READ: 1 Samuel 7:2 – 8:22
Twenty years has passed since
the story involving the Ark of the Covenant. Samuel has grown and is known as a
judge in Israel. True to Israel’s pattern as seen in the book of Judges, the
nation has brought foreign gods and pagan worship into their land and as a
result, God has allowed them to be oppressed by the Philistines. Samuel comes
to the people, urging them to repent – to put away their idols, direct their
hearts to the Lord and serve Him alone.
Again, we see the author of 1 Samuel making it clear that Yahweh will not
accept second place in Israel.
For most of Samuel’s life he has
acted as the priest and last judge of Israel. Chapter 7 gives us a glimpse into
his position as a judge. Travelling in a circuit from Ramah to Bethel to Gilgal
and to Mizpah, he would stand as a judge for the people, mediating disputes and
whatever else came up. But he is also the main leader of all Israel. He is the
one the people cry out to when they need governance and guidance, be it
militarily or spiritually. Chapter 7 is the only story we have of Samuel
between childhood and old age, and from it we can learn a few things about Samuel’s
godly leadership, even as a young leader: 1) He had a fear of the Lord. He knew
that a righteous and godly life was one that worshiped Yahweh only. 2) He
understood God’s heart towards the repentant. He knew God to be a merciful and
loving God towards those who repent of their rebellion, and so he could
wholeheartedly encourage the people to turn from their sin and call out to God.
3) He was an intercessor. With a heart of compassion, he willingly cried out to
God on behalf of the people of Israel. 4) He knew God to be a God of salvation.
While the Philistines are drawing near to attack Israel, Samuel is burning a
sacrifice and waiting upon the Lord. And what happens? God wins the battle for
Israel that day – “But the LORD thundered with a mighty sound that day against
the Philistines and threw them into confusion, and they were routed before
Israel.” The battle was the Lord’s! 5) Like the great leaders before him,
Samuel attempted to teach the people to remember the works of the Lord. Like
the forefathers of Israel and the leaders Moses and Joshua, Samuel knew that to
remember the works of the Lord was a vital step in keeping His commands.
And so, given these qualities
of Samuel, there is a surprising turn of events in chapter 8. The people make
demands for a king. They say it is because Samuel’s sons do not walk in the
ways of the Lord, but that is merely an excuse for their selfish desires. The
Judgeship was never a thing of hereditary succession – God raised up judges for
Israel on His own accord. The people want a king so that they can be like the
other nations. This is in direct disregard to their very beginnings. They were
founded as God’s very Own people. Raised up from a promise (God’s covenant with
Abraham), they multiplied under God’s providence, were delivered by God’s
power, sustained by His provision and brought into Canaan under His precedence.
Yet in their pride, they want to dismiss this awesome privilege and be just
like everyone else. God tells Samuel the truth about what the people are
saying: “The have rejected Me from being
King over them.”
Their faux pas seems stupid to
us, yet how often have our requests and complaints and actions shown us
disgruntled and wanting out of where God has put us? No, we are not that much
different than our ancient brothers and sisters. Today, we are not a nation
under God, but as followers of Christ, we are members of His body; together we
make up a corporate body. As a Christian, your body is His temple and you have
been given His Holy Spirit to dwell in you. You belong to Christ and He is your
King – your functional Lord. As
Israel was clearly different from surrounding nations, our Spirit-filled lives
should be clearly different from the lives of surrounding non-believers and
lukewarm Christians. Christ is our King, and as His people we should rejoice in
this wonderful privilege!
JOURNALING
AND PRAYER
1. Who
is someone that you lead? What is something you can personally learn from
Samuel’s leadership?
2. Ask
Jesus to show you one way that your life is different from the lukewarm and
non-Christian people around you. Ask Him how this pleases Him.
3. Ask
the Holy Spirit to show you anything in your heart that resents His Kingship in
your life. If you see areas of resentment or rebellion, confess these to Him
and recommit yourself to His Lordship. Ask Him to fill you with His Spirit so
that you can walk in His ways today.
