Samuel was an answer to his mother’s prayer. SAMUEL means “Asked of God” or “appointed by God.” Hannah promised to give Samuel back to God. All that Hannah gave were FIRST gifts to her. The same is true in our lives.
Hannah did not give Samuel to the Lord for a little while but “as long as he liveth” (I Sam 1:24). Samuel was three years old, according to most Jewish scholars, when she presented him to the Lord. We cannot begin too soon in the spiritual training of our children.
By birth, Samuel was a Levite (I Sam 1:1). He was born in Ramathaim- Zophim. Zophim means “watchmen.” Prophets are called watchmen. By vow: Samuel was a Nazarite (I Sam 1:11). The VOW of Hannah, Samuel’s mother, before he was conceived was the VOW of a Nazarite. (Numbers 6:1-5).
- Totally separated to the Lord (Num6:2)
- One who does NOT take strong drink or wine (6:3)
- One who uses NOT a razor (6:5) Long hair was a visible sign of his separation to the Lord and his willingness to bear reproach for the Lord’s sake
- One who avoided contact with a dead body (6:5-6). This was a sign of absolute purity of life.
Samuel was called to be a PROPHET, “a spokesman for God, a seer, a watchman.” The prophetic order was founded by Samuel (I Sam 9:9, 18-19). He started the first school of prophets. There are several false prophets who have not been mentored or taught the Word of God correctly, and they do foolish things and lead people astray.
SAMUEL was an INTERCESSOR: I Sam 7:5-8; 12:18-23.
SAMUEL was a PRIEST; He was born as a Levite, and the Lord gave him the duties of a priest. He was ranked with MOSES & AARON. (Ps 99:6) functions—offering of sacrifice (I Sam 7:9-10) / Praying for people (7:9) / anointing of Kings (10:1; 16:13).
SAMUEL, JUDGED ISRAEL (I Sam 7:15-17) In this chapter, 7 -identifies Samuel as a prophet, priest and Judge. From his childhood to old age, Samuel faithfully served God and Israel, yet at the time the nation needed him, they rejected him.
Israel wanted a King so they could be like the other nations. They no longer wanted God as their ruler. They felt it was a shame – not to be up to date. Samuel had a spotless record. He was obedient; he taught the Word of God, and he prayed and interceded.
All Bible and no prayer give us light but no power. All prayer but no Bible gives you zeal without knowledge, so we need the balance of Word and Spirit. He established schools in Ramah(hometown) I Sam 19:18-24), Saul’s hometown of Gibeah (I Sam 10:5-7), Gilgal, Bethel, and Jericho (2 Kings 2).
Samuel grieves and mourns for SAUL: “Until the day Samuel died, he did not see SAUL again, though Samuel mourned for him. And the Lord grieved that he had made SAUL king over Israel (I Sam 15:35) James 4:9-10, “Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up” “The old age of an eagle is better than the youth of a sparrow” Samuel was an eagle. He can teach us young sparrows how to fly. When you read I Sam 5,6 & 7, we understand the Philistines’ military strength, organization, and superiority over Israel.
The Philistines were the first in Cannan to use iron weapons and tools. They had significant chariot force. They had a monopoly on blacksmiths. They ruled FIVE MAIN CITIES -located along the coast. The Israelites were simple farmers, shepherds, raised cattle and pastoral. Israelites had NO chariots, NO organized network of cities, and NO professional army. Their main weapons were spears, knives, slingshots, and some shields—NO significant armour. They fought as tribes. Israel faced a desperate condition – their most sacred object “the ARK,” was taken by their most feared enemy. The Philistines discovered that wherever they placed the “ARK”, it brought havoc and destruction. And they returned the ARK.
Samuel used this opportunity to address the people. Samuel’s message was simple and to the point: GOD WILL DELIVER YOU.
He asked people to repent of their evil ways:
- Return to the Lord with ALL YOUR HEART.
- Remove the Foreign Gods and the Ashtaroth
- Direct your hearts to the Lord and serve Him.
We all have our Philistines, which we face and fear in life. GIVE YOUR PHILISTINES TO GOD. Use Samuel and Israelites as a model: I Sam 7:8 – Israelites cry to Samuel to pray. How do you respond to overwhelming problems, odds and trials? Do you let fear paralyze you? Do you seek God with a sense of urgency?
I Sam 7:9 says,” Samuel cried to the Lord for Israel.” God responded 7:10, “thundered with a great thunder.” God caused panic and confusion “God thundered with a great voice” The voice of the Lord is upon the waters; The God of glory thunders, the Lord is over many waters. The voice of the Lord is powerful, the voice of the Lord is majestic” (Ps 29:3-4) Psalm 18:13, “The Most High uttered His voice, hailstones and coals of fire.” “At thy rebuke they fled; at the sound of thy thunder, they hurried away”(Ps 104:7). THUNDER IS ASSOCIATED WITH THE VOICE AND POWER OF GOD.
THE THUNDER AND THE VOICE OF GOD routed the Philistines.
The God of the Bible is a Holy God. He is NOT a distant figure – not an aged grandfather who cannot see correctly or discern things. GOD IS A WARRIOR-KING—a force to be reckoned with and feared. God’s presence is all-powerful and not to be taken lightly. When we encounter God, we know it. Our souls are shaken when we encounter God or have a divine experience. The believer hears the voice of God and recognizes His touch. The unbeliever may become confused or unsure of the experience and can misinterpret the message. (Dan 10:1-8)
Samuel was a great prophet and great conqueror. Under his leadership, the yoke of oppression of the Philistines for twenty years was broken. He conquered the Philistines by getting Israel right with God. The oppression by the Philistines came because of Israel’s sin. The attack was very destructive for Israel. 30,000 Israeli soldiers were killed. Eli’s sons were also killed when they took the ARK to battle.
The Philistines captured the ARK – later, they returned the ARK when it proved to be a curse for the Philistines. It was taken to Kirjath-Jearim NOT to Shiloh. ELI died when he heard the news of the defeat, and worship stopped at SHILOH. The Philistines destroyed Shiloh.
Twenty years have elapsed in Samuel’s life when we read verse 2. Samuel is no longer a boy, but a grown man engaged in an itinerant ministry. Samuel prepared Israel for a crusade against the Philistines. It was NOT a preparation of military drills and maneuvers. It was a SPIRITUAL PREPARATION. Israel needed to get right with God.
Samuel was the BEST JUDGE who ruled Israel during those 400 years between Joshua and King Saul. Samuel was superior in character, spiritual faithfulness, and leadership. Had higher conceptions of God and his law, intimate with HIM, more noble. He was humble, patient, generous, not given to greed, disinterested zeal and holy energy.
His message:
- “PUT AWAY strange gods and Ashtaroth from among you” (V 3). CORRECT THEOLOGY IS VITAL TO TRUE VICTORY. Corrupt theology is an insult to God. Baal’s mistress was ASHTAROTH.
- PREPARE your hearts unto the Lord (v 3)-Devotion, loyalty. Love for God. Heart preparation is the most important preparation for life.
- “SERVE HIM ONLY” (v 3)
Meeting at MIZPEH: GATHER all Israel at Mizpeh and I will pray for you unto the Lord”(v 5)
- Dedicating time
- Fasting time
- Confessing time means not finding excuses, concealing, legalizing, or popularizing but to CONFESS sins.
- Teaching Time: Prophet, Priest, Judge, Military General. Judging is a teaching Time.
- Disturbing Time: Philistines decided to attack, and Israelites were disturbed.
- Praying time is the best preparation for overcoming the enemy.
- Samuel took a lamb and offered it as a burnt offering- The Lord heard him.
- Starting of battle at MIZPEH: (v 10) “As Samuel was offering up the burnt offering, the Philistines drew near to battle against Israel”. Philistines made the mistake of attacking Israel when they were praying and when they were in their BEST SHAPE SPIRITUALLY.
- SOUND FROM HEAVEN: But that day, the Lord thundered with loud thunder against the Philistines and threw them into such a panic that they were routed before the Israelites. (v 10)
- SMITING AND SUBDUING PHILISTINES: (VS 11-13)—The HAND of the LORD was against the Philistines all the days of Samuel. The AMORITES made peace with Israel.
- STONE OF MEMORIAL: (V -12) Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen. He named it Ebenezer, saying, “Thus far the Lord has helped us.”—TIME AND PLACE OF THANKSGIVING.—GOD–STONE OF HELP/ROCK (DEUT 32:4, 15,18, 30, 31)-five times. Rock speaks of strength and Protection.
JEHOVAH-JIREH – Genesis 22:14 “So Abraham called that place The Lord Will Provide. And to this day, it is said, “On the mountain of the Lord it will be provided.“ ”When they reached the place God had told him about, Abraham built an altar there and arranged the wood on it. He bound his son Isaac and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. Then he reached out his hand and took the knife to slay his son. But the angel of the Lord called out to him from heaven, “Abraham! Abraham!” “Here I am,” he replied. “Do not lay a hand on the boy,” he said. “Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son.” Abraham looked up, and there in a thicket, he saw a ram [a] caught by its horns. He went over and took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering instead of his son.”
How wonderfully God provided for Abraham at Moriah. That is why Abraham named that place “Jehovah-Jireh”. He realized the PROVIDING ABILITY OF GOD.
Ram was near — Christ is near. Ram was free – cost Abraham nothing – Salvation is free- Ram had to be appropriated – He had to go and get it – he could look at it all day – but would do no good. POSSESS YOUR POSSESSIONS. (JOHN 1:12).
OUR Needs will be supplied at the place of Obedience. “God’s work done God’s way will never lack God’s supply”. IPC lost its FCRA more than five years ago for several reasons – some tried to obstruct from getting it – but God led and pro. In the past, God has used vided for us in time widows, ravens, wise men, and fish’s mouth.
God uses various means, but our eyes must be on Jesus, our provider, rather than on the means. Our future is secure when we trust JESUS as our provider.
