Samuel

by P. Luck | Category: Character Studies | Apr 1969

"Speak; for Thy servant heareth". When young Samuel spoke these words it marked a crisis and a turning point in his life. A point from which he never looked back. We are sure that the same words would often well-up from his heart and find an outlet through his lips to reach the ears of the LORD. One who bore such responsibility among the people of God would be often perplexed and need to hear the guiding voice of Jehovah.

However, the first time he uttered these words he did not yet know the LORD, neither was the word of the LORD revealed to him. He was a child in a place where one would expect to find every spiritual help and opportunity. He had been given by godly parents to the service of the LORD in His temple. But what do we find? The sons of Eli the priest were behaving in a lewd manner with the women who did service at the door of the tent of meeting. Notwithstanding the reprimand of Eli, they hearkened not to the voice of their father. No wonder there was no open vision in those days! We wonder at the lack of vision closing in on Christendom today. Let us each look to our ways and be sincere when we say, "Speak; for Thy servant heareth".

Samuel was sincere. He may sometimes have wondered why he had to be away from home, an old man's servant, cleaning up and caring for the Tabernacle, when others of his own age apparently had a much better time. He saw what was going on around him, and knew what it was to be tempted to join in the evil pursuits of those who should have been setting a godly example. The spiritual groundwork of his early days stood the test. How anxiously Hannah and Elkanah would greet their son on their annual visit to the temple for the yearly sacrifice! Was he still following their counsel or had he gone after the ways of Eli's sons? Should they take him away to more congenial surroundings? But where? He had been granted to the LORD as long as he should live. What a great spiritual blessing it must have been to Samuel to have those few days for advice from his parents

and communion with them! Did he show his appreciation? Often when we are young we fail to appreciate sound advice given with loving apprehension. To show the gratitude we have felt would have been more rewarding. Yes, Samuel was sincere in seeking to follow the LORD, and he "grew on, and was in favour both with the LORD, and also with men" (1 Samuel 2.26). Youth of both sexes today, be sincere in seeking to follow the Lord. He will bless you and you will have favour with men. People with spiritual courage and principles are needed today more than ever. Let us stand shoulder to shoulder against the tide of iniquity of this present evil age, as the Lord shall give us strength, lest we be overwhelmed in the torrent.

"The LORD called Samuel". What a tremendous experience for Samuel! The youngest and least official occupant of the temple was receiving a direct call from God. God calls young men and women. There is a life of service for Him stretching out in front of them. But unless they hear God's call none can say, "Speak; for Thy servant heareth." God called three times before Samuel, with the help of Eli, realised it was God calling him. He answered when God called the fourth time. God is patient in calling the sinner to repentance and the saint to service. May our ears be open to His call!

"Samuel lay until the morning", sleepless, no doubt, after such an experience and with such a message as he had received ringing in his ears. We can imagine him waiting with wide-open eyes, fast beating heart and quickened breathing, for the Almighty God to speak to him in the dead of night. It would seem he was afraid to form the very word LORD in his reply, as instructed by Eli. He would be overwhelmed by awe at being spoken to by the thrice-holy God. Then there was the responsibility of the message given to him; a responsibility which made him afraid to tell Eli the vision as he quietly opened the doors of the house of the LORD in the morning, but a responsibility which he had to carry out conscientiously, whatever the consequences to himself or others. "The fear of man bringeth a snare" the Scriptures tell us, and who can count the responsibilities which have withered before they have been discharged on account of this snare, "But whose putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe" (Proverbs 29.25).

Samuel found this to be true in early and in later life. The wrath he may have expected from Eli did not come. "It is the LORD: let Him do what seemeth Him good" was the gracious reply from the old man's lips, though heavy must have been his heart. Samuel faithfully discharged his task and we read he "grew, and the LORD was with him, and did let none of his words fall to the ground" (1 Samuel 3.19).

Advancement and position are not always helpful spiritually and, sadly, Samuel's sons, although appointed judges, did not walk in the ways of their father. This must have been a great grief to him. We assume that he had not condoned their actions in any way for, in contrast to Eli, we read of no condemnation on Samuel for the conduct of his children. If children have been brought up in the chastening and admonition of the Lord continually and yet turn away from His ways, they bear a very heavy burden of responsibility before the Lord for their actions.

None of us knows any more than did Samuel into what circumstances the Lord will lead us when we answer His call. It led Samuel to appeal to the people of God for sanctification and to get their priorities in order. It led him to be a judge in Israel and to offer sacrifices for God's people; to anoint them a king at their request (and under God's permissive will) and to anoint their second king. He was a good example and gave sound advice to God's people. Although he was closely linked with Saul the king, he remained faithful to his God even at the expense of this friendship. When Saul rebelled against the command of God to destroy the Amalekites it became necessary to obey God rather than men. Occasionally it is unpleasantly necessary to speak words in faithfulness to a friend who is showing a rebellious spirit in the things of the Lord, even though we fear such action might hurt him. The scripture tells us, "Faithful are the wounds of a friend", but none likes to wound or to be wounded. Nevertheless, the one who said, "Speak; for Thy servant heareth" said faithfully to Saul on this occasion, "I will not return with thee: for thou hast rejected the word of the LORD". The one who called on Israel to arrange aright their priorities was steadfast in his own example before them, from the king downwards.

Ramah had witnessed the rejoicing of a godly husband and wife at the birth of Samuel - "asked of God" - who was to be granted to the LORD as long as he should live, and at the end of that life of service to God Ramah saw the lamentation of all Israel as they mourned the loss of Samuel and there committed his body to the earth.

P. Luck | Apr 1969
Character Studies