God Prepares a Leader

GOLDEN TEXT: “And the child Samuel grew on, and was in favor both with the Lord, and also with men.” —I Samuel 2:26

I SAMUEL 1:20, 24-28

THE caption of our lesson is a very appropriate description of the manner in which the Prophet Samuel was raised up to serve God in the affairs of Israel. Even the circumstances leading up to his birth were no doubt by divine appointment. Samuel was born in answer to the prayer of his mother, Hannah; and in keeping with her vow, he was given to the Lord at a very early age.

The name “Samuel” means “heard of God” and probably his mother began to impress upon his young mind as soon as possible what she had promised to the Lord concerning him. Thus he would be inclined toward the Lord, and to the doing of his will. Christian parents have a great responsibility along this line. If they delay the instruction of their children in the ways of the Lord until outside thoughts and influences have a chance to impress them, it may be too late.

The boy Samuel was brought to the house of the Lord in Shiloh, where Eli served as priest. His mother knew of no other way to give him into the Lord’s service than to leave him in the hands of the priest, where he could be a sort of helper in whatever chores there were to be done. Under the direction of Eli, Samuel would also receive good training in the law of the Lord, and in its proper application.

The King James Version quotes Hannah as saying to Eli that she had “lent” Samuel to the Lord. The marginal translation, however, is evidently the better one, and it reads, “I have returned him whom I have obtained by petition.” This is a beautiful sentiment of dedication to the Lord, a returning to him of that which she realized did not properly belong to her, but to the Giver.

As Christians we should apply this principle with respect to all the “things” which we possess, for they have all been given to us by the Lord. All that we have and are—even life itself—properly belongs to him, and should be returned to him in the spirit of full consecration.

Samuel was surely old enough when returned to the Lord and placed in the hands of Eli, to understand the significance of what his mother was doing, and it must have made a lasting impression upon his young mind. Our Golden Text states that he “grew on, and was in favor both with the Lord, and also with men.” A similar expression is recorded concerning the boy Jesus. They were both likeable boys, and both had it in their hearts to serve and please the Lord.

I SAMUEL 3:1,16; 4:1

THE Word of the Lord was “precious,” the record states, and evidently because “there was no open vision.” It was precious, therefore, because it was scarce. The thought of “open vision” is seemingly that there was no general diffusion of the Lord’s Word. This was because there was no true prophet of the Lord in the land. But in Samuel the Lord had raised up a prophet, and now, even though he was still very young, the Lord was beginning to use him. Apparently the first “word” Samuel received from the Lord was the message concerning Eli’s sons.

This message was given to him at night. He had retired, but apparently was still awake when the Lord spoke to him. He thought it was Eli calling, and he answered, “Here am I.” But Eli told him he had not called, and to go back to bed. Again he heard the voice, and again he reported to Eli, and was told the same thing.

The difficulty was that “Samuel did not yet know the Lord, neither was the Word of the Lord yet revealed unto him.” (ch. 3:7) When he heard the voice the third time and reported to Eli, the priest concluded that it must be the Lord speaking to this young servant, so instructed him how to reply in the event he was spoken to again.

It was not long before he heard his name called again, so he replied as Eli had directed, “Speak, Lord; for thy servant heareth.” (ch. 3:9,10) Then the Lord gave Samuel a very important message concerning Eli’s wicked sons. Eli’s instructions to Samuel represent an important principle in our relationship to God as his servants—that is, the willingness to listen attentively when he speaks to us. When fellowshiping with the Lord, it is best to let him do most of the talking, for otherwise we will not understand his will concerning us.

The first message Samuel received was not a pleasant one for him to deliver. This was a test of his faithfulness to the Lord. He probably loved Eli, and would have preferred not to have given him the fateful message concerning his sons who had so wantonly transgressed God’s Law. But Eli encouraged him in the matter, thus helping the young prophet not to hold back from proclaiming “all the counsel of God.” (Acts 20:27) The record is that “Samuel told him every whit, and hid nothing from him.”

“And Samuel grew, and the Lord was with him, and did let none of his words fall to the ground.” This is a wonderful testimony of God’s faithfulness toward his faithful servants. Samuel from the first proved his integrity as a prophet by revealing to Eli the whole truth concerning his sons, even though it was an unpleasant task to perform. So the Lord made good his words to the prophet, letting none of them “fall to the ground,” that is, go unfulfilled.

Because of this, the people, in turn, soon learned to know that Samuel was being used by God as a prophet, so they had confidence in him. This enabled him to wield a powerful influence for righteousness throughout the nation.

QUESTIONS

Who was Samuel’s mother? Explain the circumstances leading up to his birth.

In what sense does Hannah’s viewpoint concerning Samuel correspond with the spirit of Christian consecration?

What two characteristics of a true servant of God are manifested by Samuel in connection with the first message the Lord gave to him?

In what way did God manifest his faithfulness toward Samuel?

| Home Page | Table of Contents |