The Birth and Dedication of Samuel
First Samuel 1:1 to 2:11
First Samuel immediately follows Judges 21 in the Hebrew text, while the book of Ruth is among the “Writings,” the third division in the TaNaKh (to see link click Ac – The Life of King Sha’ul from a Messianic Jewish Perspective: The use of TaNaKh). By inserting the book of Ruth into the place where it belongs in the history of when the judges ruled (Ruth 1:1), the Christian canon drew attention to the long-term theological importance of David as the forerunner of the one born King of the Jews in Bethlehem. Furthermore, Ruth the Moabitess was among David’s ancestry through Boaz, the kinsman-redeemer (Hebrew: go’el), and genealogy (see the commentary on Ruth Bd – Coda: The Genealogy of David) is another link with the Gospels (see The Life of Christ Ai – The Genealogies of Joseph and Mary).8
You cannot read the records of the past without seeing the hand of ADONAI-Tzva’ot (The LORD of heaven’s angelic armies) at work in the events of what we call history, for He is the Chief Actor in this drama. Men and women are free to make their decisions, good or bad, but it is YHVH, the LORD of history, who ultimately accomplishes His purposes in and through the nations (Acts 14:15-17 and 17:24-26; Dani’el 4:25 and 32). Indeed, “history is His story,” a truth that is a great encouragement to God’s people who suffer for their faith. But this truth is also a warning to unbelievers who ignore or oppose the will of the LORD, because ADONAI-Tzva’ot will ultimately triumph (see the commentary on Revelation Fo – The Great White Throne Judgment).
The birth and dedication of Samuel happened at a critical time in Jewish history when the weak confederation of tribes desperately needed direction. Samuel would be the last of the judges (see Bm – The Last Judge) and the first of a new line of prophets after Moses (see Ax – Samuel’s First Prophecy). He established a school of the prophets, and he anointed two kings – Sha’ul who failed and David who succeeded. At a time when the ages were colliding and everything seemed to be shaking, Samuel gave spiritual leadership to the nation of Isra’el and helped to move them toward unification and spiritual redemption.
In human history, it may seem to us that truth is “forever has a noose around its neck” and wrong is “forever on the throne.” But that isn’t heaven’s point of view. As you study First Samuel, you will clearly see that ADONAI is always in control. While He is longsuffering and merciful, and answers the prayers of His people, He is also holy and just and punishes sin. We live today in a time of radical worldwide change, and the Church needs leaders like Samuel who will help God’s people understand where they’ve been, who they are, and what they are called to do.9
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