with a jar of manna and Aaron’s rod). By the instructions of God, the Ark was to be placed inside the Holy of Holies in the tabernacle (currently at Shiloh) and the Presence of God dwelled there. By the instructions of God, one day each year the High Priest would enter and offer the blood of Atonement on the Mercy Seat that covered the Ark.

So, what did the people do? Without the instruction of God, they decided to take the Ark to battle with them.  Seems like a great idea, right? The Ark is powerful, right? The Ark will give us victory, right? God didn’t specifically say to NOT take the Ark to battle, right? The result was the Philistines won the day, captured the Ark of the Covenant and Eli’s sons died.

Departing from the instructions of God always leads to trouble, even with the best of intentions. In essence, they turned the Ark into an idol. Elohim Shaddai is powerful, not the manmade Ark. Yahweh Elohim gives victory, not the Ark. Yahweh would go with them, not the Ark. Because that is what He said. What He didn’t say didn’t matter.

Even though the Israelites had a living God and not a god fashioned in their minds with stone or wood, they wanted what other nations had. Even though their God was their King, now they wanted a man to rule over them like the other nations. So, Yahweh gave them the desires of their hearts as His heart broke. Saul would be king because he looked the part.

Samuel was a prophet come from God, because the people were no longer listening to the previous word received from God. Yahweh offered spiritual things, yet they yearned for physical things. Still God did not give up on them … He is patient, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. And so He became a man like us, tempted and tried just like us, but without sin. So He could redeem us from ourselves.

Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,

Hebrews 1:1-3

Consider His nature. Consider His ways. Strive to love Him more!