Sunday School: Samuel’s Call – What Does This Mean?

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 called him also as a prophet. He was the only figure in the Old Testament who served in all three sacred offices: prophet, priest and king. 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 similar to 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 in 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 and able — 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 and took plunder. God deposed him and chose David of Bethlehem, son of Jesse, as his successor. Samuel anointed him king.