B. Samuel speaks to the people of Israel about their desire for a king.
1. (1 Sam 8:10-18) Samuel warns the nation about the responsibilities of having a king
So Samuel spoke all the words of the LORD to the people who had asked of him a king. He said, "This will be the procedure of the king who will reign over you: he will take your sons and place them for himself in his chariots and among his horsemen and they will run before his chariots. He will appoint for himself commanders of thousands and of fifties, and some to do his plowing and to reap his harvest and to make his weapons of war and equipment for his chariots. He will also take your daughters for perfumers and cooks and bakers. He will take the best of your fields and your vineyards and your olive groves and give them to his servants. He will take a tenth of your seed and of your vineyards and give to his officers and his servants. He will also take your male servants and your female servants and your best young men and your donkeys and use them for his work. He will take a tenth of your flocks, and you yourselves will become his servants. Then you will cry out in that day because of your king whom you have chosen for yourselves, but the LORD will not answer you in that day."
This will be the procedure of the king who will reign over you: God wanted Israel to know there would be problems connected with having a king. If they wanted a king to rule them, they would find the yoke exceedingly heavy. Israel wanted a tangible king ruling them. They thought this would solve all their problems. However, they failed to analyze the situation. With a king comes heavy tribute, and many folks forced into the king's service.
He will take...He will take...He will take...He will take...He will take...He will take...And you will be his servants: The LORD, through the Prophet Samuel, is warning Israel about the heavy toll a king will exact from them. Most kings are takes and not givers. They come to be served and not to serve. If Israel wants a king, they must realize the king will be a taker, and they will be his servants.
Thankfully, not every king is a taker. The King of Kings is a giving king. As Jesus tells His disciples, "The Son of man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many" (Matthew 20:28). The Apostle Paul continues this same thought in his letter to the Philippians: "Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard Himself equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taken the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross" (Philippians 2:5-8).
He will take your male servants and female servants and your best young men and your donkeys and use them for his work: The Greek Septuagint version reads, "your best oxen" instead of "your best young men" which requires only the change of one letter of a similar sound in Hebrew. It is very likely "your best young men" is a copyist error. Verse 16 would then follow a natural couplet: menservants and maidservants, oxen and donkeys.
You will cry out..but the LORD will not answer you: After giving Israel a long, long list of the heavy yoke which will be placed upon them when they set their own king to rule over them, God lets Israel know that if they call out to Him in a day of trouble, He will not hear their pleas. This passage reminds me of the first chapter of the Book of Proverbs: "Because I called and you refused, I stretched out my hand and no one paid attention; and you neglected all my counsel and did not want my reproof; I will also laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your dread comes, when your dread comes like a storm and your calamity comes like a whirlwind, when distress and anguish come upon you. Then they will call on me, but I will not answer; they will seek me diligently but they will not find me, because they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the LORD" (Proverbs 1:24-29).
2. (1 Sam 8:19-22) Israel demands a king despite God's warning
Nevertheless, the people refused to listen to the voice of Samuel, and they said, "No, but there shall be a king over us, that we also may be like all the nations, that our king may judge us and go out before us and fight our battles." Now after Samuel had heard all the words of the people, he repeated them in the LORD'S hearing. The LORD said to Samuel, "Listen to their voice and appoint them a king." So Samuel said to the men of Israel, "Go every man to his city."
No, but there shall be a king over us: Israel demands a king, and God gives Israel exactly what they want--a tall, good looking man named Saul. Later, after Israel's chosen king fails God will anoint His king, David. God had ultimately wanted for Israel to become a monarchy. Perhaps if Israel had not forsaken the LORD here, David would have been Israel's first king. Oh the tremendous trouble this would have saved Israel and especially poor David!
May be like all the nations: Israel, Israel! Why are you so blind!? God loves you, and has chosen you to be His special people. He delivered you from Pharaoh in Egypt, performing ten incredible plagues. He then parted the Red Sea and provided food and drink while you meandered through the desert for forty years. He defeated enemy after enemy for you. And now you want to abandon all this and be like everyone else!? Oy! God has placed you on a pedestal and given you the best of everything. Now, you want to give this all up to have a man, who is apt to swell with pride and lead the nation astray, lead you!? Yes, this is what Israel demanded. And sadly, Samuel could see the foolishness Israel was about to embark on.
That our king may judge us and go out before us and fight our battles: Wow! After the incredible victory God had just delivered Israel in 1 Samuel chapter 7--the victory where God defeated the Philistines with His voice thundering from heaven--Israel has already forgotten! Then there are the multitude of other times in which God went out to fight for Israel. But Israel seems to have amnesia. They want a tangible person sitting on the throne, directing their ways. It is very hard to trust in things we cannot see. How often are we like the Israelites--putting our faith in something we can see or touch instead of in the LORD God? "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not see" (Hebrews 11:1). "For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man sees, why does he yet hope for" (Romans 8:24)?
He repeated them in the LORD'S hearing: Like as before in verse 6, Samuel comes before the LORD to pray. During this private time, Samuel is able to lay out all the demands of the elders of Israel. God utters the same directions He gave to Samuel in verses 7 and 9.
Listen to their voice and make them a king: God gives His consent for the third time. Israel wants a king; God is willing to oblige their request. Israel is rejecting God's rule; yet, they cannot escape it because God will appoint them their king. God will never step off His throne even if we ask Him to. We can resist God, but we will only hurt ourselves. It is best to allow God to rule our heart and minds. Life is so much easier when God is directing our steps!
Sunday, June 25, 2017
Sunday, June 18, 2017
1 Samuel Chapter 8 Part One (Verses 1-9)
ISRAEL DEMANDS A KING
A. The people of Israel request a king
1. (1 Sam 8:1-3) Samuel appoints his sons as judges.
And it came about when Samuel was old that he appointed his sons judges over Israel. Now the name of his firstborn was Joel, and the name of his second, Abijah; they were judging in Beersheba. His sons, however, did not walk in his ways, but turned aside after dishonest gain and took bribes and perverted justice.
When Samuel was old: Samuel lived for a number of years after this time, until the end of King Saul's reign. At this point in history, Samuel was probably not more than 60 years old . The dates are very uncertain for the events in Samuel's life. He was probably between 20-30 years old when Shiloh was captured. According to Jewish custom, he probably married as soon as he reached manhood. Then came the active part of Samuel's ministry. During the next 20 years, the Ark of the Covenant was housed in Kiriath-jearim. Samuel was calling Israel to repentance in preparation for God's triumphal victory over the Philistines. After this victory, Samuel was judging Israel, making frequent visits to Bethel, Mizpah, Gilgal and Ramah. Some time must have elapsed before Samuel started to feel the burden of his duties being compromised by his aging body. The Talmud (the rabbinical Jewish commentary) states Samuel was 52 years old when he appointed his sons as judges. Other Jewish commentators believe Samuel was older, around 70 years of age.
He appointed his sons as judges over Israel: Samuel was one of the most godly men in the whole Bible. Yet, this was a huge error on his part. Unable to view his sons objectively, Samuel is blind to the corrupt ways of his sons.
Joel and Abijah: Joel means Yahweh is God. Abijah means Yah is my father. These names glorify God and go against the idolatry prevalent in Israel.
Beersheba: Located in the far southern border in the land of Israel, Beersheba was a very long ways from where Samuel was living in Ramah. As the saying goes, "When the cat's away, the mice will play." Far from the watchful eye of their father, Joel and Abijah become disobedient and corrupt in their positions of authority.
His sons...took bribes and perverted justice: This seems to be a broken record. While growing up, Samuel saw the wickedness of the high priest's sons, Hophni and Phinehas. Unfortunately it seems, Eli's parenting skills have been passed on to Samuel. However, unlike Eli's sons who went unpunished by the nation of Israel, Samuel's sons are soon to be rejected.
2. (1 Sam 8:4-5) Samuel's sons rejected as leaders over Israel
Then all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah; and they said to him, "Behold, you have grown old, and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now appoint a king for us to judge us like all the nations."
All the elders of Israel: In a patriarchal system of government, the Elders (or heads of families) are the natural authorities. Even before the Exodus, Israel had an organization of elders to whom Moses directed his message. (""Go and gather the elders of Israel together and say to them, "The LORD, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, has appeared to me, saying, 'I am indeed concerned about you and what has been done to you in Egypt'"'" (Exodus 3:16).The title gradually acquired an official status. In the wilderness, Moses appointed a council of seventy elders to represent Israel (see Numbers 11:16 and Numbers 11:24-25). The institution of Elders lasted through the monarchy and was revived after Israel's captivity in Babylon (See Ezra 10:14). In the times of the New Testament, the Elders formed one of the representative bodies of the governing body, the Sanhedrin.
This was wise for the elders of Israel to reject Samuel's sons as judges. Seeing they were ungodly and unfit to lead the nation, the elders had a right to ask for different leadership. However, it was wrong for them to demand a king in place of Samuel's sons.
Now appoint a king for us to judge us like all the nations: In and of itself, it is not bad to desire to have a king. God knew that one day Israel would have a king. Four hundred years before this time in history, God gave detailed instructions to Israel about their future king (see Deuteronomy 17:14-20). A king was always in God's plan. However, Israel wanted a king for the wrong reason. Israel wanted to be "like all nations". God from the calling of Abraham, has carefully been separating Israel from the rest of the world. The 613 commandments given in the Torah helped set Israel apart in almost every aspect of their lives--eating, working, festivals, worship, etc. Now, once again, Israel is lusting after the world.
What is the difference between a king and a judge? A judge was a leader raised up by God to deliver Israel in a specific time of crisis. When the crisis was over, the judge would often go back to his regular life. A king would hold the position of absolute power for his entire life. He then would pass on his seat of leadership to his son. Additionally, a judge would not have a government or other leaders. A king would establish a government made up of leadership roles on multiple levels, i.e., local, regional and national.
3. (1 Sam 8:6-8) Samuel prays about their request and God answers
But the thing was displeasing in the sight of Samuel when they said, "Give us a king to judge us." And Samuel prayed to the LORD. The LORD said to Samuel, "Listen to the voice of the people in regard to all that they say to you, for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me from being king over them. Like all the deeds which they have done since the day that I brought them up from Egypt even to this day-in that they have forsaken Me and served other gods-so they are doing to you also."
The thing displeased Samuel: I cannot imagine the pain and disappointment Samuel must have felt when the Elders of Israel asked for Samuel's sons to step down from being judge. But even more than that, Samuel saw through the smoke screen and understood the true motives behind their request for a king.
Listen to the voice of the people: God tells Samuel to obey the people's demand for a king. This was not because their request was good or done with the right intentions. Instead, God was going to teach Israel a lesson. Israel was requesting a king out of bad, carnal reasons. Fulfilling their desire, God gives Israel a king who follows his own lusts. This same pattern can be seen in our lives. How many times does God fulfill our requests even when our motives or intentions are wrong? Often when we are rejoicing for the answered prayer, we are only too soon burdened with the tremendous consequences of that request.
The words spoken to Samuel by God are so moving and so sad. In their extreme tenderness, they seem to say, "Take courage, my faithful servant, and do not be dismayed at this bitter ingratitude from the people you love so much. This reproof is not directed against you, but against Me. They have been the same for generations reaching back to the time of the Exodus from Egypt. You must give them their hearts' desire. Make them understand what they are asking for and give them their earthly king."
They have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me: God had a purpose in not giving Israel a king up to this time. God did not want them to place an ungodly trust in a king instead of trusting the LORD. Now Israel was rejecting God's plan and were declaring that they do not want the LORD to reign over them. Moreover, the words "they have not rejected you" are words of comfort to Samuel. It is easy for God's servants to take rejection personally when they should not. Jesus gives His disciples similar words of encouragement when He sends the seventy out to proclaim the gospel: "The one who listens to you listens to Me, and the one who rejects you rejects Me; and he who rejects Me rejects the One who sent Me" (Luke 10:16). Lastly, there is a sense in which Israel's rejection of God as their king is prophetic. When Jesus stood before Pilate, the assembled Jewish crowd screamed, "We have no king but Caesar" (John 19:15). Jesus was a rejected king too.
4. (1 Sam 8:9) God tells Samuel to warm the nation
Now then, listen to their voice; however, you shall solemnly warn them and tell them of the procedure of the king who will reign over them.
You shall solemnly warn them: The meaning behind these words is not that Israel will change their mind, and this is not Samuel's mission. Instead, his goal is to simply forewarn them. If they choose this course, God wanted them to make an informed choice. Moreover, information creates responsibility. By telling Israel about the manner of the future king, Samuel was helping Israel make an informed choice and was increasing their accountability. By Samuel delivering this warning, Israel could not cry out to God, "But we didn't know it would be like this."
A. The people of Israel request a king
1. (1 Sam 8:1-3) Samuel appoints his sons as judges.
And it came about when Samuel was old that he appointed his sons judges over Israel. Now the name of his firstborn was Joel, and the name of his second, Abijah; they were judging in Beersheba. His sons, however, did not walk in his ways, but turned aside after dishonest gain and took bribes and perverted justice.
When Samuel was old: Samuel lived for a number of years after this time, until the end of King Saul's reign. At this point in history, Samuel was probably not more than 60 years old . The dates are very uncertain for the events in Samuel's life. He was probably between 20-30 years old when Shiloh was captured. According to Jewish custom, he probably married as soon as he reached manhood. Then came the active part of Samuel's ministry. During the next 20 years, the Ark of the Covenant was housed in Kiriath-jearim. Samuel was calling Israel to repentance in preparation for God's triumphal victory over the Philistines. After this victory, Samuel was judging Israel, making frequent visits to Bethel, Mizpah, Gilgal and Ramah. Some time must have elapsed before Samuel started to feel the burden of his duties being compromised by his aging body. The Talmud (the rabbinical Jewish commentary) states Samuel was 52 years old when he appointed his sons as judges. Other Jewish commentators believe Samuel was older, around 70 years of age.
He appointed his sons as judges over Israel: Samuel was one of the most godly men in the whole Bible. Yet, this was a huge error on his part. Unable to view his sons objectively, Samuel is blind to the corrupt ways of his sons.
Joel and Abijah: Joel means Yahweh is God. Abijah means Yah is my father. These names glorify God and go against the idolatry prevalent in Israel.
Beersheba: Located in the far southern border in the land of Israel, Beersheba was a very long ways from where Samuel was living in Ramah. As the saying goes, "When the cat's away, the mice will play." Far from the watchful eye of their father, Joel and Abijah become disobedient and corrupt in their positions of authority.
His sons...took bribes and perverted justice: This seems to be a broken record. While growing up, Samuel saw the wickedness of the high priest's sons, Hophni and Phinehas. Unfortunately it seems, Eli's parenting skills have been passed on to Samuel. However, unlike Eli's sons who went unpunished by the nation of Israel, Samuel's sons are soon to be rejected.
2. (1 Sam 8:4-5) Samuel's sons rejected as leaders over Israel
Then all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah; and they said to him, "Behold, you have grown old, and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now appoint a king for us to judge us like all the nations."
All the elders of Israel: In a patriarchal system of government, the Elders (or heads of families) are the natural authorities. Even before the Exodus, Israel had an organization of elders to whom Moses directed his message. (""Go and gather the elders of Israel together and say to them, "The LORD, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, has appeared to me, saying, 'I am indeed concerned about you and what has been done to you in Egypt'"'" (Exodus 3:16).The title gradually acquired an official status. In the wilderness, Moses appointed a council of seventy elders to represent Israel (see Numbers 11:16 and Numbers 11:24-25). The institution of Elders lasted through the monarchy and was revived after Israel's captivity in Babylon (See Ezra 10:14). In the times of the New Testament, the Elders formed one of the representative bodies of the governing body, the Sanhedrin.
This was wise for the elders of Israel to reject Samuel's sons as judges. Seeing they were ungodly and unfit to lead the nation, the elders had a right to ask for different leadership. However, it was wrong for them to demand a king in place of Samuel's sons.
Now appoint a king for us to judge us like all the nations: In and of itself, it is not bad to desire to have a king. God knew that one day Israel would have a king. Four hundred years before this time in history, God gave detailed instructions to Israel about their future king (see Deuteronomy 17:14-20). A king was always in God's plan. However, Israel wanted a king for the wrong reason. Israel wanted to be "like all nations". God from the calling of Abraham, has carefully been separating Israel from the rest of the world. The 613 commandments given in the Torah helped set Israel apart in almost every aspect of their lives--eating, working, festivals, worship, etc. Now, once again, Israel is lusting after the world.
What is the difference between a king and a judge? A judge was a leader raised up by God to deliver Israel in a specific time of crisis. When the crisis was over, the judge would often go back to his regular life. A king would hold the position of absolute power for his entire life. He then would pass on his seat of leadership to his son. Additionally, a judge would not have a government or other leaders. A king would establish a government made up of leadership roles on multiple levels, i.e., local, regional and national.
3. (1 Sam 8:6-8) Samuel prays about their request and God answers
But the thing was displeasing in the sight of Samuel when they said, "Give us a king to judge us." And Samuel prayed to the LORD. The LORD said to Samuel, "Listen to the voice of the people in regard to all that they say to you, for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me from being king over them. Like all the deeds which they have done since the day that I brought them up from Egypt even to this day-in that they have forsaken Me and served other gods-so they are doing to you also."
The thing displeased Samuel: I cannot imagine the pain and disappointment Samuel must have felt when the Elders of Israel asked for Samuel's sons to step down from being judge. But even more than that, Samuel saw through the smoke screen and understood the true motives behind their request for a king.
Listen to the voice of the people: God tells Samuel to obey the people's demand for a king. This was not because their request was good or done with the right intentions. Instead, God was going to teach Israel a lesson. Israel was requesting a king out of bad, carnal reasons. Fulfilling their desire, God gives Israel a king who follows his own lusts. This same pattern can be seen in our lives. How many times does God fulfill our requests even when our motives or intentions are wrong? Often when we are rejoicing for the answered prayer, we are only too soon burdened with the tremendous consequences of that request.
The words spoken to Samuel by God are so moving and so sad. In their extreme tenderness, they seem to say, "Take courage, my faithful servant, and do not be dismayed at this bitter ingratitude from the people you love so much. This reproof is not directed against you, but against Me. They have been the same for generations reaching back to the time of the Exodus from Egypt. You must give them their hearts' desire. Make them understand what they are asking for and give them their earthly king."
They have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me: God had a purpose in not giving Israel a king up to this time. God did not want them to place an ungodly trust in a king instead of trusting the LORD. Now Israel was rejecting God's plan and were declaring that they do not want the LORD to reign over them. Moreover, the words "they have not rejected you" are words of comfort to Samuel. It is easy for God's servants to take rejection personally when they should not. Jesus gives His disciples similar words of encouragement when He sends the seventy out to proclaim the gospel: "The one who listens to you listens to Me, and the one who rejects you rejects Me; and he who rejects Me rejects the One who sent Me" (Luke 10:16). Lastly, there is a sense in which Israel's rejection of God as their king is prophetic. When Jesus stood before Pilate, the assembled Jewish crowd screamed, "We have no king but Caesar" (John 19:15). Jesus was a rejected king too.
4. (1 Sam 8:9) God tells Samuel to warm the nation
Now then, listen to their voice; however, you shall solemnly warn them and tell them of the procedure of the king who will reign over them.
You shall solemnly warn them: The meaning behind these words is not that Israel will change their mind, and this is not Samuel's mission. Instead, his goal is to simply forewarn them. If they choose this course, God wanted them to make an informed choice. Moreover, information creates responsibility. By telling Israel about the manner of the future king, Samuel was helping Israel make an informed choice and was increasing their accountability. By Samuel delivering this warning, Israel could not cry out to God, "But we didn't know it would be like this."
Sunday, June 11, 2017
1 Samuel Chapter 7 Part Two (Verses 10-17)
3. (1 Sam 7:10-12) The LORD fights for Israel
Now Samuel was offering up the burnt offering, and the Philistines drew near to battle against Israel. But the LORD thundered with a great thunder on that day against the Philistines and confused them, so that they were routed before Israel. The men of Israel went out of Mizpah and pursued the Philistines, and struck them down as far as below Beth-car. Then Samuel took a stone and set it between Mizpah and Shen, and named it Ebenezer saying, "Thus far the LORD has helped us."
The LORD thundered with a great thunder that day: Here is a wonderfully detailed desciption of the event. The lamb is burning upon the altar, with Samuel kneeling before it. The Philistines, armed for battle, appear on the plateau just below the hill of Mizpah. It seems absolutely hopeless for defenseless Israel. No doubt, many Israelites were scared and were doing everything possible to keep from fleeing. But as the enemy drew near, from heaven God thundered a great thunder! The literal translation is "The LORD thundered with a great voice." The voice of God is often compared to as the sound of thunder. ("The voice of the LORD is upon the waters; the God of glory thunders, the LORD is over many waters. The voice of the LORD is powerful, the voice of the LORD is majestic" Psalm 29:3-4. "The LORD also thundered in the heavens and the Most High uttered His voice, hailstones and coals of fire" Psalm 18:14.)
With their hearts turned to God, God is now fighting for Israel. This was a special work of God. The Israelites heard the same thunder as the Philistines, but God only sent confusion to the Philistines. To the Israelites, God sent them a victory! Ironically, this was the stunning defeat Israel was hoping for in 1 Samuel chapter 4 when they brought the Ark of the Covenant into battle with them. If only they would have repented and sought the LORD, they could have defeated the Philistines many years before.
Side note: It is worthy to note that Baal was the god of weather. He often was pictured with a thunderbolt in his hand. When Israel turned away from their pagan worship of Baal, it was as if God was saying, "Watch this! I will show you who the real God of the weather is!"
Confused them: The Hebrew expressed here is the confusion of a sudden panic, especially used of supernatural defeats. (The same word is used in the Scripture when the Egyptians attempted to cross the Red Sea: "At the morning watch, the LORD looked down on the army of the Egyptians through the pillar of fire and cloud and brought the army of the Egyptians into confusion" Exodus 14:24. Additionally, the same word is used when Joshua and the Israelites come to rescue the people of Gilgal from the five kings of the Amorites. "So Joshua came upon them suddenly by marching all night from Gilgal. And the LORD confounded them before Israel, and He slew them with a great slaughter at Gibeon, and pursued them by the way of the ascent of Beth-horon and struck them as far as Azekah and Makkedah" Joshua 10:9-10.)
Below Beth-car: Beth-car means the house of a lamb or house of the field. Of this place, there is nothing known about it. It most likely was a Philistine fortress or high ground overhanging the road back to Philistia. It was likely a place where the fleeing Philistines could convene and defend themselves.
Then Samuel took a stone: This would have been a crude, unpolished stone, which was not prohibited by the Torah (Leviticus 26:1). A non-descript, unsculpted stone had no danger of anyone worshiping such a stone. Instead, it was simply a monument to God's incredible victory.
Ebenezer: Meaning "the stone of help", this was a memorial set up between Mizpah and Shen. Shen translates as "the tooth". The exact location is unknown, but it probably denotes a prominent rock formation. Ebenezer is also the location were the Israelites were dealt a stunning defeat and relinquished the Ark of the Covenant to the Philistines (1 Samuel 4:1). Now this place could be remembered as a place of a great victory instead of a brutal defeat.
Thus far, the LORD has helped us: Samuel knew it was God who had given the Israelites the victory over the Philistines. He also knew there was much more which needed to be accomplished. God's past work is a pledge that if Israel remains faithful, He will help them again in the future.
4. (1 Sam 7:13-14) The success of Samuel as judge over Israel
So the Philistines were subdued and they did not come anymore within the border of Israel. And the hand of the LORD was against the Philistines all the days of Samuel. The cities which the Philistines had taken from Israel were restored to Israel, from Ekron even to Gath; and Israel delivered their territory from the hand of the Philistines. So there was peace between Israel and the Amorites.
So the Philistines were subdued: The Hebrew signifies that the Philistines "were brought low." It does not imply complete subjugation, but rather the Philistines ceased from being a thorn in Israel's flesh for a short time.
The hand of the LORD was against the Philistines: After this defeat, the Philistines never recovered supremacy in the land of Canaan. There were some punishments Israel received for King Saul's disobedience, but from this time forward, the Philistines gradually lost their power. The strength of Israel steadily increased until King David subdued the Philistines completely and made them forced labor like many of the other Canaanite races.
Side note: It is interesting to compare the two lifelong Nazirites, Samson and Samuel. Both men were called to judge Israel and lead them to victory over the Philistines. Samuel was not a military man, but he was just as successful (or perhaps even more successful) than Israel's best generals because the LORD fought for Samuel. Samson, on the other hand, loved woman and seemed to always be compromising his status as a Nazirite. Samson had tremendous physical strength while Samuel seems to be humble and spiritually minded. Samuel seems so much weaker than Samson. Yet, who had the more successful campaign leading Israel to victory? God shows us yet again that great victory is "'Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,' says the LORD of hosts" (Zechariah 4:6).
The cities: The immediate result of God's great conquest at Ebenezer was the restoration of towns and villages which of late had fallen into the hands of the Philistines.
From Ekron even unto Gath: The Philistine cities lie on the border with the tribe of Dan. It is doubtful the actual cities of Ekron and Gath were occupied by the Israelites. Instead, it is more likely that this expression indicates the direction and boundary limits in which the Israelites recovered their lost territory.
The Amorites: The Amorites were the most powerful of the Canaanite tribes. The inclusion of this phrase indicates that in the glorious days of the restoration of Israel under the leadership of Samuel, not only were the Philistines of the coast kept in check and gradually subdued, but the Canaanite tribes of the interior of the land submitted peacefully to Israel as well.
5. (1 Sam 7:15-17) Samuel's service as judge
Now Samuel judged Israel all the days of his life. He used to go annually on circuit to Bethel and Gilgal and Mizpah, and he judged Israel in all these places. Then his return was to Ramah, for his house was there, and there he judged Israel; and he built there an altar to the LORD.
Samuel judged Israel all the days of his life: Samuel's judgeship and influence on Israel only ended with his life. For a very long period of time--probably for at least 20 years after the triumphal victory of the Israelites over the Philistines at Ebenezer--Samuel held chief authority over Israel. Samuel's official power as judge waned after the children of Israel cried out for a king. Advanced in years, Samuel voluntarily stepped aside to allow the new king, Saul, to rule over Israel. However, Samuel's influence remained, and his authority, whenever he chose to exercise it, seems to have continued undiminished. On certain occasions such as putting to death Agag, the king of the Amalekites, King Saul and all of Israel submit to Samuel's will (See 1 Samuel 15:33).
On circuit to Bethel and Gilgal and Mizpah: These three cities are located in the southern part of Israel in the tribe of Benjamin. It appears Samuel's strongest influence was in the southern tribes. Perhaps this is an indication of the future rebellion of the northern tribes a few generations later which lead to a split in the kingdom and the rise to power of King Jeroboam over the northern tribes. Or perhaps Samuel was growing old, and Samuel was not able to travel much. These three cities could be done in a circular route of about 15 miles. Samuel's hometown of Ramah is located only a stone's throw away from Mizpah (to the south) and Bethel (to the east).
His return was to Ramah: I cannot tell you how much joy it brings me to read Samuel goes back to his place of birth. In 1 Samuel 2:21, we learn that the LORD blesses Hannah (Samuel's mother) with three sons and two daughters. I cannot help but imagine after Samuel spending his childhood ministering before the LORD at Shiloh, the joy and fun times he had visiting his brothers and sisters. (I also sincerely hope that Hannah lived a long life and was able to see her son prosper. There is also a wicked part of me that hopes Hannah was able to flaunt the success of her son before her husband's other wife (and Hannah's adversary), Peninnah. The conversation: Hannah: "Oh look Peninnuel! Here comes my son Samuel. Did you know he prayed before the LORD, and the LORD heard him and delivered the Philistines into Israel's hands? Samuel is such a special son." Peninnah remains silent.)
And he built an altar there to the LORD: Samuel follows the custom of the patriarchs. It must be remembered that at this time in history, there was no formal seat of worship, where the high priest, priests and Levites served. The Ark was being kept in private custody at Kiriath-jearim. There are no recorded religious observances at Kiriath-jearim. Samuel building an altar at Ramah allowed him as well as the rest of Israel to make sacrifices to the LORD God.
Now Samuel was offering up the burnt offering, and the Philistines drew near to battle against Israel. But the LORD thundered with a great thunder on that day against the Philistines and confused them, so that they were routed before Israel. The men of Israel went out of Mizpah and pursued the Philistines, and struck them down as far as below Beth-car. Then Samuel took a stone and set it between Mizpah and Shen, and named it Ebenezer saying, "Thus far the LORD has helped us."
The LORD thundered with a great thunder that day: Here is a wonderfully detailed desciption of the event. The lamb is burning upon the altar, with Samuel kneeling before it. The Philistines, armed for battle, appear on the plateau just below the hill of Mizpah. It seems absolutely hopeless for defenseless Israel. No doubt, many Israelites were scared and were doing everything possible to keep from fleeing. But as the enemy drew near, from heaven God thundered a great thunder! The literal translation is "The LORD thundered with a great voice." The voice of God is often compared to as the sound of thunder. ("The voice of the LORD is upon the waters; the God of glory thunders, the LORD is over many waters. The voice of the LORD is powerful, the voice of the LORD is majestic" Psalm 29:3-4. "The LORD also thundered in the heavens and the Most High uttered His voice, hailstones and coals of fire" Psalm 18:14.)
With their hearts turned to God, God is now fighting for Israel. This was a special work of God. The Israelites heard the same thunder as the Philistines, but God only sent confusion to the Philistines. To the Israelites, God sent them a victory! Ironically, this was the stunning defeat Israel was hoping for in 1 Samuel chapter 4 when they brought the Ark of the Covenant into battle with them. If only they would have repented and sought the LORD, they could have defeated the Philistines many years before.
Side note: It is worthy to note that Baal was the god of weather. He often was pictured with a thunderbolt in his hand. When Israel turned away from their pagan worship of Baal, it was as if God was saying, "Watch this! I will show you who the real God of the weather is!"
Confused them: The Hebrew expressed here is the confusion of a sudden panic, especially used of supernatural defeats. (The same word is used in the Scripture when the Egyptians attempted to cross the Red Sea: "At the morning watch, the LORD looked down on the army of the Egyptians through the pillar of fire and cloud and brought the army of the Egyptians into confusion" Exodus 14:24. Additionally, the same word is used when Joshua and the Israelites come to rescue the people of Gilgal from the five kings of the Amorites. "So Joshua came upon them suddenly by marching all night from Gilgal. And the LORD confounded them before Israel, and He slew them with a great slaughter at Gibeon, and pursued them by the way of the ascent of Beth-horon and struck them as far as Azekah and Makkedah" Joshua 10:9-10.)
Below Beth-car: Beth-car means the house of a lamb or house of the field. Of this place, there is nothing known about it. It most likely was a Philistine fortress or high ground overhanging the road back to Philistia. It was likely a place where the fleeing Philistines could convene and defend themselves.
Then Samuel took a stone: This would have been a crude, unpolished stone, which was not prohibited by the Torah (Leviticus 26:1). A non-descript, unsculpted stone had no danger of anyone worshiping such a stone. Instead, it was simply a monument to God's incredible victory.
Ebenezer: Meaning "the stone of help", this was a memorial set up between Mizpah and Shen. Shen translates as "the tooth". The exact location is unknown, but it probably denotes a prominent rock formation. Ebenezer is also the location were the Israelites were dealt a stunning defeat and relinquished the Ark of the Covenant to the Philistines (1 Samuel 4:1). Now this place could be remembered as a place of a great victory instead of a brutal defeat.
Thus far, the LORD has helped us: Samuel knew it was God who had given the Israelites the victory over the Philistines. He also knew there was much more which needed to be accomplished. God's past work is a pledge that if Israel remains faithful, He will help them again in the future.
4. (1 Sam 7:13-14) The success of Samuel as judge over Israel
So the Philistines were subdued and they did not come anymore within the border of Israel. And the hand of the LORD was against the Philistines all the days of Samuel. The cities which the Philistines had taken from Israel were restored to Israel, from Ekron even to Gath; and Israel delivered their territory from the hand of the Philistines. So there was peace between Israel and the Amorites.
So the Philistines were subdued: The Hebrew signifies that the Philistines "were brought low." It does not imply complete subjugation, but rather the Philistines ceased from being a thorn in Israel's flesh for a short time.
The hand of the LORD was against the Philistines: After this defeat, the Philistines never recovered supremacy in the land of Canaan. There were some punishments Israel received for King Saul's disobedience, but from this time forward, the Philistines gradually lost their power. The strength of Israel steadily increased until King David subdued the Philistines completely and made them forced labor like many of the other Canaanite races.
Side note: It is interesting to compare the two lifelong Nazirites, Samson and Samuel. Both men were called to judge Israel and lead them to victory over the Philistines. Samuel was not a military man, but he was just as successful (or perhaps even more successful) than Israel's best generals because the LORD fought for Samuel. Samson, on the other hand, loved woman and seemed to always be compromising his status as a Nazirite. Samson had tremendous physical strength while Samuel seems to be humble and spiritually minded. Samuel seems so much weaker than Samson. Yet, who had the more successful campaign leading Israel to victory? God shows us yet again that great victory is "'Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,' says the LORD of hosts" (Zechariah 4:6).
The cities: The immediate result of God's great conquest at Ebenezer was the restoration of towns and villages which of late had fallen into the hands of the Philistines.
From Ekron even unto Gath: The Philistine cities lie on the border with the tribe of Dan. It is doubtful the actual cities of Ekron and Gath were occupied by the Israelites. Instead, it is more likely that this expression indicates the direction and boundary limits in which the Israelites recovered their lost territory.
The Amorites: The Amorites were the most powerful of the Canaanite tribes. The inclusion of this phrase indicates that in the glorious days of the restoration of Israel under the leadership of Samuel, not only were the Philistines of the coast kept in check and gradually subdued, but the Canaanite tribes of the interior of the land submitted peacefully to Israel as well.
5. (1 Sam 7:15-17) Samuel's service as judge
Now Samuel judged Israel all the days of his life. He used to go annually on circuit to Bethel and Gilgal and Mizpah, and he judged Israel in all these places. Then his return was to Ramah, for his house was there, and there he judged Israel; and he built there an altar to the LORD.
Samuel judged Israel all the days of his life: Samuel's judgeship and influence on Israel only ended with his life. For a very long period of time--probably for at least 20 years after the triumphal victory of the Israelites over the Philistines at Ebenezer--Samuel held chief authority over Israel. Samuel's official power as judge waned after the children of Israel cried out for a king. Advanced in years, Samuel voluntarily stepped aside to allow the new king, Saul, to rule over Israel. However, Samuel's influence remained, and his authority, whenever he chose to exercise it, seems to have continued undiminished. On certain occasions such as putting to death Agag, the king of the Amalekites, King Saul and all of Israel submit to Samuel's will (See 1 Samuel 15:33).
On circuit to Bethel and Gilgal and Mizpah: These three cities are located in the southern part of Israel in the tribe of Benjamin. It appears Samuel's strongest influence was in the southern tribes. Perhaps this is an indication of the future rebellion of the northern tribes a few generations later which lead to a split in the kingdom and the rise to power of King Jeroboam over the northern tribes. Or perhaps Samuel was growing old, and Samuel was not able to travel much. These three cities could be done in a circular route of about 15 miles. Samuel's hometown of Ramah is located only a stone's throw away from Mizpah (to the south) and Bethel (to the east).
His return was to Ramah: I cannot tell you how much joy it brings me to read Samuel goes back to his place of birth. In 1 Samuel 2:21, we learn that the LORD blesses Hannah (Samuel's mother) with three sons and two daughters. I cannot help but imagine after Samuel spending his childhood ministering before the LORD at Shiloh, the joy and fun times he had visiting his brothers and sisters. (I also sincerely hope that Hannah lived a long life and was able to see her son prosper. There is also a wicked part of me that hopes Hannah was able to flaunt the success of her son before her husband's other wife (and Hannah's adversary), Peninnah. The conversation: Hannah: "Oh look Peninnuel! Here comes my son Samuel. Did you know he prayed before the LORD, and the LORD heard him and delivered the Philistines into Israel's hands? Samuel is such a special son." Peninnah remains silent.)
And he built an altar there to the LORD: Samuel follows the custom of the patriarchs. It must be remembered that at this time in history, there was no formal seat of worship, where the high priest, priests and Levites served. The Ark was being kept in private custody at Kiriath-jearim. There are no recorded religious observances at Kiriath-jearim. Samuel building an altar at Ramah allowed him as well as the rest of Israel to make sacrifices to the LORD God.
Sunday, June 4, 2017
1 Samuel Chapter 7 Part One (verses 1-9)
A. Samuel as judge
1. (1 Sam 7:1-2) The Ark at Kiriath-Jearim
And the men of Kiriath-jearim came and took the ark of the LORD and brought it into the house of Abinadab on the hill, and consecrated Eleazar his son to keep the ark of the LORD. From the day that the ark remained at Kiriath-jearim, the time was long, for it was twenty years; and all the house of Israel lamented after the LORD.
The men of Kiriath-jearim: They were selected to look after the Ark and treated the sacred chest with respect and honor. Kiriath-jearim means "city of the woods". Abinadab's house located on a hill was probably an ideal location which allowed the Ark to be visible at some distance and also provided protection. If the Philistines wanted to re-take the Ark, the safest place for the Ark was on a high outpost.
Eleazar: It is most likely that this Abinadab was a Levite. The names Eleazar, Uzzah and Ahio all of the same family (see 2 Samuel 6:3) are Levitical titles. Eleazar was set apart for special duty, being a watchman over the Ark. (Note, nothing is said that Eleazar was consecrated as a priest to the Ark; simply that he was to keep the Ark.)
For it was twenty years: Twenty years was not the whole duration of the Ark's time in Kiriath-jearim but the length of time which passed before the Israelites began to revive from their sad state of religious decline. The Ark remained in Kiriath-jearim until King David retrieves it (2 Samuel 6:2).
All the house of Israel lamented after the LORD: Finally, the Ark of the Covenant is back where it belongs, and now Israel can let go of its grief. Their cities were in ruins, their armies were defeated, thousands of their countrymen were killed in battle and there was constant threat of being attacked by the Philistines. Furthermore, they were not right with God, who could save them out of all their troubles if they just trusted in Him. Under the leadership of Samuel, Israel was able to abandon their idolatry and pagan worship, and once again seek the LORD.
2. (1 Sam 7:3-4) Samuel preaches repentance both inward and outward.
Then Samuel spoke to all the house of Israel, saying, "If you return to the LORD with all your heart, remove the foreign gods and the Ashtaroth from among you and direct your hearts to the LORD and serve Him alone; and He will deliver you from the hand of the Philistines." So the sons of Israel removed the Baals and the Ashtaroth and served the LORD alone.
Then Samuel spoke to all the house of Israel: Finally, Samuel is back! God raised up Samuel as a prophet and a judge in 1 Samuel 4:1. Then, strangely, Samuel is absent from the Ark of the Covenant ordeal. First Samuel 4:1 is the last place Samuel is mentioned, which is immediately preceding Israel's grand plan to use the Ark of the Covenant as a good luck charm to force God to deliver the Israelites from the hands of the Philistines in battle.
The strange gods: The "strange gods" phrase is the Hebrew word Baalim. This is the plural form of Baal. Ashtaroth is the plural form of Ashtoreth. The plural form of the words denote the numerous images of these deities of the different forms under which they were worshiped such as Baal-Berith, Baal-Peor and Baal-Zebub. Baal means lord and was the supreme male deity of the Phoenician and Cannanite nations and may also be associated with the Babylonian god Bel. Baal was worshiped as a god of the weather and of productive crops. Ashtoreth was the corresponding female deity and was worshiped as a god of love and sex. She was worshiped in Babylon under the name Ishtar as the goddess of battles and victories. Her symbol was a grove and frequently was represented as a wooden column or image resembling the sacred tree of the Assyrians. The worship of Ashtoreth was commonly done so in conjunction with the worship of Baal.
If you return to the LORD with all your heart: Samuel was calling the nation to repentance; the repentance had to be inward (with all your heart) and it had to be outward (put away the foreign gods). The inward repentance was more important than the outward, and it had to come first. The inward repentance is a hidden thing done in secret. No one can really "see" the heart of another. Yet, the inward was proven by the outward showing repentance. We can know if Israel did return to God with all their hearts by seeing if they did put away the foreign gods.
Serve Him alone: Israel did not feel as though they were rejecting the LORD when they worshiped other gods. Instead they felt they were only adding to their worship of the LORD. However, as the Lord Jesus tells us, it is not possible to serve two masters. "No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other" (Matthew 6:24). Samuel was telling Israel they had to turn away from the worship of foreign gods and only serve the LORD God.
So the sons of Israel removed the Baals and the Ashtaroth and served the LORD: Compelled by the words of Samuel, Israel casts aside all her false gods and turns to the LORD God. What a glorious time it was in Israel's history. The Israelites had been worshiping Baal since the wilderness when they "joined themselves to Baal-Peor" (the god of Moab). "While Israel remained at Shittim, the people began to play the harlot with the daughters of Moab. For they invited the people to the sacrifices of their gods, and the people ate and bowed down to their gods. So Israel joined themselves to Baal of Peor, and the LORD was angry against Israel" (Numbers 25:1-3).
2. (1 Sam 7:5-6) The nation repents at Mizpah
Then Samuel said, "Gather all Israel to Mizpah and I will pray to the LORD for you." They gathered at Mizpah, and drew water and poured it out before the LORD, and fasted on that day and said there, "We have sinned against the LORD." And Samuel judged the sons of Israel at Mizpah.
Gather all Israel at Mizpah: Mizpah means "the watchtower" in Hebrew, and was located in Benjamin about 5 miles from Jerusalem. Mizpah was a city which sat on a hill, overlooking the surrounding area. This was the place where Jacob separated from Laban ("Laban said, 'This heap is a witness between you and me this day.' Therefore it was named Galeed, and Mizpah, for he said, 'May the LORD watch between you and me when we are absent one from the other'" Genesis 31:48-49.) This was also the location where Israel declared civil war against their brothers, the Benjaminites, after a Levite's concubine was murdered in Gibeah. ("Then all the sons from Dan to Beersheba, including the land of Gilead, came out, and he congregation assembled as one man to the LORD at Mizpah" (Judges 20:1).
I will pray to the LORD for you: Other instances Samuel's prayers are mentioned are in 1 Samuel 8:6, 1 Samuel 12:17-19, 1 Samuel 12:23 and 1 Samuel 15:11. Samuel is seen as a type of intercessor for the people of Israel. "Moses and Aaron were among His priests, and Samuel was among those who called on His named; they called upon the LORD and He answered them" (Psalm 99:6). "Then the LORD said to me, 'Even though Moses and Samuel were to stand before Me, My heart would not be with this people; send them away from My presence and let them go!'" (Jeremiah 15:1).
Drew water and poured it out before the LORD: A symbolic act of pouring out water was a demonstration of having one's soul poured out before the LORD. It was an expression of emptiness and need. "Arise, cry aloud in the night at the beginning of the night watches; pour out you heart like water before the presence of the Lord; lift up your hands to Him for the life of your little ones who are faint because of hunger at the head of every street" (Lamentations 2:19).
And fasted on that day and said there, "We have sinned against the LORD.": As on the great day of Atonement (Leviticus 16:19), fasting was a token of humiliation and contrition for their sin. The Israelites also confessed their sins, which is a straightforward claim of responsibility and guilt. You do not have to come before a priest to confess your sin. When you are baptized, you are asking to be cleansed and reborn from your confessed sin. When you receive communion, you ask for the work of Jesus on the cross to take away your sin. Additionally, we need to confess directly to God by admitting to Him what we have done is sin. We need to ask for His forgiveness. Our sins are not forgiven based upon our confession. If forgiveness was based solely on our confession, we would be all doomed because it would be impossible to confess every sin we have ever committed. However, confession is vital to maintain our relationship with God. As God convicts us of sin, we must confess our sin and receive forgiveness. This will allow our relationship with God to continue to grow and deepen.
Samuel judged the sons of Israel: Samuel governed Israel, reformed all abuses against God, and enforced that all of God's laws should be observed and transgressions punished.
B. Samuel leads the nation to victory
1. (1 Sam 7:7) The Philistine threat
Now when the Philistines heard that the sons of Israel had gathered to Mizpah, the lords of the Philistines went up against Israel. And when the sons of Israel heard it, they were afraid of the Philistines.
When the Philistines heard: The Philistines should have been afraid when they heard that Israel had repented and turned back to God. When God is fighting for Israel, who can stand against them? However, it probably was too much for the the Philistines to understand after they were able to capture the Ark of the Covenant, the cherished icon of the Israelites. Like the Yom Kippur War of 1973, the Arabs hoped to catch the Israelites praying and open for an easy victory. However, when Israel turns to God, God goes to battle for them. "The LORD will fight for you while you keep silent" (Exodus 14:14). If only we could turn with a true repentant heart during every trying time, imagine the victories God could win for you! It worked for Joshua and the Israelites when God destroyed the walls of Jericho. "When the trumpets sounded, the army shouted, and at the sound of the trumpet, when the men gave a loud shout, the wall collapsed; so everyone charged straight in, and they took the city" (Joshua 6:20).
The Philistines assumed the large gathering at Mizpah and the destruction of the Phoenician idols meant Israel was on the move to strike the Philistines. Wanting to get the upper hand, the Philistines decided to attack when the Israelites were not expecting it.
When the sons of Israel heard it, they were afraid: Unfortunately, the Israelites did not have any more spiritual understanding than the Philistines. After having a long list of incredible miracles performed by God in their past, the Israelites should have had more confidence in the LORD. However, perhaps the recent past is still tainting their perception of God. After erroneously believing if they took the Ark of the Covenant into battle against the Philistines, God would have to fight for them. But their confidence and trust in God was false. After the stunning defeat and the loss of the Ark, Israel is still mourning the incredible defeat. Here, Israel has truly sought God, repenting and turning away from their false gods. They LORD will see a great victory; the LORD will fight this battle. Israel seemed to have more faith when they were trusting in the Ark than when they were humble and repentant before the LORD. But small faith in God is more powerful than the strongest faith in a lie.
2. (1 Sam 7:8-9) Samuel prays for the nation
Then the sons of Israel said to Samuel, "Do not cease to cry to the LORD our God for us, that He may save us from the hand of the Philistines." Samuel took a suckling lamb and offered it for a whole burnt offering to the LORD; and Samuel cried to the LORD for Israel and the LORD answered him.
Do not cease to cry out to the LORD our God for us: Finally, it seems Israel may be learning to trust the LORD. The fear on the part of the Israelites was very real--they were poorly armed and equipped for war. Assembled on the heights of the village of Mizpah, the Israelites would have been able to see the advancement of the Philistine army. It seemed there was little hope Israel could prevail. The last time they were in a similar situation, they hatched the brilliant plan to take the Ark of the Covenant into battle with them. "Let us bring the Ark of the Covenant of the LORD from Shiloh to us, that when it comes among us it may save us from the hand of our enemies" (1 Samuel 4:3). Now they seem to be a bit wiser by asking Samuel " to cry out to the LORD our God for us." Instead of looking to the Ark for salvation, now they are looking to the LORD.
And Samuel took a suckling lamb and offered it for a whole burnt offering to the LORD: It may seem odd for Samuel to take time during this critical period to make a sacrifice. But, Samuel knew he could only pray effectively in the presence of God's atoning sacrifice. A suckling lamb was a very young lamb still nursing from its mother; however, it had to be at least 8 days old (Leviticus 22:27). The young, innocent lamb had its throat cut, its blood poured out and its body burned up in a fire to the LORD. This seems like a cruel punishment for such a little animal. However, the young lamb was a symbolic representation of the punishment that should have come upon Samuel and Israel for their sins. By slaying the young animal, Israel and Samuel are able to express their gratitude for the lamb which takes away their punishment. When we trust in the Lamb of God, "who takes away the sin of the world" (John 1:29), we are able to say the same thing, "Thank you Lord for taking away my deserved punishment and for placing it upon this innocent lamb."
And the LORD answered him: The way God probably answered Samuel was by accepting the sacrifice by sending fire from heaven to consume it. (A similar situation happens during the time of the prophet Elijah: "Answer me, O LORD, answer me, that this people may know that You, O LORD, are God, and that You have turned their heart back again. Then the fire of the LORD fell and consumed the burnt offering and the wood and the stones and the dust, and licked up that water that was in the trench. When all the people saw it, they fell on their faces; and they said, 'The LORD, He is God; the LORD, He is God'" (1 Kings 18:37-39).) The LORD answering Samuel was so noteworthy, it is mentioned in Psalm 99:6: "Moses and Aaron were among His priest, and Samuel was among those who called on His name; they called upon the LORD and He answered them."
1. (1 Sam 7:1-2) The Ark at Kiriath-Jearim
And the men of Kiriath-jearim came and took the ark of the LORD and brought it into the house of Abinadab on the hill, and consecrated Eleazar his son to keep the ark of the LORD. From the day that the ark remained at Kiriath-jearim, the time was long, for it was twenty years; and all the house of Israel lamented after the LORD.
The men of Kiriath-jearim: They were selected to look after the Ark and treated the sacred chest with respect and honor. Kiriath-jearim means "city of the woods". Abinadab's house located on a hill was probably an ideal location which allowed the Ark to be visible at some distance and also provided protection. If the Philistines wanted to re-take the Ark, the safest place for the Ark was on a high outpost.
Eleazar: It is most likely that this Abinadab was a Levite. The names Eleazar, Uzzah and Ahio all of the same family (see 2 Samuel 6:3) are Levitical titles. Eleazar was set apart for special duty, being a watchman over the Ark. (Note, nothing is said that Eleazar was consecrated as a priest to the Ark; simply that he was to keep the Ark.)
For it was twenty years: Twenty years was not the whole duration of the Ark's time in Kiriath-jearim but the length of time which passed before the Israelites began to revive from their sad state of religious decline. The Ark remained in Kiriath-jearim until King David retrieves it (2 Samuel 6:2).
All the house of Israel lamented after the LORD: Finally, the Ark of the Covenant is back where it belongs, and now Israel can let go of its grief. Their cities were in ruins, their armies were defeated, thousands of their countrymen were killed in battle and there was constant threat of being attacked by the Philistines. Furthermore, they were not right with God, who could save them out of all their troubles if they just trusted in Him. Under the leadership of Samuel, Israel was able to abandon their idolatry and pagan worship, and once again seek the LORD.
2. (1 Sam 7:3-4) Samuel preaches repentance both inward and outward.
Then Samuel spoke to all the house of Israel, saying, "If you return to the LORD with all your heart, remove the foreign gods and the Ashtaroth from among you and direct your hearts to the LORD and serve Him alone; and He will deliver you from the hand of the Philistines." So the sons of Israel removed the Baals and the Ashtaroth and served the LORD alone.
Then Samuel spoke to all the house of Israel: Finally, Samuel is back! God raised up Samuel as a prophet and a judge in 1 Samuel 4:1. Then, strangely, Samuel is absent from the Ark of the Covenant ordeal. First Samuel 4:1 is the last place Samuel is mentioned, which is immediately preceding Israel's grand plan to use the Ark of the Covenant as a good luck charm to force God to deliver the Israelites from the hands of the Philistines in battle.
The strange gods: The "strange gods" phrase is the Hebrew word Baalim. This is the plural form of Baal. Ashtaroth is the plural form of Ashtoreth. The plural form of the words denote the numerous images of these deities of the different forms under which they were worshiped such as Baal-Berith, Baal-Peor and Baal-Zebub. Baal means lord and was the supreme male deity of the Phoenician and Cannanite nations and may also be associated with the Babylonian god Bel. Baal was worshiped as a god of the weather and of productive crops. Ashtoreth was the corresponding female deity and was worshiped as a god of love and sex. She was worshiped in Babylon under the name Ishtar as the goddess of battles and victories. Her symbol was a grove and frequently was represented as a wooden column or image resembling the sacred tree of the Assyrians. The worship of Ashtoreth was commonly done so in conjunction with the worship of Baal.
If you return to the LORD with all your heart: Samuel was calling the nation to repentance; the repentance had to be inward (with all your heart) and it had to be outward (put away the foreign gods). The inward repentance was more important than the outward, and it had to come first. The inward repentance is a hidden thing done in secret. No one can really "see" the heart of another. Yet, the inward was proven by the outward showing repentance. We can know if Israel did return to God with all their hearts by seeing if they did put away the foreign gods.
Serve Him alone: Israel did not feel as though they were rejecting the LORD when they worshiped other gods. Instead they felt they were only adding to their worship of the LORD. However, as the Lord Jesus tells us, it is not possible to serve two masters. "No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other" (Matthew 6:24). Samuel was telling Israel they had to turn away from the worship of foreign gods and only serve the LORD God.
So the sons of Israel removed the Baals and the Ashtaroth and served the LORD: Compelled by the words of Samuel, Israel casts aside all her false gods and turns to the LORD God. What a glorious time it was in Israel's history. The Israelites had been worshiping Baal since the wilderness when they "joined themselves to Baal-Peor" (the god of Moab). "While Israel remained at Shittim, the people began to play the harlot with the daughters of Moab. For they invited the people to the sacrifices of their gods, and the people ate and bowed down to their gods. So Israel joined themselves to Baal of Peor, and the LORD was angry against Israel" (Numbers 25:1-3).
2. (1 Sam 7:5-6) The nation repents at Mizpah
Then Samuel said, "Gather all Israel to Mizpah and I will pray to the LORD for you." They gathered at Mizpah, and drew water and poured it out before the LORD, and fasted on that day and said there, "We have sinned against the LORD." And Samuel judged the sons of Israel at Mizpah.
Gather all Israel at Mizpah: Mizpah means "the watchtower" in Hebrew, and was located in Benjamin about 5 miles from Jerusalem. Mizpah was a city which sat on a hill, overlooking the surrounding area. This was the place where Jacob separated from Laban ("Laban said, 'This heap is a witness between you and me this day.' Therefore it was named Galeed, and Mizpah, for he said, 'May the LORD watch between you and me when we are absent one from the other'" Genesis 31:48-49.) This was also the location where Israel declared civil war against their brothers, the Benjaminites, after a Levite's concubine was murdered in Gibeah. ("Then all the sons from Dan to Beersheba, including the land of Gilead, came out, and he congregation assembled as one man to the LORD at Mizpah" (Judges 20:1).
I will pray to the LORD for you: Other instances Samuel's prayers are mentioned are in 1 Samuel 8:6, 1 Samuel 12:17-19, 1 Samuel 12:23 and 1 Samuel 15:11. Samuel is seen as a type of intercessor for the people of Israel. "Moses and Aaron were among His priests, and Samuel was among those who called on His named; they called upon the LORD and He answered them" (Psalm 99:6). "Then the LORD said to me, 'Even though Moses and Samuel were to stand before Me, My heart would not be with this people; send them away from My presence and let them go!'" (Jeremiah 15:1).
Drew water and poured it out before the LORD: A symbolic act of pouring out water was a demonstration of having one's soul poured out before the LORD. It was an expression of emptiness and need. "Arise, cry aloud in the night at the beginning of the night watches; pour out you heart like water before the presence of the Lord; lift up your hands to Him for the life of your little ones who are faint because of hunger at the head of every street" (Lamentations 2:19).
And fasted on that day and said there, "We have sinned against the LORD.": As on the great day of Atonement (Leviticus 16:19), fasting was a token of humiliation and contrition for their sin. The Israelites also confessed their sins, which is a straightforward claim of responsibility and guilt. You do not have to come before a priest to confess your sin. When you are baptized, you are asking to be cleansed and reborn from your confessed sin. When you receive communion, you ask for the work of Jesus on the cross to take away your sin. Additionally, we need to confess directly to God by admitting to Him what we have done is sin. We need to ask for His forgiveness. Our sins are not forgiven based upon our confession. If forgiveness was based solely on our confession, we would be all doomed because it would be impossible to confess every sin we have ever committed. However, confession is vital to maintain our relationship with God. As God convicts us of sin, we must confess our sin and receive forgiveness. This will allow our relationship with God to continue to grow and deepen.
Samuel judged the sons of Israel: Samuel governed Israel, reformed all abuses against God, and enforced that all of God's laws should be observed and transgressions punished.
B. Samuel leads the nation to victory
1. (1 Sam 7:7) The Philistine threat
Now when the Philistines heard that the sons of Israel had gathered to Mizpah, the lords of the Philistines went up against Israel. And when the sons of Israel heard it, they were afraid of the Philistines.
When the Philistines heard: The Philistines should have been afraid when they heard that Israel had repented and turned back to God. When God is fighting for Israel, who can stand against them? However, it probably was too much for the the Philistines to understand after they were able to capture the Ark of the Covenant, the cherished icon of the Israelites. Like the Yom Kippur War of 1973, the Arabs hoped to catch the Israelites praying and open for an easy victory. However, when Israel turns to God, God goes to battle for them. "The LORD will fight for you while you keep silent" (Exodus 14:14). If only we could turn with a true repentant heart during every trying time, imagine the victories God could win for you! It worked for Joshua and the Israelites when God destroyed the walls of Jericho. "When the trumpets sounded, the army shouted, and at the sound of the trumpet, when the men gave a loud shout, the wall collapsed; so everyone charged straight in, and they took the city" (Joshua 6:20).
The Philistines assumed the large gathering at Mizpah and the destruction of the Phoenician idols meant Israel was on the move to strike the Philistines. Wanting to get the upper hand, the Philistines decided to attack when the Israelites were not expecting it.
When the sons of Israel heard it, they were afraid: Unfortunately, the Israelites did not have any more spiritual understanding than the Philistines. After having a long list of incredible miracles performed by God in their past, the Israelites should have had more confidence in the LORD. However, perhaps the recent past is still tainting their perception of God. After erroneously believing if they took the Ark of the Covenant into battle against the Philistines, God would have to fight for them. But their confidence and trust in God was false. After the stunning defeat and the loss of the Ark, Israel is still mourning the incredible defeat. Here, Israel has truly sought God, repenting and turning away from their false gods. They LORD will see a great victory; the LORD will fight this battle. Israel seemed to have more faith when they were trusting in the Ark than when they were humble and repentant before the LORD. But small faith in God is more powerful than the strongest faith in a lie.
2. (1 Sam 7:8-9) Samuel prays for the nation
Then the sons of Israel said to Samuel, "Do not cease to cry to the LORD our God for us, that He may save us from the hand of the Philistines." Samuel took a suckling lamb and offered it for a whole burnt offering to the LORD; and Samuel cried to the LORD for Israel and the LORD answered him.
Do not cease to cry out to the LORD our God for us: Finally, it seems Israel may be learning to trust the LORD. The fear on the part of the Israelites was very real--they were poorly armed and equipped for war. Assembled on the heights of the village of Mizpah, the Israelites would have been able to see the advancement of the Philistine army. It seemed there was little hope Israel could prevail. The last time they were in a similar situation, they hatched the brilliant plan to take the Ark of the Covenant into battle with them. "Let us bring the Ark of the Covenant of the LORD from Shiloh to us, that when it comes among us it may save us from the hand of our enemies" (1 Samuel 4:3). Now they seem to be a bit wiser by asking Samuel " to cry out to the LORD our God for us." Instead of looking to the Ark for salvation, now they are looking to the LORD.
And Samuel took a suckling lamb and offered it for a whole burnt offering to the LORD: It may seem odd for Samuel to take time during this critical period to make a sacrifice. But, Samuel knew he could only pray effectively in the presence of God's atoning sacrifice. A suckling lamb was a very young lamb still nursing from its mother; however, it had to be at least 8 days old (Leviticus 22:27). The young, innocent lamb had its throat cut, its blood poured out and its body burned up in a fire to the LORD. This seems like a cruel punishment for such a little animal. However, the young lamb was a symbolic representation of the punishment that should have come upon Samuel and Israel for their sins. By slaying the young animal, Israel and Samuel are able to express their gratitude for the lamb which takes away their punishment. When we trust in the Lamb of God, "who takes away the sin of the world" (John 1:29), we are able to say the same thing, "Thank you Lord for taking away my deserved punishment and for placing it upon this innocent lamb."
And the LORD answered him: The way God probably answered Samuel was by accepting the sacrifice by sending fire from heaven to consume it. (A similar situation happens during the time of the prophet Elijah: "Answer me, O LORD, answer me, that this people may know that You, O LORD, are God, and that You have turned their heart back again. Then the fire of the LORD fell and consumed the burnt offering and the wood and the stones and the dust, and licked up that water that was in the trench. When all the people saw it, they fell on their faces; and they said, 'The LORD, He is God; the LORD, He is God'" (1 Kings 18:37-39).) The LORD answering Samuel was so noteworthy, it is mentioned in Psalm 99:6: "Moses and Aaron were among His priest, and Samuel was among those who called on His name; they called upon the LORD and He answered them."
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