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| | ===Early Life=== | | ===Early Life=== |
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| − | <p>Samuel’s father was [[Elkanah]], and he had two wives named [[Hannah]] and [[Peninnah]]. They were from a place called Ramathaim-zophim, of mount [[Ephraim]].<ref><strong>1 Samuel 1:1</strong> <em>Now there was a certain man of Ramathaimzophim, of mount Ephraim, and his name was Elkanah, the son of Jeroham, the son of Elihu, the son of Tohu, the son of Zuph, an Ephrathite:</em></ref> [[Peninnah]] had children, but [[Hannah]] had no children because she was barren.<ref><strong>1 Samuel 1:2</strong> <em>And he had two wives; the name of the one was Hannah, and the name of the other Peninnah: and Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children.</em></ref> [[Hannah]] asked [[God]] to bless her with a child and made a vow that if [[God]] would give her a child, she would offer him to the Lord all the days of his life.<ref><strong>1 Samuel 1:11</strong> <em>And she vowed a vow, and said, O Lord of hosts, if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thine handmaid, and remember me, and not forget thine handmaid, but wilt give unto thine handmaid a man child, then I will give him unto the Lord all the days of his life, and there shall no razor come upon his head.</em></ref> [[God]] later gave her a child, whom she named Samuel saying “because I have asked him of the LORD” <strong>(1 Samuel 1:20)</strong>.</p> | + | <p>Samuel’s father was [[Elkanah]], and he had two wives named [[Hannah]] and [[Peninnah]]. They were from a place called Ramathaim-zophim, of mount [[Ephraim]].<ref>1 Samuel 1:1</ref> [[Peninnah]] had children, but [[Hannah]] had no children because she was barren.<ref>1 Samuel 1:2</ref> [[Hannah]] asked [[God]] to bless her with a child and made a vow that if [[God]] would give her a child, she would offer him to the Lord all the days of his life.<ref>1 Samuel 1:11</ref> [[God]] later gave her a child, whom she named Samuel saying “because I have asked him of the LORD” <strong>(1 Samuel 1:20)</strong>.</p> |
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| − | <p>His parents kept the Lord’s yearly feasts mentioned in <strong>Leviticus 23</strong>.<ref><strong>1 Samuel 1:3, 21</strong> <em>And this man went up out of his city yearly to worship and to sacrifice unto the Lord of hosts in Shiloh. And the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, the priests of the Lord, were there, 21 And the man Elkanah, and all his house, went up to offer unto the Lord the yearly sacrifice, and his vow.</em></ref> But when Samuel was born his mother [[Hannah]] did not make the trips until he was a bit older, because he was still a suckling. When the boy was weaned, she took him to the temple where he was to apprentice under [[Eli]] who was the priest in the temple of the Lord.<ref><strong>1 Samuel 1:9, 3:1</strong> <em>So Hannah rose up after they had eaten in Shiloh, and after they had drunk. Now Eli the priest sat upon a seat by a post of the temple of the Lord. 3:1 And the child Samuel ministered unto the Lord before Eli. And the word of the Lord was precious in those days; there was no open vision.</em></ref></p> | + | <p>His parents kept the Lord’s yearly feasts mentioned in <strong>Leviticus 23</strong>.<ref>1 Samuel 1:3, 21</ref> But when Samuel was born his mother [[Hannah]] did not make the trips until he was a bit older, because he was still a suckling. When the boy was weaned, she took him to the temple where he was to apprentice under [[Eli]] who was the priest in the temple of the Lord.<ref>1 Samuel 1:9, 3:1</ref></p> |
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| | <p>“Samuel grew on and was in favor both with [[God]] and men” <strong>(1 Samuel 2:26)</strong> and “all [[Israel]]... knew that Samuel was established to be a prophet of the LORD” <strong>(1 Samuel 3:20)</strong>.</p> | | <p>“Samuel grew on and was in favor both with [[God]] and men” <strong>(1 Samuel 2:26)</strong> and “all [[Israel]]... knew that Samuel was established to be a prophet of the LORD” <strong>(1 Samuel 3:20)</strong>.</p> |
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| − | <p>One night while both [[Eli]] and Samuel were asleep the Lord called Samuel and he woke up thinking it was the priest who called him; this happened three times. And [[Eli]] understood the third time that it was the Lord who was calling the child. The priest told the child that when the Lord called again, he should respond by saying “Speak, Lord; for thy servant heareth” <strong>(1 Samuel 3:3-9)</strong>. When [[God]] called again as other times, the boy answered, and [[God]] told him what He was going to do to [[Israel]] and [[Eli]]’s house. He was angry at [[Eli]]’s sons who had “made themselves vile” and at [[Eli]] who had not restrained them <strong>(1 Samuel 3:13)</strong>. After hearing this Samuel went back to sleep and told [[Eli]] in the morning everything that [[God]] told him.<ref><strong>1 Samuel 3:10-18</strong> <em>And the Lord came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel answered, Speak; for thy servant heareth.<br>And the Lord said to Samuel, Behold, I will do a thing in Israel, at which both the ears of every one that heareth it shall tingle. In that day I will perform against Eli all things which I have spoken concerning his house: when I begin, I will also make an end. For I have told him that I will judge his house for ever for the iniquity which he knoweth; because his sons made themselves vile, and he restrained them not. And therefore I have sworn unto the house of Eli, that the iniquity of Eli's house shall not be purged with sacrifice nor offering for ever.<br>And Samuel lay until the morning, and opened the doors of the house of the Lord. And Samuel feared to shew Eli the vision. Then Eli called Samuel, and said, Samuel, my son. And he answered, Here am I. And he said, What is the thing that the Lord hath said unto thee? I pray thee hide it not from me: God do so to thee, and more also, if thou hide any thing from me of all the things that he said unto thee. And Samuel told him every whit, and hid nothing from him. And he said, It is the Lord: let him do what seemeth him good.</em></ref></p> | + | <p>One night while both [[Eli]] and Samuel were asleep the Lord called Samuel and he woke up thinking it was the priest who called him; this happened three times. And [[Eli]] understood the third time that it was the Lord who was calling the child. The priest told the child that when the Lord called again, he should respond by saying “Speak, Lord; for thy servant heareth” <strong>(1 Samuel 3:3-9)</strong>. When [[God]] called again as other times, the boy answered, and [[God]] told him what He was going to do to [[Israel]] and [[Eli]]’s house. He was angry at [[Eli]]’s sons who had “made themselves vile” and at [[Eli]] who had not restrained them <strong>(1 Samuel 3:13)</strong>. After hearing this Samuel went back to sleep and told [[Eli]] in the morning everything that [[God]] told him.<ref>1 Samuel 3:10-18</ref></p> |
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| | ===Samuel Becomes a Judge=== | | ===Samuel Becomes a Judge=== |
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| − | <p>Later, [[Israel]] went out to war against the [[Philistines]], and [[Israel]] was defeated.<ref><strong>1 Samuel 4:1-2</strong> <em>And the word of Samuel came to all Israel. Now Israel went out against the Philistines to battle, and pitched beside Ebenezer: and the Philistines pitched in Aphek. And the Philistines put themselves in array against Israel: and when they joined battle, Israel was smitten before the Philistines: and they slew of the army in the field about four thousand men.</em></ref> [[Eli]]’s sons were killed and the [[ark]] of [[God]] was taken.<ref><strong>1 Samuel 4:11</strong> <em>And the ark of God was taken; and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were slain.</em></ref> One of the soldiers managed to escape and reported what happened to [[Eli]]. When he heard that the [[ark]] of [[God]] had been taken, he fell from his seat, broke his neck, and died.<ref><strong>1 Samuel 4:12-18</strong> <em>And there ran a man of Benjamin out of the army, and came to Shiloh the same day with his clothes rent, and with earth upon his head.<br>And when he came, lo, Eli sat upon a seat by the wayside watching: for his heart trembled for the ark of God. And when the man came into the city, and told it, all the city cried out. And when Eli heard the noise of the crying, he said, What meaneth the noise of this tumult? And the man came in hastily, and told Eli.<br>Now Eli was ninety and eight years old; and his eyes were dim, that he could not see. And the man said unto Eli, I am he that came out of the army, and I fled to day out of the army.<br>And he said, What is there done, my son?<br>And the messenger answered and said, Israel is fled before the Philistines, and there hath been also a great slaughter among the people, and thy two sons also, Hophni and Phinehas, are dead, and the ark of God is taken.<br>And it came to pass, when he made mention of the ark of God, that he fell from off the seat backward by the side of the gate, and his neck brake, and he died: for he was an old man, and heavy. And he had judged Israel forty years.</em></ref></p> | + | <p>Later, [[Israel]] went out to war against the [[Philistines]], and [[Israel]] was defeated.<ref>1 Samuel 4:1-2</ref> [[Eli]]’s sons were killed and the [[ark]] of [[God]] was taken.<ref>1 Samuel 4:11</ref> One of the soldiers managed to escape and reported what happened to [[Eli]]. When he heard that the [[ark]] of [[God]] had been taken, he fell from his seat, broke his neck, and died.<ref>1 Samuel 4:12-18</ref></p> |
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| − | <p>However, the [[ark]] of [[God]] brought a curse upon the land of the [[Philistines]] for seven months.<ref><strong>1 Samuel 5-6</strong> <em>And the Philistines took the ark of God, and brought it from Ebenezer unto Ashdod. When the Philistines took the ark of God, they brought it into the house of Dagon, and set it by Dagon. And when they of Ashdod arose early on the morrow, behold, Dagon was fallen upon his face to the earth before the ark of the Lord. And they took Dagon, and set him in his place again.<br>And when they arose early on the morrow morning, behold, Dagon was fallen upon his face to the ground before the ark of the Lord; and the head of Dagon and both the palms of his hands were cut off upon the threshold; only the stump of Dagon was left to him. Therefore neither the priests of Dagon, nor any that come into Dagon's house, tread on the threshold of Dagon in Ashdod unto this day.<br>But the hand of the Lord was heavy upon them of Ashdod, and he destroyed them, and smote them with emerods, even Ashdod and the coasts thereof. And when the men of Ashdod saw that it was so, they said, The ark of the God of Israel shall not abide with us: for his hand is sore upon us, and upon Dagon our God.<br>They sent therefore and gathered all the lords of the Philistines unto them, and said, What shall we do with the ark of the God of Israel? And they answered, Let the ark of the God of Israel be carried about unto Gath. And they carried the ark of the God of Israel about thither. And it was so, that, after they had carried it about, the hand of the Lord was against the city with a very great destruction: and he smote the men of the city, both small and great, and they had emerods in their secret parts.<br>Therefore they sent the ark of God to Ekron. And it came to pass, as the ark of God came to Ekron, that the Ekronites cried out, saying, They have brought about the ark of the God of Israel to us, to slay us and our people. So they sent and gathered together all the lords of the Philistines, and said, Send away the ark of the God of Israel, and let it go again to his own place, that it slay us not, and our people: for there was a deadly destruction throughout all the city; the hand of God was very heavy there. And the men that died not were smitten with the emerods: and the cry of the city went up to heaven.<br>Chapetr 6 And the ark of the Lord was in the country of the Philistines seven months. And the Philistines called for the priests and the diviners, saying, What shall we do to the ark of the Lord? tell us wherewith we shall send it to his place.<br>And they said, If ye send away the ark of the God of Israel, send it not empty; but in any wise return him a trespass offering: then ye shall be healed, and it shall be known to you why his hand is not removed from you.<br>Then said they, What shall be the trespass offering which we shall return to him? They answered, Five golden emerods, and five golden mice, according to the number of the lords of the Philistines: for one plague was on you all, and on your lords. Wherefore ye shall make images of your emerods, and images of your mice that mar the land; and ye shall give glory unto the God of Israel: peradventure he will lighten his hand from off you, and from off your Gods, and from off your land.<br>Wherefore then do ye harden your hearts, as the Egyptians and Pharaoh hardened their hearts? when he had wrought wonderfully among them, did they not let the people go, and they departed? Now therefore make a new cart, and take two milch kine, on which there hath come no yoke, and tie the kine to the cart, and bring their calves home from them: And take the ark of the Lord, and lay it upon the cart; and put the jewels of gold, which ye return him for a trespass offering, in a coffer by the side thereof; and send it away, that it may go. And see, if it goeth up by the way of his own coast to Bethshemesh, then he hath done us this great evil: but if not, then we shall know that it is not his hand that smote us: it was a chance that happened to us.<br> And the men did so; and took two milch kine, and tied them to the cart, and shut up their calves at home: And they laid the ark of the Lord upon the cart, and the coffer with the mice of gold and the images of their emerods. And the kine took the straight way to the way of Bethshemesh, and went along the highway, lowing as they went, and turned not aside to the right hand or to the left; and the lords of the Philistines went after them unto the border of Bethshemesh. And they of Bethshemesh were reaping their wheat harvest in the valley: and they lifted up their eyes, and saw the ark, and rejoiced to see it.<br>And the cart came into the field of Joshua, a Bethshemite, and stood there, where there was a great stone: and they clave the wood of the cart, and offered the kine a burnt offering unto the Lord. And the Levites took down the ark of the Lord, and the coffer that was with it, wherein the jewels of gold were, and put them on the great stone: and the men of Bethshemesh offered burnt offerings and sacrificed sacrifices the same day unto the Lord. And when the five lords of the Philistines had seen it, they returned to Ekron the same day. And these are the golden emerods which the Philistines returned for a trespass offering unto the Lord; for Ashdod one, for Gaza one, for Askelon one, for Gath one, for Ekron one; And the golden mice, according to the number of all the cities of the Philistines belonging to the five lords, both of fenced cities, and of country villages, even unto the great stone of Abel, whereon they set down the ark of the Lord: which stone remaineth unto this day in the field of Joshua, the Bethshemite.<br>And he smote the men of Bethshemesh, because they had looked into the ark of the Lord, even he smote of the people fifty thousand and threescore and ten men: and the people lamented, because the Lord had smitten many of the people with a great slaughter. And the men of Bethshemesh said, Who is able to stand before this holy Lord God? and to whom shall he go up from us? And they sent messengers to the inhabitants of Kirjathjearim, saying, The Philistines have brought again the ark of the Lord; come ye down, and fetch it up to you.</em></ref> They returned it back to the people of [[Israel]] and it abode in [[Kirjath-jearim]] where [[Eleazar]] the son of [[Abinadab]] took care of it.<ref><strong>1 Samuel 7:1</strong> <em>And the men of Kirjathjearim came, and fetched up the ark of the Lord, and brought it into the house of Abinadab in the hill, and sanctified Eleazar his son to keep the ark of the Lord.</em></ref></p> | + | <p>However, the [[ark]] of [[God]] brought a curse upon the land of the [[Philistines]] for seven months.<ref>1 Samuel 5-6</ref> They returned it back to the people of [[Israel]] and it abode in [[Kirjath-jearim]] where [[Eleazar]] the son of [[Abinadab]] took care of it.<ref>1 Samuel 7:1</ref></p> |
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| − | <p>Samuel took over as judge and priest after [[Eli]]’s death. He traveled extensively dealing with matters in [[Bethel]], [[Mizpeh]], [[Gilgal]], and [[Ramah]] his birthplace.<ref><strong>1 Samuel 7:15-17</strong> <em>And Samuel judged Israel all the days of his life. And he went from year to year in circuit to Bethel, and Gilgal, and Mizpeh, and judged Israel in all those places. And his return was to Ramah; for there was his house; and there he judged Israel; and there he built an altar unto the Lord.</em></ref> He urged the children of [[Israel]] to turn from their idols and return to [[God]], who would save them from the [[Philistines]]; the children agreed and fasted, and [[God]] delivered them from their enemy.<ref><strong>1 Samuel 7:3-17</strong> <em>And Samuel spake unto all the house of Israel, saying, If ye do return unto the Lord with all your hearts, then put away the strange Gods and Ashtaroth from among you, and prepare your hearts unto the Lord, and serve him only: and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines.<br>Then the children of Israel did put away Baalim and Ashtaroth, and served the Lord only. And Samuel said, Gather all Israel to Mizpeh, and I will pray for you unto the Lord. And they gathered together to Mizpeh, and drew water, and poured it out before the Lord, and fasted on that day, and said there, We have sinned against the Lord. And Samuel judged the children of Israel in Mizpeh.<br>And when the Philistines heard that the children of Israel were gathered together to Mizpeh, the lords of the Philistines went up against Israel. And when the children of Israel heard it, they were afraid of the Philistines. And the children of Israel said to Samuel, Cease not to cry unto the Lord our God for us, that he will save us out of the hand of the Philistines.<br>And Samuel took a sucking lamb, and offered it for a burnt offering wholly unto the Lord: and Samuel cried unto the Lord for Israel; and the Lord heard him. And as Samuel was offering up the burnt offering, the Philistines drew near to battle against Israel: but the Lord thundered with a great thunder on that day upon the Philistines, and discomfited them; and they were smitten before Israel. | + | <p>Samuel took over as judge and priest after [[Eli]]’s death. He traveled extensively dealing with matters in [[Bethel]], [[Mizpeh]], [[Gilgal]], and [[Ramah]] his birthplace.<ref>1 Samuel 7:15-17</ref> He urged the children of [[Israel]] to turn from their idols and return to [[God]], who would save them from the [[Philistines]]; the children agreed and fasted, and [[God]] delivered them from their enemy.<ref>1 Samuel 7:3-17</ref></p> |
| − | <br>And the men of Israel went out of Mizpeh, and pursued the Philistines, and smote them, until they came under Bethcar. Then Samuel took a stone, and set it between Mizpeh and Shen, and called the name of it Ebenezer, saying, Hitherto hath the Lord helped us.<br>So the Philistines were subdued, and they came no more into the coast of Israel: and the hand of the Lord was against the Philistines all the days of Samuel. And the cities which the Philistines had taken from Israel were restored to Israel, from Ekron even unto Gath; and the coasts thereof did Israel deliver out of the hands of the Philistines. And there was peace between Israel and the Amorites.<br>And Samuel judged Israel all the days of his life. And he went from year to year in circuit to Bethel, and Gilgal, and Mizpeh, and judged Israel in all those places. And his return was to Ramah; for there was his house; and there he judged Israel; and there he built an altar unto the Lord.</em></ref></p>
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| | ===Samuel Anoints [[Saul]]=== | | ===Samuel Anoints [[Saul]]=== |
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| − | <p>When Samuel was old, he appointed his sons [[Joel]] and Abiah to judge [[Israel]]. They were judges in [[Beer-sheba]].<ref><strong>1 Samuel 8:1-2</strong> <em>And it came to pass, when Samuel was old, that he made his sons judges over Israel. Now the name of his firstborn was Joel; and the name of his second, Abiah: they were judges in Beersheba.</em></ref> His sons did not follow their father’s teaching; they “took bribes and perverted judgment” <strong>(1 Samuel 8:3)</strong>. The elders of [[Israel]] were not happy about this, so they complained to Samuel and asked him to give them a king like other nations.<ref><strong>1 Samuel 8:5</strong> <em>And said unto him, Behold, thou art old, and thy sons walk not in thy ways: now make us a king to judge us like all the nations.</em></ref></p> | + | <p>When Samuel was old, he appointed his sons [[Joel]] and Abiah to judge [[Israel]]. They were judges in [[Beer-sheba]].<ref>1 Samuel 8:1-2</ref> His sons did not follow their father’s teaching; they “took bribes and perverted judgment” <strong>(1 Samuel 8:3)</strong>. The elders of [[Israel]] were not happy about this, so they complained to Samuel and asked him to give them a king like other nations.<ref>1 Samuel 8:5</ref></p> |
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| − | <p>Samuel did not like the idea, but [[God]] instructed him to give them a king, but also to “protest solemnly unto them, and shew them the manner of the king that shall reign over them” <strong>(1 Samuel 8:6-9)</strong>. [[God]] sent them [[Saul]] of the tribe of [[Benjamin]].<ref><strong>1 Samuel 9:15-17</strong> <em>Now the Lord had told Samuel in his ear a day before Saul came, saying, To morrow about this time I will send thee a man out of the land of Benjamin, and thou shalt anoint him to be captain over my people Israel, that he may save my people out of the hand of the Philistines: for I have looked upon my people, because their cry is come unto me. And when Samuel saw Saul, the Lord said unto him, Behold the man whom I spake to thee of! this same shall reign over my people.</em></ref> There was a special sacrifice of the people that day, and Samuel invited [[Saul]] to join him for the banquet, giving him the chiefest seat and the best portion of food.<ref><strong>1 Samuel 9:12, 19, 22-24</strong> <em>And they answered them, and said, He is; behold, he is before you: make haste now, for he came to day to the city; for there is a sacrifice of the people to day in the high place: 19 And Samuel answered Saul, and said, I am the seer: go up before me unto the high place; for ye shall eat with me to day, and to morrow I will let thee go, and will tell thee all that is in thine heart. 22-24 And Samuel took Saul and his servant, and brought them into the parlour, and made them sit in the chiefest place among them that were bidden, which were about thirty persons. And Samuel said unto the cook, Bring the portion which I gave thee, of which I said unto thee, Set it by thee. And the cook took up the shoulder, and that which was upon it, and set it before Saul. And Samuel said, Behold that which is left! set it before thee, and eat: for unto this time hath it been kept for thee since I said, I have invited the people. So Saul did eat with Samuel that day.</em></ref> The next morning Samuel called [[Saul]] so they could talk again privately before he left.<ref><strong>1 Samuel 9:26-27</strong> <em>And they arose early: and it came to pass about the spring of the day, that Samuel called Saul to the top of the house, saying, Up, that I may send thee away. And Saul arose, and they went out both of them, he and Samuel, abroad. And as they were going down to the end of the city, Samuel said to Saul, Bid the servant pass on before us, (and he passed on), but stand thou still a while, that I may shew thee the word of God.</em></ref></p> | + | <p>Samuel did not like the idea, but [[God]] instructed him to give them a king, but also to “protest solemnly unto them, and shew them the manner of the king that shall reign over them” <strong>(1 Samuel 8:6-9)</strong>. [[God]] sent them [[Saul]] of the tribe of [[Benjamin]].<ref>1 Samuel 9:15-17</ref> There was a special sacrifice of the people that day, and Samuel invited [[Saul]] to join him for the banquet, giving him the chiefest seat and the best portion of food.<ref>1 Samuel 9:12, 19, 22-24</ref> The next morning Samuel called [[Saul]] so they could talk again privately before he left.<ref>1 Samuel 9:26-27</ref></p> |
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| − | <p>Then Samuel took a flask of oil and anointed him to be king of [[Israel]].<ref><strong>1 Samuel 10:1</strong> <em>Then Samuel took a vial of oil, and poured it upon his head, and kissed him, and said, Is it not because the Lord hath anointed thee to be captain over his inheritance?</em></ref> He gave him instructions and sent him away. Samuel called a meeting with the people to [[Mizpeh]] to tell them [[God]]’s message.<ref><strong>1 Samuel 10:17</strong> <em>And Samuel called the people together unto the Lord to Mizpeh;</em></ref> He showed the people that [[God]] had chosen a man from the tribe of [[Benjamin]] to be their king since they had rejected Him. [[Saul]] was found to be the chosen one, and he tried to hide himself in vain.<ref><strong>1 Samuel 10:20-24</strong> <em>And when Samuel had caused all the tribes of Israel to come near, the tribe of Benjamin was taken. When he had caused the tribe of Benjamin to come near by their families, the family of Matri was taken, and Saul the son of Kish was taken: and when they sought him, he could not be found.<br>Therefore they enquired of the Lord further, if the man should yet come thither. And the Lord answered, Behold he hath hid himself among the stuff. And they ran and fetched him thence: and when he stood among the people, he was higher than any of the people from his shoulders and upward. And Samuel said to all the people, See ye him whom the Lord hath chosen, that there is none like him among all the people? And all the people shouted, and said, God save the king.</em></ref> After the inauguration Samuel laid out how the kingdom would be structured.<ref><strong>1 Samuel 10:25</strong> <em>Then Samuel told the people the manner of the kingdom, and wrote it in a book, and laid it up before the Lord. And Samuel sent all the people away, every man to his house.</em></ref></p> | + | <p>Then Samuel took a flask of oil and anointed him to be king of [[Israel]].<ref>1 Samuel 10:1</ref> He gave him instructions and sent him away. Samuel called a meeting with the people to [[Mizpeh]] to tell them [[God]]’s message.<ref>1 Samuel 10:17</ref> He showed the people that [[God]] had chosen a man from the tribe of [[Benjamin]] to be their king since they had rejected Him. [[Saul]] was found to be the chosen one, and he tried to hide himself in vain.<ref>1 Samuel 10:20-24</ref> After the inauguration Samuel laid out how the kingdom would be structured.<ref>1 Samuel 10:25</ref></p> |
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| − | <p>Samuel renewed the kingdom with [[Saul]] in [[Gilgal]] after [[Saul]] had defeated [[Nahash]] the [[Ammonite]], who had come against [[Jabesh-gilead]] and threatened to put out the right eyes of all the men of [[Israel]]. At the renewal of the kingdom, [[Saul]] was made king before the Lord, sacrifices were made, and there was great rejoicing.<ref><strong>1 Samuel 11</strong> <em>Then Nahash the Ammonite came up, and encamped against Jabeshgilead: and all the men of Jabesh said unto Nahash, Make a covenant with us, and we will serve thee. And Nahash the Ammonite answered them, On this condition will I make a covenant with you, that I may thrust out all your right eyes, and lay it for a reproach upon all Israel.<br>And the elders of Jabesh said unto him, Give us seven days' respite, that we may send messengers unto all the coasts of Israel: and then, if there be no man to save us, we will come out to thee. Then came the messengers to Gibeah of Saul, and told the tidings in the ears of the people: and all the people lifted up their voices, and wept.<br>And, behold, Saul came after the herd out of the field; and Saul said, What aileth the people that they weep? And they told him the tidings of the men of Jabesh. And the Spirit of God came upon Saul when he heard those tidings, and his anger was kindled greatly.<br>And he took a yoke of oxen, and hewed them in pieces, and sent them throughout all the coasts of Israel by the hands of messengers, saying, Whosoever cometh not forth after Saul and after Samuel, so shall it be done unto his oxen. <br>And the fear of the Lord fell on the people, and they came out with one consent. And when he numbered them in Bezek, the children of Israel were three hundred thousand, and the men of Judah thirty thousand. And they said unto the messengers that came, Thus shall ye say unto the men of Jabeshgilead, To morrow, by that time the sun be hot, ye shall have help. And the messengers came and shewed it to the men of Jabesh; and they were glad. Therefore the men of Jabesh said, To morrow we will come out unto you, and ye shall do with us all that seemeth good unto you.<br>And it was so on the morrow, that Saul put the people in three companies; and they came into the midst of the host in the morning watch, and slew the Ammonites until the heat of the day: and it came to pass, that they which remained were scattered, so that two of them were not left together. And the people said unto Samuel, Who is he that said, Shall Saul reign over us? bring the men, that we may put them to death.<br>And Saul said, There shall not a man be put to death this day: for to day the Lord hath wrought salvation in Israel. Then said Samuel to the people, Come, and let us go to Gilgal, and renew the kingdom there. And all the people went to Gilgal; and there they made Saul king before the Lord in Gilgal; and there they sacrificed sacrifices of peace offerings before the Lord; and there Saul and all the men of Israel rejoiced greatly.</em></ref></p> | + | <p>Samuel renewed the kingdom with [[Saul]] in [[Gilgal]] after [[Saul]] had defeated [[Nahash]] the [[Ammonite]], who had come against [[Jabesh-gilead]] and threatened to put out the right eyes of all the men of [[Israel]]. At the renewal of the kingdom, [[Saul]] was made king before the Lord, sacrifices were made, and there was great rejoicing.<ref>1 Samuel 11</ref></p> |
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| | ===Samuel Is Displeased With [[Saul]]=== | | ===Samuel Is Displeased With [[Saul]]=== |
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| − | <p>After [[Saul]]’s son [[Jonathan]] attacked a garrison of the [[Philistines]] at Geba, the [[Philistines]] challenged [[Israel]] at [[Gilgal]].<ref><strong>1 Samuel 13:3-5</strong> <em>And Jonathan smote the garrison of the Philistines that was in Geba, and the Philistines heard of it. And Saul blew the trumpet throughout all the land, saying, Let the Hebrews hear. And all Israel heard say that Saul had smitten a garrison of the Philistines, and that Israel also was had in abomination with the Philistines.<br>And the people were called together after Saul to Gilgal. And the Philistines gathered themselves together to fight with Israel, thirty thousand chariots, and six thousand horsemen, and people as the sand which is on the sea shore in multitude: and they came up, and pitched in Michmash, eastward from Bethaven.</em></ref> Samuel had previously instructed [[Saul]] to wait seven days for him and not to engage the enemy until he arrived to present the offering to [[God]].<ref><strong>1 Samuel 13:8</strong> <em>And he tarried seven days, according to the set time that Samuel had appointed: but Samuel came not to Gilgal; and the people were scattered from him.</em></ref>. But [[Saul]] took upon himself to offer the offering instead of Samuel because Samuel delayed coming.<ref><strong>1 Samuel 13:9</strong> <em>And Saul said, Bring hither a burnt offering to me, and peace offerings. And he offered the burnt offering.</em></ref> Immediately after [[Saul]] had offered the offering, Samuel arrived and rebuked him for his foolish act; he told him that [[God]] would have established his kingdom forever, but now his kingdom would not continue.<ref><strong>1 Samuel 13:11-14</strong> <em>And Samuel said, What hast thou done? And Saul said, Because I saw that the people were scattered from me, and that thou camest not within the days appointed, and that the Philistines gathered themselves together at Michmash;<br>Therefore said I, The Philistines will come down now upon me to Gilgal, and I have not made supplication unto the Lord: I forced myself therefore, and offered a burnt offering. And Samuel said to Saul, Thou hast done foolishly: thou hast not kept the commandment of the Lord thy God, which he commanded thee: for now would the Lord have established thy kingdom upon Israel for ever.<br>But now thy kingdom shall not continue: the Lord hath sought him a man after his own heart, and the Lord hath commanded him to be captain over his people, because thou hast not kept that which the Lord commanded thee.</em></ref> Because he did not obey what was commanded, [[God]] was going to look for another man after His own heart who would be king of [[Israel]].<ref><strong>1 Samuel 13:14</strong> <em>But now thy kingdom shall not continue: the Lord hath sought him a man after his own heart, and the Lord hath commanded him to be captain over his people, because thou hast not kept that which the Lord commanded thee.</em></ref></p> | + | <p>After [[Saul]]’s son [[Jonathan]] attacked a garrison of the [[Philistines]] at Geba, the [[Philistines]] challenged [[Israel]] at [[Gilgal]].<ref>1 Samuel 13:3-5</ref> Samuel had previously instructed [[Saul]] to wait seven days for him and not to engage the enemy until he arrived to present the offering to [[God]].<ref>1 Samuel 13:8</ref>. But [[Saul]] took upon himself to offer the offering instead of Samuel because Samuel delayed coming.<ref>1 Samuel 13:9</ref> Immediately after [[Saul]] had offered the offering, Samuel arrived and rebuked him for his foolish act; he told him that [[God]] would have established his kingdom forever, but now his kingdom would not continue.<ref>1 Samuel 13:11-14</ref> Because he did not obey what was commanded, [[God]] was going to look for another man after His own heart who would be king of [[Israel]].<ref>1 Samuel 13:14</ref></p> |
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| − | <p>[[God]] remembered what Amalek did to his people [[Israel]] and sent Samuel to [[Saul]] with the instructions to smite all Amalek with his possessions, sparing nothing.<ref><strong>1 Samuel 15:1-3</strong> <em>Samuel also said unto Saul, The Lord sent me to anoint thee to be king over his people, over Israel: now therefore hearken thou unto the voice of the words of the Lord. Thus saith the Lord of hosts, I remember that which Amalek did to Israel, how he laid wait for him in the way, when he came up from Egypt. Now go and smite Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have, and spare them not; but slay both man and woman, infant and suckling, ox and sheep, camel and ass.</em></ref> Once again, [[Saul]] did not do all that was commanded, for he spared [[Agag]] the king of Amalek and the best cattle; he did not utterly destroy them.<ref><strong>1 Samuel 15:8-9</strong> <em>And he took Agag the king of the Amalekites alive, and utterly destroyed all the people with the edge of the sword.<br>But Saul and the people spared Agag, and the best of the sheep, and of the oxen, and of the fatlings, and the lambs, and all that was good, and would not utterly destroy them: but every thing that was vile and refuse, that they destroyed utterly.</em></ref> And [[God]] told Samuel that He regretted making [[Saul]] king because he stopped following His commandments. Samuel was also disappointed with the way the king of [[Israel]] acted.<ref><strong>1 Samuel 15:10-11</strong> <em>Then came the word of the Lord unto Samuel, saying, It repenteth me that I have set up Saul to be king: for he is turned back from following me, and hath not performed my commandments. And it grieved Samuel; and he cried unto the Lord all night.</em></ref></p> | + | <p>[[God]] remembered what Amalek did to his people [[Israel]] and sent Samuel to [[Saul]] with the instructions to smite all Amalek with his possessions, sparing nothing.<ref>1 Samuel 15:1-3</ref> Once again, [[Saul]] did not do all that was commanded, for he spared [[Agag]] the king of Amalek and the best cattle; he did not utterly destroy them.<ref>1 Samuel 15:8-9</ref> And [[God]] told Samuel that He regretted making [[Saul]] king because he stopped following His commandments. Samuel was also disappointed with the way the king of [[Israel]] acted.<ref>1 Samuel 15:10-11</ref></p> |
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| − | <p>Samuel confronted [[Saul]] and asked him why some of the cattle and sheep of the Amalekites were spared, and the king said the people wanted to offer the best cattle and sheep to [[God]], but the rest they utterly destroyed.<ref><strong>1 Samuel 15:13-15</strong> <em>And Samuel came to Saul: and Saul said unto him, Blessed be thou of the Lord: I have performed the commandment of the Lord. And Samuel said, What meaneth then this bleating of the sheep in mine ears, and the lowing of the oxen which I hear? And Saul said, They have brought them from the Amalekites: for the people spared the best of the sheep and of the oxen, to sacrifice unto the Lord thy God; and the rest we have utterly destroyed.</em></ref> Samuel also told [[Saul]] that when he thought less of himself [[God]] lifted him up to be king of [[Israel]].<ref><strong>1 Samuel 15:17</strong> <em>And Samuel said, When thou wast little in thine own sight, wast thou not made the head of the tribes of Israel, and the Lord anointed thee king over Israel?</em></ref> Then he asked him why he did not fully obey [[God]] concerning the Amalekites. [[Saul]] answered by claiming that he did obey what [[God]] said and made excuses blaming the people.<ref><strong>1 Samuel 15:19-21</strong> <em>Wherefore then didst thou not obey the voice of the Lord, but didst fly upon the spoil, and didst evil in the sight of the Lord? And Saul said unto Samuel, Yea, I have obeyed the voice of the Lord, and have gone the way which the Lord sent me, and have brought Agag the king of Amalek, and have utterly destroyed the Amalekites.<br>But the people took of the spoil, sheep and oxen, the chief of the things which should have been utterly destroyed, to sacrifice unto the Lord thy God in Gilgal.</em></ref> The king realized the seriousness of his sin after Samuel told him that [[God]] had rejected him, and he pleaded with Samuel to forgive his mistake, but the prophet refused.<ref><strong>1 Samuel 15:23-26</strong> <em>For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the Lord, he hath also rejected thee from being king. And Saul said unto Samuel, I have sinned: for I have transgressed the commandment of the Lord, and thy words: because I feared the people, and obeyed their voice.<br> Now therefore, I pray thee, pardon my sin, and turn again with me, that I may worship the Lord. And Samuel said unto Saul, I will not return with thee: for thou hast rejected the word of the Lord, and the Lord hath rejected thee from being king over Israel.</em></ref> When Samuel was leaving, [[Saul]] grabbed his garment, and it tore; Samuel told him that his kingdom was torn from that moment and someone better than him would take over as the new king.<ref><strong>1 Samuel 15:27-28</strong> <em>And as Samuel turned about to go away, he laid hold upon the skirt of his mantle, and it rent. And Samuel said unto him, The Lord hath rent the kingdom of Israel from thee this day, and hath given it to a neighbour of thine, that is better than thou.</em></ref></p> | + | <p>Samuel confronted [[Saul]] and asked him why some of the cattle and sheep of the Amalekites were spared, and the king said the people wanted to offer the best cattle and sheep to [[God]], but the rest they utterly destroyed.<ref>1 Samuel 15:13-15</ref> Samuel also told [[Saul]] that when he thought less of himself [[God]] lifted him up to be king of [[Israel]].<ref>1 Samuel 15:17</ref> Then he asked him why he did not fully obey [[God]] concerning the Amalekites. [[Saul]] answered by claiming that he did obey what [[God]] said and made excuses blaming the people.<ref>1 Samuel 15:19-21</ref> The king realized the seriousness of his sin after Samuel told him that [[God]] had rejected him, and he pleaded with Samuel to forgive his mistake, but the prophet refused.<ref>1 Samuel 15:23-26</ref> When Samuel was leaving, [[Saul]] grabbed his garment, and it tore; Samuel told him that his kingdom was torn from that moment and someone better than him would take over as the new king.<ref>1 Samuel 15:27-28</ref></p> |
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| − | <p>Then Samuel finished the job which [[Saul]] failed to do and killed the king of Amalek.<ref><strong>1 Samuel 15:32-33</strong> <em>Then said Samuel, Bring ye hither to me Agag the king of the Amalekites. And Agag came unto him delicately. And Agag said, Surely the bitterness of death is past. And Samuel said, As thy sword hath made women childless, so shall thy mother be childless among women. And Samuel hewed Agag in pieces before the Lord in Gilgal.</em></ref> After that he went back to his hometown [[Ramah]], and that was the last time he saw [[Saul]].<ref><strong>1 Samuel 15:34-35</strong> <em>Then Samuel went to Ramah; and Saul went up to his house to Gibeah of Saul. And Samuel came no more to see Saul until the day of his death: nevertheless Samuel mourned for Saul: and the Lord repented that he had made Saul king over Israel.</em></ref> However, there is a unique event recorded whereby Samuel did see [[Saul]] again, on the day of [[Saul]]’s death. The day before [[Saul]] died, he found a witch and held a séance with her to talk to the dead Samuel. And Samuel came up out of the flames and rebuked [[Saul]] for disturbing him and finally prophesied his and his son’s death.<ref><strong>1 Samuel 28:15-19</strong> <em>And Samuel said to Saul, Why hast thou disquieted me, to bring me up? And Saul answered, I am sore distressed; for the Philistines make war against me, and God is departed from me, and answereth me no more, neither by prophets, nor by dreams: therefore I have called thee, that thou mayest make known unto me what I shall do.<br>Then said Samuel, Wherefore then dost thou ask of me, seeing the Lord is departed from thee, and is become thine enemy? And the Lord hath done to him, as he spake by me: for the Lord hath rent the kingdom out of thine hand, and given it to thy neighbour, even to David: Because thou obeyedst not the voice of the Lord, nor executedst his fierce wrath upon Amalek, therefore hath the Lord done this thing unto thee this day. Moreover the Lord will also deliver Israel with thee into the hand of the Philistines: and to morrow shalt thou and thy sons be with me: the Lord also shall deliver the host of Israel into the hand of the Philistines.</em></ref></p> | + | <p>Then Samuel finished the job which [[Saul]] failed to do and killed the king of Amalek.<ref>1 Samuel 15:32-33</ref> After that he went back to his hometown [[Ramah]], and that was the last time he saw [[Saul]].<ref>1 Samuel 15:34-35</ref> However, there is a unique event recorded whereby Samuel did see [[Saul]] again, on the day of [[Saul]]’s death. The day before [[Saul]] died, he found a witch and held a séance with her to talk to the dead Samuel. And Samuel came up out of the flames and rebuked [[Saul]] for disturbing him and finally prophesied his and his son’s death.<ref>1 Samuel 28:15-19</ref></p> |
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| | ===Samuel Anoints [[David]]=== | | ===Samuel Anoints [[David]]=== |
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| − | <p>While Samuel was still mourning [[Saul]] for being rejected as king, [[God]] told the prophet to forget about him and go to the house of [[Jesse]], where he would find the next king of [[Israel]].<ref><strong>1 Samuel 16:1</strong> <em>And the Lord said unto Samuel, How long wilt thou mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel? fill thine horn with oil, and go, I will send thee to Jesse the Bethlehemite: for I have provided me a king among his sons.</em></ref></p> | + | <p>While Samuel was still mourning [[Saul]] for being rejected as king, [[God]] told the prophet to forget about him and go to the house of [[Jesse]], where he would find the next king of [[Israel]].<ref>1 Samuel 16:1</ref></p> |
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| − | <p>Samuel feared that [[Saul]] would kill him when he found out, but [[God]] told him that his visit would be as a priest making a sacrifice. He was to invite [[Jesse]] to the meal, and [[God]] would show him the man that he shall anoint.<ref><strong>1 Samuel 16:2-3</strong> <em>And Samuel said, How can I go? if Saul hear it, he will kill me. And the Lord said, Take an heifer with thee, and say, I am come to sacrifice to the Lord. And call Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will shew thee what thou shalt do: and thou shalt anoint unto me him whom I name unto thee.</em></ref></p> | + | <p>Samuel feared that [[Saul]] would kill him when he found out, but [[God]] told him that his visit would be as a priest making a sacrifice. He was to invite [[Jesse]] to the meal, and [[God]] would show him the man that he shall anoint.<ref>1 Samuel 16:2-3</ref></p> |
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| − | <p>When he arrived in [[Bethlehem]], the elders of the town gathered with [[Jesse]] and his sons.<ref><strong>1 Samuel 16:5</strong> <em>And he said, Peaceably: I am come to sacrifice unto the Lord: sanctify yourselves, and come with me to the sacrifice. And he sanctified Jesse and his sons, and called them to the sacrifice.</em></ref> Samuel thought [[Eliab]] was the chosen king because of his height, but [[God]] informed him that it was not him. [[Jesse]] called seven of his sons before the prophet, but none of them was chosen.<ref><strong>1 Samuel 16:6-10</strong> <em>And it came to pass, when they were come, that he looked on Eliab, and said, Surely the Lord's anointed is before him. But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart. Then Jesse called Abinadab, and made him pass before Samuel. And he said, Neither hath the Lord chosen this. Then Jesse made Shammah to pass by. And he said, Neither hath the Lord chosen this.<br>Again, Jesse made seven of his sons to pass before Samuel. And Samuel said unto Jesse, The Lord hath not chosen these.</em></ref> But one of [[Jesse]]’s son was not present, as he was taking care of his father’s sheep, and the prophet asked to see him. And when he was brought in, [[God]] told Samuel that this was the man He had chosen.<ref><strong>1 Samuel 16:11-12</strong> <em>And Samuel said unto Jesse, Are here all thy children? And he said, There remaineth yet the youngest, and, behold, he keepeth the sheep. And Samuel said unto Jesse, Send and fetch him: for we will not sit down till he come hither. And he sent, and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, and withal of a beautiful countenance, and goodly to look to. And the Lord said, Arise, anoint him: for this</em></ref> So Samuel anointed him and went back to [[Ramah]]. Samuel died and was buried in his house at [[Ramah]].<ref><strong>1 Samuel 25:1</strong> <em>And Samuel died; and all the Israelites were gathered together, and lamented him, and buried him in his house at Ramah. And David arose, and went down to the wilderness of Paran.</em></ref></p> | + | <p>When he arrived in [[Bethlehem]], the elders of the town gathered with [[Jesse]] and his sons.<ref>1 Samuel 16:5</ref> Samuel thought [[Eliab]] was the chosen king because of his height, but [[God]] informed him that it was not him. [[Jesse]] called seven of his sons before the prophet, but none of them was chosen.<ref>1 Samuel 16:6-10</ref> But one of [[Jesse]]’s son was not present, as he was taking care of his father’s sheep, and the prophet asked to see him. And when he was brought in, [[God]] told Samuel that this was the man He had chosen.<ref>1 Samuel 16:11-12</ref> So Samuel anointed him and went back to [[Ramah]]. Samuel died and was buried in his house at [[Ramah]].<ref>1 Samuel 25:1</ref></p> |
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| | ==The Symbolism Of Samuel== | | ==The Symbolism Of Samuel== |
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| | <p>Everyone knows that [[David]] is a type of [[Christ]]. Using this information, you can discover who Samuel is a type of.</p> | | <p>Everyone knows that [[David]] is a type of [[Christ]]. Using this information, you can discover who Samuel is a type of.</p> |
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| − | <p>[[David]] was “a man after mine own heart” <strong>(Acts 13:22)</strong>, meaning that [[Jesus]] had found a man after His own heart in [[David]]. Or you might say that [[Jesus]] was a kindred spirit with [[David]]. As an added reason to believe that they are “types” of one another, we have the fact that almost every psalm of [[David]] contains at least one clear prophecy of [[Christ]], and of course, both were born in [[Bethlehem]]<ref><strong>1 Samuel 16:1</strong> <em>And the Lord said unto Samuel, How long wilt thou mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel? fill thine horn with oil, and go, I will send thee to Jesse the Bethlehemite: for I have provided me a king among his sons.</em></ref><ref><strong>Luke 2:4</strong> <em>And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)</em></ref>.</p> | + | <p>[[David]] was “a man after mine own heart” <strong>(Acts 13:22)</strong>, meaning that [[Jesus]] had found a man after His own heart in [[David]]. Or you might say that [[Jesus]] was a kindred spirit with [[David]]. As an added reason to believe that they are “types” of one another, we have the fact that almost every psalm of [[David]] contains at least one clear prophecy of [[Christ]], and of course, both were born in [[Bethlehem]]<ref>1 Samuel 16:1</ref><ref>Luke 2:4</ref>.</p> |
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| | <p>[[David]] was anointed by “the Lord [[God]] of [[Israel]]” <strong>(2 Samuel 12:7)</strong>. Samuel, of course, performed the anointing on the Lord’s behalf, but it was the Lord who had chosen [[David]]. The word “[[messiah]]” is an untranslated [[Hebrew]] word that means “anointed”, so technically anyone who was anointed was a [[messiah]] – prophets, priests, kings, etc. The Greek word “[[Christ]]” also means “anointed one”.</p> | | <p>[[David]] was anointed by “the Lord [[God]] of [[Israel]]” <strong>(2 Samuel 12:7)</strong>. Samuel, of course, performed the anointing on the Lord’s behalf, but it was the Lord who had chosen [[David]]. The word “[[messiah]]” is an untranslated [[Hebrew]] word that means “anointed”, so technically anyone who was anointed was a [[messiah]] – prophets, priests, kings, etc. The Greek word “[[Christ]]” also means “anointed one”.</p> |
Samuel (Hebrew: שְׁמוּאֵל) was the last of the judges and a distinguished prophet. He gave the Hebrews their first kings, Saul and David. He was the son of Elkanah and Hannah, who was previously barren. While they lived in mount Ephraim, Elkanah is listed in the genealogy of the tribe of Levi, of the sons of Kohath (1 Chronicles 6:22-28).
In symbol, Samuel represents God the Father.
Etymology
According to Strong’s Hebrew Concordance Samuel means “his name is of God”. The Holman Bible Dictionary states that Samuel was a “[p]ersonal name in the Ancient Near East meaning, ‘Sumu is God’ but understood in Israel as ‘The name is God’, ‘God is exalted’, or ‘son of God’.” [1]
Life Summary
Samuel’s mother Hannah was previously barren and as a condition for being given a son, she promised to dedicate him to the Lord. Samuel began to serve in the temple after he had been weaned under Eli the priest.
When Israel was defeated by the Philistines, the ark of God was taken. When Eli heard the news, he fell and died, and Samuel took over Eli’s role. His hometown was Ramah, but he also traveled to Bethel, Mizpeh, and Gilgal to judge and admonish the people.
When Samuel was old, he appointed his sons to judge, but they were corrupt, and the people demanded a king like the nations around them. Samuel warned them about the things the king would require of them, but the people still rejected God from being their King. God chose Saul of Benjamin to be Israel’s king, and Samuel anointed him in Mizpeh.
Later God sent Saul against the Amelekites, telling him to wholly destroy every person and all livestock. But Saul kept back the best of the cattle and sheep for the Lord, and he let Agag the king of the Amalekites live. Samuel confronted him, but Saul believed he had performed the will of the Lord. Samuel reminded him that “to obey is better than sacrifice” (1 Samuel 15:22), and told him that because he had rejected God’s commandments, God had rejected him from being king over Israel.
Samuel later anointed David son of Jesse to be king of Israel. He returned to Ramah and presumably resumed his service to the people there until he died.
Early Life
Samuel’s father was Elkanah, and he had two wives named Hannah and Peninnah. They were from a place called Ramathaim-zophim, of mount Ephraim.[2] Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children because she was barren.[3] Hannah asked God to bless her with a child and made a vow that if God would give her a child, she would offer him to the Lord all the days of his life.[4] God later gave her a child, whom she named Samuel saying “because I have asked him of the LORD” (1 Samuel 1:20).
His parents kept the Lord’s yearly feasts mentioned in Leviticus 23.[5] But when Samuel was born his mother Hannah did not make the trips until he was a bit older, because he was still a suckling. When the boy was weaned, she took him to the temple where he was to apprentice under Eli who was the priest in the temple of the Lord.[6]
“Samuel grew on and was in favor both with God and men” (1 Samuel 2:26) and “all Israel... knew that Samuel was established to be a prophet of the LORD” (1 Samuel 3:20).
One night while both Eli and Samuel were asleep the Lord called Samuel and he woke up thinking it was the priest who called him; this happened three times. And Eli understood the third time that it was the Lord who was calling the child. The priest told the child that when the Lord called again, he should respond by saying “Speak, Lord; for thy servant heareth” (1 Samuel 3:3-9). When God called again as other times, the boy answered, and God told him what He was going to do to Israel and Eli’s house. He was angry at Eli’s sons who had “made themselves vile” and at Eli who had not restrained them (1 Samuel 3:13). After hearing this Samuel went back to sleep and told Eli in the morning everything that God told him.[7]
Samuel Becomes a Judge
Later, Israel went out to war against the Philistines, and Israel was defeated.[8] Eli’s sons were killed and the ark of God was taken.[9] One of the soldiers managed to escape and reported what happened to Eli. When he heard that the ark of God had been taken, he fell from his seat, broke his neck, and died.[10]
However, the ark of God brought a curse upon the land of the Philistines for seven months.[11] They returned it back to the people of Israel and it abode in Kirjath-jearim where Eleazar the son of Abinadab took care of it.[12]
Samuel took over as judge and priest after Eli’s death. He traveled extensively dealing with matters in Bethel, Mizpeh, Gilgal, and Ramah his birthplace.[13] He urged the children of Israel to turn from their idols and return to God, who would save them from the Philistines; the children agreed and fasted, and God delivered them from their enemy.[14]
Samuel Anoints Saul
When Samuel was old, he appointed his sons Joel and Abiah to judge Israel. They were judges in Beer-sheba.[15] His sons did not follow their father’s teaching; they “took bribes and perverted judgment” (1 Samuel 8:3). The elders of Israel were not happy about this, so they complained to Samuel and asked him to give them a king like other nations.[16]
Samuel did not like the idea, but God instructed him to give them a king, but also to “protest solemnly unto them, and shew them the manner of the king that shall reign over them” (1 Samuel 8:6-9). God sent them Saul of the tribe of Benjamin.[17] There was a special sacrifice of the people that day, and Samuel invited Saul to join him for the banquet, giving him the chiefest seat and the best portion of food.[18] The next morning Samuel called Saul so they could talk again privately before he left.[19]
Then Samuel took a flask of oil and anointed him to be king of Israel.[20] He gave him instructions and sent him away. Samuel called a meeting with the people to Mizpeh to tell them God’s message.[21] He showed the people that God had chosen a man from the tribe of Benjamin to be their king since they had rejected Him. Saul was found to be the chosen one, and he tried to hide himself in vain.[22] After the inauguration Samuel laid out how the kingdom would be structured.[23]
Samuel renewed the kingdom with Saul in Gilgal after Saul had defeated Nahash the Ammonite, who had come against Jabesh-gilead and threatened to put out the right eyes of all the men of Israel. At the renewal of the kingdom, Saul was made king before the Lord, sacrifices were made, and there was great rejoicing.[24]
Samuel Is Displeased With Saul
After Saul’s son Jonathan attacked a garrison of the Philistines at Geba, the Philistines challenged Israel at Gilgal.[25] Samuel had previously instructed Saul to wait seven days for him and not to engage the enemy until he arrived to present the offering to God.[26]. But Saul took upon himself to offer the offering instead of Samuel because Samuel delayed coming.[27] Immediately after Saul had offered the offering, Samuel arrived and rebuked him for his foolish act; he told him that God would have established his kingdom forever, but now his kingdom would not continue.[28] Because he did not obey what was commanded, God was going to look for another man after His own heart who would be king of Israel.[29]
God remembered what Amalek did to his people Israel and sent Samuel to Saul with the instructions to smite all Amalek with his possessions, sparing nothing.[30] Once again, Saul did not do all that was commanded, for he spared Agag the king of Amalek and the best cattle; he did not utterly destroy them.[31] And God told Samuel that He regretted making Saul king because he stopped following His commandments. Samuel was also disappointed with the way the king of Israel acted.[32]
Samuel confronted Saul and asked him why some of the cattle and sheep of the Amalekites were spared, and the king said the people wanted to offer the best cattle and sheep to God, but the rest they utterly destroyed.[33] Samuel also told Saul that when he thought less of himself God lifted him up to be king of Israel.[34] Then he asked him why he did not fully obey God concerning the Amalekites. Saul answered by claiming that he did obey what God said and made excuses blaming the people.[35] The king realized the seriousness of his sin after Samuel told him that God had rejected him, and he pleaded with Samuel to forgive his mistake, but the prophet refused.[36] When Samuel was leaving, Saul grabbed his garment, and it tore; Samuel told him that his kingdom was torn from that moment and someone better than him would take over as the new king.[37]
Then Samuel finished the job which Saul failed to do and killed the king of Amalek.[38] After that he went back to his hometown Ramah, and that was the last time he saw Saul.[39] However, there is a unique event recorded whereby Samuel did see Saul again, on the day of Saul’s death. The day before Saul died, he found a witch and held a séance with her to talk to the dead Samuel. And Samuel came up out of the flames and rebuked Saul for disturbing him and finally prophesied his and his son’s death.[40]
Samuel Anoints David
While Samuel was still mourning Saul for being rejected as king, God told the prophet to forget about him and go to the house of Jesse, where he would find the next king of Israel.[41]
Samuel feared that Saul would kill him when he found out, but God told him that his visit would be as a priest making a sacrifice. He was to invite Jesse to the meal, and God would show him the man that he shall anoint.[42]
When he arrived in Bethlehem, the elders of the town gathered with Jesse and his sons.[43] Samuel thought Eliab was the chosen king because of his height, but God informed him that it was not him. Jesse called seven of his sons before the prophet, but none of them was chosen.[44] But one of Jesse’s son was not present, as he was taking care of his father’s sheep, and the prophet asked to see him. And when he was brought in, God told Samuel that this was the man He had chosen.[45] So Samuel anointed him and went back to Ramah. Samuel died and was buried in his house at Ramah.[46]
The Symbolism Of Samuel
Everyone knows that David is a type of Christ. Using this information, you can discover who Samuel is a type of.
David was “a man after mine own heart” (Acts 13:22), meaning that Jesus had found a man after His own heart in David. Or you might say that Jesus was a kindred spirit with David. As an added reason to believe that they are “types” of one another, we have the fact that almost every psalm of David contains at least one clear prophecy of Christ, and of course, both were born in Bethlehem[47][48].
David was anointed by “the Lord God of Israel” (2 Samuel 12:7). Samuel, of course, performed the anointing on the Lord’s behalf, but it was the Lord who had chosen David. The word “messiah” is an untranslated Hebrew word that means “anointed”, so technically anyone who was anointed was a messiah – prophets, priests, kings, etc. The Greek word “Christ” also means “anointed one”.
Another thing Jesus and David have in common is that they were both anointed by God. Compare 2 Samuel 12:7 and Acts 4:24-27. It stands to reason that since they are types of each other, and they were anointed by the same person, then the physical person who performed the anointing is a type of the spiritual person who performed the anointing. So we can infer that Samuel represented God the Father.
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References
- ↑ "Samuel – Holman Bible Dictionary". StudyLight.org. Retrieved 14 February 2018.
- ↑ 1 Samuel 1:1
- ↑ 1 Samuel 1:2
- ↑ 1 Samuel 1:11
- ↑ 1 Samuel 1:3, 21
- ↑ 1 Samuel 1:9, 3:1
- ↑ 1 Samuel 3:10-18
- ↑ 1 Samuel 4:1-2
- ↑ 1 Samuel 4:11
- ↑ 1 Samuel 4:12-18
- ↑ 1 Samuel 5-6
- ↑ 1 Samuel 7:1
- ↑ 1 Samuel 7:15-17
- ↑ 1 Samuel 7:3-17
- ↑ 1 Samuel 8:1-2
- ↑ 1 Samuel 8:5
- ↑ 1 Samuel 9:15-17
- ↑ 1 Samuel 9:12, 19, 22-24
- ↑ 1 Samuel 9:26-27
- ↑ 1 Samuel 10:1
- ↑ 1 Samuel 10:17
- ↑ 1 Samuel 10:20-24
- ↑ 1 Samuel 10:25
- ↑ 1 Samuel 11
- ↑ 1 Samuel 13:3-5
- ↑ 1 Samuel 13:8
- ↑ 1 Samuel 13:9
- ↑ 1 Samuel 13:11-14
- ↑ 1 Samuel 13:14
- ↑ 1 Samuel 15:1-3
- ↑ 1 Samuel 15:8-9
- ↑ 1 Samuel 15:10-11
- ↑ 1 Samuel 15:13-15
- ↑ 1 Samuel 15:17
- ↑ 1 Samuel 15:19-21
- ↑ 1 Samuel 15:23-26
- ↑ 1 Samuel 15:27-28
- ↑ 1 Samuel 15:32-33
- ↑ 1 Samuel 15:34-35
- ↑ 1 Samuel 28:15-19
- ↑ 1 Samuel 16:1
- ↑ 1 Samuel 16:2-3
- ↑ 1 Samuel 16:5
- ↑ 1 Samuel 16:6-10
- ↑ 1 Samuel 16:11-12
- ↑ 1 Samuel 25:1
- ↑ 1 Samuel 16:1
- ↑ Luke 2:4
