Samuel’s Call

[Twenty-Four in a series of posts on Bible Stories] Encore Post: Samuel is a unique figure in the history of God’s people. Samuel was the last and greatest of Israel’s judges and the one through whom God would anoint Israel’s first two kings. As a Levite dedicated to the Lord, he served as a priest. God also called him as a prophet. He was the only figure in the Old Testament who served in all three sacred offices: prophet, priest, and judge. In this way, Samuel paved the way for Jesus, who is the greatest of all: Prophet, Priest, and King.

Samuel’s birth was also unique. His mother, Hannah, was barren and prayed for the birth of a son. When Samuel was born, she gave him to the Lord so that the boy would serve as a priest in the Tabernacle. The Tabernacle was Israel’s first temple. It was a tent whose layout was like the temple that would follow it. Here, in its Holy of Holies, was kept the Ark of the Covenant, which contained the tablets of God’s law, Moses’ staff, and other items that witnessed to God’s miracles during the desert years. Samuel’s duty that night was to keep the lamps lit all evening.

While he was sleeping near the sanctuary, God called out to Samuel. Thinking the voice was that of the high priest, Eli, he went to him. Eli instructed him to go back to bed. When God called two more times, Eli told him to say to God, “Speak, Lord, your servant listens.” God gave Samuel the first of many prophecies that night.

When Samuel was old, the people of Israel pressed him to give them a king, like all the neighboring nations. They believed it would unite them. Samuel warned them that substituting a human king for God, their King, would bring only trouble. He would, in a sense, enslave them. They did not listen. God told Samuel to give in. He revealed to the prophet-judge-priest that Saul would be king — handsome, strong, everything they thought a king should be.

At first, Saul was very successful. But soon his power convinced him he could do anything he wished. Even though he was not a priest, he personally sacrificed to the Lord. Even when God ordered the complete destruction of an enemy people and not to take plunder from them, he spared their king and took plunder. God deposed him and chose David of Bethlehem, son of Jesse, as his successor. Samuel anointed him king.

Originally posted at What does this Mean? Blog: https://whatdoesthismean.blog

The posts in the blog What does this Mean? are now available at What does this Mean? | Rev. Robert E. Smith | Substack

Rev. Robert E. Smith
Pastor Emeritus
Fort Wayne, Indiana

©2020 Robert E. Smith. All rights reserved. Permission granted to copy, share and display freely for non-commercial purposes. Direct all other rights and permissions inquiries to cosmithb@msn.com