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PEOPLE OF THE BIBLE

THE OLD TESTAMENT PROPHETS OF GOD

THE PROPHET SAMUEL

Introduction:

Tonight I want us to begin to look at the Old Testament prophets. The New Testament has some interesting things to say about the Old Testament prophets.

Hebrews 1:1–“God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets.”

Romans 1:1-2–Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God, 2(Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,)”

Acts 10:43–“To him (Jesus) give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.:”

Romans 3:21-22–“But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; 22Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:”

James 5:10–“Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience.”

Samuel is one of the most outstanding men in the history of Israel. His birth was an answer to prayer and his life was one of service to God and country. He came on the scene at a time when Israel was in a down trodden state as a result of their idolatry. He was the "man of the hour" who turned them around and brought them from the edge of ruin.

I.         THE BACKGROUND OF THE SAMUEL. (1 Samuel 1:1-3:21)

            A.        Samuel’s Family Background.

                        1.         His parents were Elkanah and Hannah. (1:1-2)

                        2.         His birth came as the direct result of Hannah's prayer. (1:17-18,20)

                        3.         His name means, “asked of God.”

                        4.         After he was weaned, he was "lent" to the Lord for service. (1:27-28)

                        5.         He was raised in the house of the Lord under Eli the priest.

            B.        Samuel’s Childhood In The House Of The Lord.

                        1.         Samuel had been placed under a Nazarite vow before his birth. (1:11)

The word “Nazarite” comes from the word “nazar” which means “to dedicate.”

The Nazarite vow was a provision whereby any man or woman of Israel who wished to could take a vow before the LORD to consecrate himself for a stated period of time to serve God.

Sometimes God determined before a child’s birth that the child was to be under a Nazarite vow.

                                    Old Testament example– Samson – Judges 13:7

                                    New Testament example– John the Baptist – Luke 1:15

Occasionally such a vow would be made by the parents on behalf of their children, as in the case of Samuel. (1 Samuel 1:11), but ordinarily it was an act of devotion taken voluntarily by an adult.

                                    This was a four fold vow. (Numbers 6:2-6)

                                    a.         The Nazarite was to be totally separated to the Lord.

                                    b.        The Nazarite was to be separate from strong drink and any products from the vine.  

                                                This showed self denial and separation from sensual indulgence.

                                    c.         The Nazarite was not to put a razor to his head.

                                                (1)       This would distinguish him from those about him.

                                                (2)       This would often bring the reproach of the world.

                                                (3)       He was denied the dignity of a well-groomed beard and hair.

                                    d.        The Nazarite was to avoid dead bodies.

                                                (i.e. He was to maintain absolute purity.)

                                    So, this Nazarite vow was a part of Samuel’s life.

                        2.         Samuel served well as a child. ( 2:18-19, 26)

                                    a.         He served in a linen ephod.

An ephod was a sacred vestment worn originally by the high priest, afterwards by the ordinary priest, and it was characteristic of his office.

                                    b. His mother also made him a little coat each year.

                                    c.         The Bible says that he lived and served in such a manner as to gain the favor of God and man.

                                    d.         He did not follow the evil example of Eli's sons.

                                                (1)       He did not succumb to peer pressure.

                                                (2)       He exercised integrity from the days of his early youth.

            C.        Samuel’s Call By The Lord. (3:1-21)

                        1.         His call came at a time when the Word of the Lord was precious. (3:1)

                                    (i.e. It was valuable because it had become rare.)

                        2.         The Lord called three times without Samuel realizing who it was. (3:4-9)

                                    a.         He thought Eli was calling and went to him. (3:5,6,8a)

                                    b.         After the third time, Eli realized what was happening and told Samuel how to answer. (3:9)

                        3.         The Lord told Samuel of the judgment that he was going to bring on Eli's house because of his son's conduct. (3:10-14)

                        4.         Samuel told Eli God's message at Eli's insistence. (3:15-18)

                        5.         Samuel grew spiritually and all of Israel recognized him as a prophet.

                                    (3:19-20)

                                    a.         The Lord's presence was with Samuel. (3:19a)

                                    b.         The Lord directed Samuel's speech in such a manner that none of his words were idle words. (3:19b; Cf. 9:6)

                                    c.         Samuel's ministry as a prophet of the Lord was clearly established. (3:20)

                        6.         Samuel had the Lord appear to him again in Shiloh. (3:21)

II.       SAMUEL’S FOUR FOLD MINISTRY.

            A.        Samuel Ministered As A Prophet.

                        1.         Prior to Samuel there had been individuals, such as Moses, who had the gift of prophecy, but the office of prophet seems to have begun with Samuel.

                                    a.         Moses was a prophet. (Deuteronomy 18:18)

                                    b.         Prior to Samuel the prophet was called a seer. (9:9)

                        2.         Samuel apparently instituted a school of prophets. (Cf. 10:5; 19:20)

                        3.         Samuel was ministering as a prophet when he told Eli of God's message. (3:15-18)

                        4.         Samuel ministered as a prophet in giving God's message regarding a king. (Cf. 8:22)

            B.        Samuel Ministered As An Intercessor.

                        1.         He prayed that God would give deliverance from the Philistines. (7:5-8)

                        2.         He prayed to the Lord about Israel having a king. (8:6)

                        3.         He prayed that the Lord would deal with the people about their ingratitude. (12:17-23)

            C.        Samuel Ministered As A Priest.

                        1.         As a priest he was ranked with Moses and Aaron. (Psalm 99:6)

                        2.         As a priest he was raised up by God to take the place of Eli's sons.

                                    (2:34-35)

                        3.         As priest he offered sacrifices. (7:9-10; 13:8-10)

                        4.         As a priest he anointed kings. (10:1; 16:13)

                                    a.         He anointed Saul at the instruction of God.

                                    b.         He anointed David to succeed Saul at the instruction of God.

                                    c.         Involved with the anointing were warnings and instructions concerning the kings. (10:1; 16:13)

                                                (1)       When the matter of a king was proposed, he prayed. (8:6-9)

                                                            (a)       God let him know the people were not rejecting Samuel but God himself. (8:7)

                                                            (b)       God instructed Samuel to protest solemnly and then show the people the kind of king they should have. (8:9)

                                                (2)       He told the people of the dangers of having a king.

                                                             (8:10-18)

                                                (3)       His God given counsel was rejected. (8:19-22)

            D.        Samuel Ministered As A Judge. (7:15-17)

                        1.         He judged throughout the land of Israel.

                        2.         He was the last judge in Israel.

III.      THE LIFE AND DEATH OF SAMUEL GENERALIZED.

            A.        He faithfully served God and his country gaining the love and respect of both.

            B.        His one recorded failure was that he failed to raise his sons properly. (8:1-5)

                        1.         He failed to learn from Eli's failure.

                        2.         His failure prompted Israel to desire a king.

                        3.         His death was lamented by all Israel. (25:1)

                        4.         After his death he spoke to Saul. (28:11-20)

IV.      NEW TESTAMENT SCRIPTURES DEALING WITH SAMUEL.

            A.        Peter spoke of the prophets from Samuel. (Acts 3:24)

            B.        Paul spoke of Samuel as a prophet. (Acts 13:20)

            C.        He is listed as a hero of the faith. (Hebrews 11:32)

Conclusion

Even though Samuel had his shortcomings, he was a great prophet of the LORD.

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