The Life
of Samuel
A study of the life
and character of Samuel
1 Samuel 1-25
Introduction
Who is Samuel? Why
was he so important? After all, two books of the Bible were named after
him. What can we learn today from Samuel's life? He lived at such a
crucial time in the history of Israel as a nation. Beginning with his
godly mother, I want to take a magnifying glass to the first half of the Book of
Samuel. My goal is to pinpoint values we can learn from in the life
and character of Samuel.
(4/1/04) Day One: Life of Samuel (chapter 1)--Dedication
Here's something that makes me think. Samuel's mother, Hannah, was dedicated to her God. Even though God closed her womb, she trusted God that He would give her a son--which she promised to give back to God to be used by Him to accomplish His purpose. Would I be willing to give something so precious as my child to God? What about my talents, gifts, or time? Am I dedicated to God as Hannah was? I pray that God would help me be dedicated to His purpose for my life!
(4/2/04) Day Two: The Life of Samuel (Samuel 2)--Faithfulness
Even as a young child, Samuel was a faithful servant of the LORD. He ministered before the LORD and was a good testimony and example in the temple. While Eli's sons were disobedient and wicked, Samuel was obedient as he served God and "grew in stature, and in favor with the LORD." It's easy to get caught up in the politics of ministry or service to God. This may be a Sunday School lesson we teach toddlers, yet how important is it for us big kids today? It's a simple, refreshing reminder of faithfulness. Young Samuel was a good example: he ministered before the LORD. All questions layed aside, do I simply minister before the LORD out of the faithfulness of my heart? God help me to be a faithful servant like young Samuel.
(4/3/04) Day Three: Life of Samuel (Samuel
3)--Availability
The LORD, the God of Israel, called out to Samuel three times while he was lying down to sleep. To each call, Samuel replied, "here I am!" but to Eli instead of God.
1 Samuel 3:7 tells us that Samuel did not yet know the LORD, implying a familiar
knowledge on a personal level of the supernatural revelation of God. Eli told
young Samuel to reply "Speak LORD," so that when God called a fourth time, Samuel says, "Speak, for your servant hears."
Could you imagine God calling your name? Samuel, a 12 year old boy,
listened to the LORD. The message that he got was not the easiest of
messages (it was a warning against his "mentor" Eli), yet Samuel hid
it in his heart. Scared, yet available, when Eli asked him what God told
him, young Samuel spoke the Word of God and Eli knew his message was
authentic. Wow! The end of the chapter states, "So Samuel grew
and the LORD was with him...and all Israel...knew that Samuel had been
established as a prophet of the LORD" (3:19-20). Even as a young boy,
Samuel was available. Five times Samuel replies, "Here I
am." How willing am I to reply, "Here I am" next time I'm
called? Whether is by a loved-one, a friend, an elder, ministry, or
whatever it may be, when an opportunity to serve calls my name, like Samuel, I
want to be available.
(4/5/04) Day Four: Life of
Samuel (Samuel 4:1-7:14)--Shepherding
The Israelites go to battle with the Philistines, and boy did they get
beat. Israel was in bad shape both physically and spiritually.
Hoping it would bring them success, Israel marches into the next battle with the
Ark of the Covenant. It brought them death. 30,000 soldiers dead,
including Eli's sons Hophini and Phinehas. In fact, the Ark was taken by
the Philistines and Eli, the priest, died over the news. God brought the
Ark back to the rightful place--but only if Israel would do the same with their
hearts. With Israel in bad shape and Eli and company dead, Samuel steps up and takes a stand.
He pleaded with Israel to put away their false gods and serve the one and only
true God. Amazingly, the people listened and obeyed. But Samuel
didn't stop there. He prayed for them. He sacrificed for them.
Israel went to battle and God defeated the Philistines. When it comes to
dealing with a tough crowd, Samuel was surrounded by them. Yet, he
shepherds them. Even if the people aren't following God or they look tough
on the outside, God help us shepherd your people as Samuel did.
(4/6/04) Day Five: Life of
Samuel (Samuel 7:15-17)--Priority
The text says Samuel judged Israel "all the days of his life."
From childhood to adulthood to his last days on earth, Samuel remained faithful
to serving His God. He was busy too. But his influence was great--he
traveled to a circuit of cities each year judging Israel. "But he always
returned to Ramah, for his home was there" (vs. 17). His family was
there. His relatives were there. The people he loved dearly, his mom
who had a profound spiritual influence on his life and his dad, were all there
in his hometown, his birthplace. Even though his influence was
large-scale, he spent quality time in his hometown with the people he
loved. Don't get so caught up in your ministry that you forget you have a
ministry with the people you love: your family, your relatives, your loved
ones. Samuel lived a life of priority and I pray that we too can do the
same.
(4/8/04) Day Six: Life of
Samuel (Samuel 8)--Dealing with Disappointment
When you're the religious leader, you've got it coming. Samuel's sons fell
away from serving the Lord and the people noticed. But the people of
Israel themselves were no different. They confronted Samuel and
complained. In fact, they wanted a king. Because Samuel's sons
failed to walk in the ways of their father, Israel wanted to have a king like
everyone else. What did Samuel do? He listened and Prayed.
That's what a faithful religious leader does when he faces disappointment.
Samuel prayed and God encouraged him. The people didn't reject Samuel,
they rejected God. Samuel listened to God and did as He commanded.
The people got the king. Wow. I would be frustrated, wouldn't
you? But Samuel served God and remained faithful, even in times of
disappointment. God help us to be faithful when we face
disappointment.
(4/12/04) Day Seven: Life of
Samuel (Samuel 9)--Respect
Here's the man of God whom all the people knew and followed and yet the people
desire a king. God gives in to the people and tells Samuel to anoint Saul,
from Benjamin, the least of the tribes of Israel, king.
Jealousy? Not a chance. The opposite happens. When Samuel met
Saul on the road, Samuel honored and respected him. He asked him to eat
with him and spend two days with him. He gave him the place of honor at
the feast and fed him the choicest of foods. Wow, now that's a tough
job. Where I would feel bought-out or betrayed, Samuel obeyed God and
respected Him and people. What a good model for leaders today. God's
plan is always perfect and unless we trust Him, we won't be able to respect
others as Samuel did.