Samuel the Prophet
First Samuel 3:19 to 4:1a
Samuel the Prophet DIG: In what ways did Samuel grow? What does it mean that ADONAI let none of his words fall to the ground? How was Samuel recognized as a prophet? What was the result of Samuel’s ministry of the Word of God?
REFLECT: How can we shine the light of God into the dark world? How can you learn to listen more and talk less? How do you treat the Word of God? What commands have you “let fall to the ground?” How do you hear God’s Word in your life?
So the word of Samuel came to all Isra’el.
Samuel kept growing into manhood. He was conscious that the invisible King, forgotten by so many of the nation, had chosen him to restore His chosen people. Unlike other judges, Samuel’s words and influence would reach the entire nation. From time to time, the LORD would appear at Shiloh (to see link click Ae – The Tabernacle at Shiloh) and reveal Himself to His prophet. Isra’el was about to experience a new beginning that would lead to new challenges and dangers as well as to new beginnings and victories.104
Samuel’s growth to manhood was marked by continuing public recognition that ADONAI was with him, authenticating his ministry by the fact that what Samuel said proved to be right (3:19a). As the LORD’s presence would later be with David (16:18 and 18:12), so the LORD was with Samuel. A fact evident to all Isra’el (3:20). The LORD was against ‘Eli and his sons (see Ar – ‘Eli’s Wicked Sons), but His blessing was upon Samuel and his ministry.
The Targum says (see the commentary on The Life of Christ Ei – The Oral Law) that the Memra was Samuel’s aid (see the commentary on The Life of Christ Af – The Memra of God), and he did not depart from any of His words. Therefore, this implies that just as the pre-incarnate Messiah had previously stood before Samuel (see Aw – Samuel’s call), He would now make sure that none of his words fall to the ground (3:19b). This phrase contains a double meaning. On the one hand, it means Samuel’s prophecies were all fulfilled by ADONAI, which proved he was a true prophet of God. On the other hand, it means Samuel never failed to deliver God’s message to His people. He recognized his high calling as the LORD’s spokesman to Isra’el and treated God’s Word with care and respect.105
All Isra’el from Dan to Beersheba became aware that Samuel had been confirmed as a prophet of ADONAI (3:20). While the Tabernacle was at Shiloh, and before David conquered Jerusalem (see the commentary on the Life of David Co – David Conquers Yerushalayim), the northern border of Isra’el was at Dan, while the southern border was at Beersheba. But after the division of the monarchy after Solomon’s death (see the commentary on the Life of Solomon Ca – Solomon’s Death), Dan was the northernmost border of the northern kingdom of Isra’el, while Bethel, in close proximity to Beersheba, was its southern border (see the Life of Solomon Dd – Golden Calves at Dan and Bethel). The people of Isra’el knew Samuel was speaking the Word of God because his prophecies all came true. That same test should be applied today to those who claim to speak the Word of God (see the commentary on Deuteronomy Dk – A Prophet Like Moses). If their message does not coincide with the clear teachings of Scripture, it means they are not speaking a message from the LORD.106
Although earlier, the Word of ADONAI had not yet been revealed to him (3:7), now it was. And as the LORD had appeared to him earlier (3:10-14), He continued appearing in Shiloh, for ADONAI revealed Himself to Samuel in Shiloh by the Word of ADONAI (3:21). So the word of Samuel came to all Isra’el (4:1a). Samuel’s authority came from the Word of God, but the actual working out of God’s will came through the word of Samuel, who was, in effect, God’s mouthpiece. Samuel’s human word, submitted to the command of YHVH, is never quite equated with God’s divine Word, but is surely authorized by ADONAI. In other words, Samuel was speaking for God, but was not God. This is not unlike the word in Jeremiah 1:1-3, where the Word of the LORD was given in the words of Jeremiah.107
We now see Samuel at the point towards which the whole story has led, from the time before his birth through the prayers of his godly mother (see Aj – Hannah’s Prayer), and all through his growing into manhood. When it was understood that Samuel’s credentials as a prophet were established, a new era was under way. Revelation through priest and ephod had passed away (see the commentary on Exodus Gb – The Urim and Thummim: The Means of Making Decisions), and revelation through prophets was beginning.108 Samuel, like Moses, was to be the preeminent leader in Isra’el, fulfilling in himself the roles of priest (he functioned as a priest in 2:18), judge (see Bm – The Last Judge), and prophet; yet, his greatness is most clearly seen in the anointing of others, Sha’ul and David, as kings in the Land. So the word of Samuel came to all Isra’el (4:1a). The question was . . . would Isra’el obey it!
Today, we are called to deliver God’s Word faithfully, even when it seems unpleasant. Samuel provides a glaring contrast to ‘Eli. The high priest was responsible to ensure that the worship of YHVH was carried out according to the LORD’s commandments. Yet, his own sons were guilty of gross misconduct and sexual immorality. Their sins led others into sin, and God’s Name was violated in the Land. But ‘Eli did nothing to stop them, and by his failure he brought the wrath of Ha’Shem on himself and his whole family.
Samuel, on the other hand, was always faithful to carry out ADONAI’s instructions, and he was willing to deliver bad news the LORD commanded. He had spent his entire childhood in the Tabernacle, serving alongside ‘Eli, and loved the high priest like a father. But his first assignment as a young prophet was to deliver horrible news to ‘Eli (see Ax – Samuel’s First Prophecy), a heavy responsibility for a youngster who had never spoken a prophetic word. Nevertheless, he understood the weight of his calling and faithfully told ‘Eli the heartbreaking news.
In a similar way, we are called to be a faithful testimony to the world around us and teach others the Word of God. Our calling is similar to Samuel’s in that we are God’s witnesses in the world – and we must take care to deliver His Word accurately. The world does not want to hear the eternal judgment awaiting those who reject Messiah – for that matter, the world often gets angry when believers teach that Yeahua is the only way to salvation. But these teachings are an integral part of the Gospel, unpopular though they might be, and God’s people need to be faithful in proclaiming the full purpose of God (Acts 20:26-27 NASB).109
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