Saul anointed and proclaimed king
A. Saul is anointed as king over Israel
1. (1 Sam 10:1) Samuel anoints Saul
Then Samuel took the flask of oil, poured it on his head, kissed him and said, "Has not the LORD anointed you a ruler over His inheritance?"
Then Samuel took the flask of oil: No where in the Bible do we read a protocol given by God for the anointing of kings. But as seen in several places in the Old Testament, anointing an official in the designation of prophets, priests and kings was the usual rite of passage. It is interesting to note in the Hebrew, it reads "the flask of oil". This leads many to conclude that this flask was the same flask which was filled with the holy oil used for the anointing of the priests. (For a detailed account of the holy oil used for anointing the priests, please read Exodus 30:23-33.) However, the idea of anointing is a much bigger concept. In the Bible, oil represents the Holy Spirit. What happened to Saul's head and body was simply an outward representation of what God was doing to him spiritually. The Holy Spirit was being poured upon Saul, equipping him for the enormous job of being king over Israel.
According to Jewish tradition, anointing was only necessary when a new dynasty came to the throne or the succession was disrupted. Henceforth, we only find mention of it in the case of Saul; David (1 Samuel 16:3, 2 Samuel 2:4, 2 Samuel 5:3); Absalom (2 Samuel 19:10); Solomon (1 Kings 1:39); Joash (2 Kings 11:12); Jehoahaz, who was not the oldest son of Josiah (2 Kings 23:30); Jehu (2 Kings 9:3). Similar coronation ceremonies are still observed in England. The anointing is performed by the Archbishop of Canterbury, and the kiss of homage is given by the Archbishop, bishops and the premier.
Kissed him: This is a customary sign of reverential homage and not a sign of affection. ("Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and you perish in the way, for his wrath is quickly kindled. Blessed are all who take refuge in Him" (Psalm 2:11-12).)
His inheritance: That is God's chosen people. "For the LORD'S portion is His people; Jacob is the allotment of His inheritance" (Deuteronomy 32:9). "He also chose David His servant and took him form the sheepfolds; from the care of the ewes with suckling lambs He brought him to shepherd Jacob His people, and Israel His inheritance" (Psalm 79:70-71).
2. (1 Sam 10:2) Samuel tells Saul of a sign to confirm what God has done
"When you go from me today, then you find two men close to Rachel's tomb in the territory of Benjamin at Zelzah; and they will say to you, 'The donkeys which you went to look for have been found. Now behold, your father has ceased to be concerned about the donkeys and is anxious for you, saying, "What shall I do about my son?"'"
When you go from me today: Here follows Samuel's careful description of three signs which would meet Saul as he traveled from Ramah to his father's home in Benjamin. Each of these signs was meant to strengthen Saul's faith and contained a solemn lesson.
Two men close to Rachel's tomb: Rachel was one of Jacob's wives and was the mother of Benjamin. Benjamin was the ancestor to the mighty war tribe Benjamin. Saul's family lineage was through the tribe of Benjamin. This sign reminds Saul about his roots to the patriarchs.
The donkeys which you went to look for have been found: The two men meeting Saul telling the whereabouts of his father's lost sheep symbolize that from now on, Saul was to dismiss all lower cares and give himself up to higher, more important matters. A king must take counsel and thought for the entire nation. Saul must put aside now and forever more all consideration for himself and his family. God, who had chosen Saul, would provide for these things, as He had done in the case of the lost donkeys.
3. (1 Sam 10:3-4) Samuel tells Saul of another sign to confirm what God has done
"Then you will go on further from there, and you will come as far as the oak of Tabor, and there three men going up to God at Bethel will meet you, one carrying three young goats, another carrying three loaves of bread, and another carrying a jug of wine; and they will greet you and give you two loaves of bread, which you will accept from their hand."
The oak of Tabor: Nothing certain is known about this place, but there are several traditions. The word "tabor" is thought to be a dialect variation for the name Deborah. It is conjectured that this is the oak under which Rebekah's nurse was buried. ("Now Deborah, Rebekah's nurse, died, and she was buried below Bethel under the oak; it was named Allon-bacuth" Genesis 35:8.) It is also conjectured that this was the tree between Ramah and Bethel under which Deborah judged Israel. ("Now Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lappidoth, was judging Israel at that time. She used to sit under the palm tree of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in the hill country of Ephraim; and the sons of Israel came up to her for judgment" Judges 4:4-5.)
Going up to God at Bethel: The three men appear to be going up to worship and sacrifice to the LORD. The town of Bethel (formerly called Luz) is one of the most sacred spots in Israel since the time of the patriarchs. Near Bethel, Abraham built one of the first altars in the Bible, and there he "invoked the name of the Lord" (Genesis 12:8). After Abraham fled to Egypt to escape a famine in Israel, he returned to the same place near Bethel, and once again invoked the name of the Lord (Genesis 13:1-4). When Jacob was fleeing from the wrath of his brother Esau, he stopped for the night at Bethel. It is here where he encounters God in a dream in which he saw a stairway to heaven, with angels of God ascending and descending on it (Genesis 28:10-22). Bethel was one of the first places in Israel where the Ark of the Covenant was set up and where the priests offered sacrifices and inquired of God (Judges 20:18, 26-28; Judges 21:2).
Three loaves of bread: This is the minchah, or the meal offering, which would accompany the meat from the animal sacrifice. ("Now when you bring an offering of a grain offering baked in an oven, it shall be unleavened cakes of fine flour mixed with oil, or unleavened wafers spread with oil" Leviticus 2:4).
Another carrying a jug of wine: This was for the drink offering. The fourth part of a hin of wine being required for each kid (Number 15:5).
They will greet you: The three pilgrims would greet Saul, i.e., give him the usual friendly greeting of travelers, and would then present to him, a stranger, two loaves of bread intended for their offering at Bethel. By doing this, the men would acknowledge Saul as their lord (See 1 Samuel 9:7 for more commentary about gift giving.). Secondly, this sign indicated that the king would henceforth share with the sanctuary the offerings of the people. And Saul was to receive from the pilgrims' hands his present, as being now due to him, because Samuel had anointed Saul as king. As king, Saul will receive gifts. Henceforth, this was a way to confirm to Saul his position as king.
4. (1 Sam 10:5-7) Samuel tell Saul of a third sign to confirm what God has done
Afterward you will come to the hill of God where the Philistine garrison is; and it shall be as soon as you have come there to the city, that you will meet a group of prophets coming down from the high place with harp, tambourine, flute and a lyre before them, and they will be prophesying. Then the Spirit of the LORD will come upon you mightily, and you shall prophesy with them and be changed into another man. It shall be when these signs come to you, do for yourself what the occasion requires, for God is with you.
Hill of God: A better translation would be "Gibeah of God". Gibeah is a term used to denote bald rounded hills of central Israel. This place was distinguished as Gibeah of God, for there was a well-known place of worship on its summit. Many believe this was the same place which would later become Saul's place of residence, which was called Gibeah of Saul.
The garrison of the Philistines: A military post established by the Philistines to main their hold upon the Israelites.
A company of prophets: These young men probably belonged to one of the seminaries called "schools of the prophets" which were founded by the prophet Samuel for the training of young men. The founding of these schools in different parts of the country was one of the greatest works of Samuel. These schools seemed to have flourished during the time of the kings. Some of the youth who received training in these schools became public teachers of the Word. The main duty of a prophet's calling was to proclaim God's Word rather than foretell future events. Members of prophetic bands were often young (2 Kings 5:22), they frequently lived together (2 Kings 6:1-2), ate together (2 Kings 4:38), and were supported by the generosity of their fellow Israelites (2 Kings 4:42-43). Samuel provided guidance and direction for the prophetic schools in their early years, while Elijah and Elisha continued the schools during their lifetimes.
They will be prophesying: The word has nothing to do with prediction here, but rather it denotes the expression of religious feeling under the influence of inspiration in hymns. Elsewhere in Scripture, the word prophesying can also mean to chant.
The Spirit of the LORD will come mightily upon you: The Hebrew wording here is very strong and implies the Spirit will come upon you with such force it will overpower you. Although Saul was anointed with oil (an outward symbol of being anointed with the Holy Spirit), here the Holy Spirit will actually come upon Saul and dwell within him. The same Hebrew is used to describe the Holy Spirit coming upon Samson: "Then the Spirit of the LORD came mightily, and he [Samson] went down to Askelon and killed thirty of them and took their spoil and gave the changes of clothes to those who told the riddle. And his anger burned, and he went up to his father's house" (Judges 14:19). "When he [Samson] came to Lehi, the Philistines shouted as they met him. And the Spirit of the LORD came upon him mightily so that the ropes that were on his arms were as flax that is burned with fire, and his bonds dropped from his hands" (Judges 15:14).
You shall prophesy with them and be changed into another man: Before this time, Saul never seems to have been a spiritual man. So for him to prophesy--that is to break forth into praises of God and utter divers truths--was evidence that God had turned Saul into another man.
When these signs come to you: When these various circumstances happened to Saul, then he could be sure that the splendid and glorious life foretold by Samuel will indeed lie in Saul's near future. God will surely cause these things to happen and will indeed install Saul as king over Israel.
5. (1 Sam 10:8) Saul is commanded to wait for Samuel at Gilgal
"And you shall go down before me to Gilgal; and behold, I will come down to you to offer burnt offerings and sacrifice peace offerings. You shall wait seven days until I come to you and show you what you should do."
You shall wait seven days until I come to you: This is an important command for Saul. By the nature of their office, kings do not wait for anyone. On the contrary, the king's subjects are expected to wait patiently for the king. However, Samuel commands Saul to wait for him because the prophet of God had more authority than the king had over Israel. Saul had to know that even though he was a king, he had to submit to the LORD, and the LORD'S prophet. Failing to wait for Samuel will get Saul into trouble on a future occasion.
6. (1 Sam 10:9-13) The signs come to pass
Then it happened when he turned his back to leave Samuel, God changed his heart; and all those signs came about on that day. When they came to the hill there, behold, a group of prophets met him; and the Spirit of God came upon him mightily, so that he prophesied among them. It came about, when all who knew him previously saw that he prophesied now with the prophets, that the people said to one another, "What had happened to the son of Kish? Is Saul also among the prophets?" A man there said, "Now, who is their father?" Therefore it became a proverb: "Is Saul also among the prophets?" When he had finished prophesying, he came to the high place.
God changed his heart: This is a remarkable lesson for us. No matter what we do, we cannot change our own hearts, and we cannot change others' hearts. Only the Spirit of the LORD can change a man. In Scripture, "heart" means the center of a person--his spiritual life, desire, thought, feelings, etc. Saul's new heart was a gift from God.
Is Saul also among the prophets: This phrase became a proverb describing the astonishment that someone became a devout follower of the LORD. Saul was a non-spiritual man who became very spiritual at the time when the Spirit of the LORD came upon him. This proverb makes me think about drug abusers and alcoholics who hear the Gospel and turn their lives around to become devout Christians. When their family and friends hear of their conversion, they often think it is a joke or a game. "You can't be serious!? You go to church? You read the Bible? You stopped drinking/gambling/beating your wife?" Profound disbelief and astonishment accompany these questions. When the Spirit of the LORD comes mightily upon a person, their whole lives change.
Now who is their father: The meaning of the question asked by the man is: You asked about the son of Kish. But, what has birth to do with prophecy? None of these young men have inherited these gifts, and if Saul can take part in the prophesyings, why should he not? Kish, Saul's father, is no worse than the other prophets' fathers.
He came to the high place: After Saul had spent time prophesying with the company of prophets, the prophets continued on their way, descending from the high place. Saul decides to go up to the high place to offer prayers and praises to God.
7. (1 Sam 10:14-16) Saul hides his experience from his family
Now Saul's uncle said to him and his servant, "Where did you go?" And he said, "To look for the donkeys. When we saw that they could not be found, we went to Samuel." Saul's uncle said, "Please tell me what Samuel said to you." So Saul said to his uncle, "He told us plainly that the donkeys had been found." But he did not tell him about the matter of the kingdom which Samuel had mentioned.
Saul's uncle: Most probably, this uncle was Abner. Kish, the father of Saul, was evidently content that his donkeys were found and that his son had returned safely back home. No questions or dialog about his son's journey is recorded. Abner, on the other hand, was a very ambitious and restless man. He very likely sensed a change about Saul since the last time he saw him. Perhaps, Abner also may have questioned Saul's servant about the journey and found out about the high honors Samuel bestowed upon Saul and to a lesser extent on the servant as well.
But he did not tell him about the matter of the kingdom: Most likely, when Samuel revealed God's revelation to Saul regarding his future, he underscored the importance that this information was for him alone. Remember, Samuel did not even allow Saul's servant to hear the revelations, but requested for the servant to walk ahead of Saul and Samuel. God would in His own time, reveal Saul as king of Israel. It was important for Saul to keep his future a secret, especially from Abner--a man known for scheming and devising ways to trick people. If Abner would have had any information about Saul's future as king, who knows what kind of stunts and ploys he may have developed to further his family's status.
Saturday, July 15, 2017
Sunday, July 9, 2017
1 Samuel Chapter 9 Part Two (Verses 15-27)
B. Samuel and Saul Meet
1. (1 Sam 9:15-17) God tells Samuel that Saul is the man who will be king
Now a day before Saul's coming, the LORD had revealed this to Samuel saying, "About this time tomorrow I will send you a man from the land of Benjamin, and you shall anoint him to be prince over my people Israel; and he will deliver My people from the hand of the Philistines. For I have regarded My people, because their cry had come to Me." When Samuel saw Saul, the LORD said to him, "Behold, the man of whom I spoke to you? This one shall rule over my people."
The LORD had revealed this to Samuel: Literally, the Hebrew reads, "Had uncovered Samuel's ear". This is a figure of speech said to be derived from the practice of removing the hair or a corner of the turban from another's ear in order to whisper a secret into it. The same idiom is used in Ruth 4:4, "So I thought to inform you, saying, 'Buy it before those who are sitting here, and before the elders of my people. If you will redeem it, redeem it; but if not, tell me that I may know; for there is no one but you to redeem it, and I am after you.' And he said, 'I will redeem it.'"
About this time tomorrow: God gave the prophet Samuel specific details regarding future events. Samuel received this guidance and looked for the fulfillment of God's words to confirm His choice for a king. Moreover, Samuel was very wise in that he did not manipulate circumstances to make what God had said come true. Samuel received God's word and patiently waited for the LORD to fulfill His prophecy.
I will send you: Even though Israel had rejected the LORD God as their king (1 Samuel 8:7), God was still on the throne. God did not bequeath His ultimate authority because Israel had asked Him to. Instead, God would give Israel a king, not a perfect king to lead Israel to peace and prosperity, but a king which fulfilled Israel's flawed ideals of what their king should be.
He shall deliver My people from the hand of the Philistines: This sentence maybe confusing for we are told in 1 Samuel 7 that the Philistines had been defeated. . Although Samuel had decreased the yoke of the Philistines by his prayerful victory at Mizpeh; yet, the Philistine power by no means had completely been broken (See 1 Samuel chapter 7). Many times in the historical books of the Bible, distant and ultimate results of a historical event are included in the account of it. In 1 Samuel 7:13 it reads, "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." So we must conclude that the victory at Mizpeh did not fully defeat the Philistines. But rather, Saul's wars against the Philistines are included in the summary of events of 1 Samuel 7:13. Samuel's life ended near the end of Saul's reign as king.
Furthermore, Saul's office was essentially a military commander. This was in direct fulfillment of Israel's request for a king "that we also may be like all nations, that our king may judge us and go out before us and fight our battle" (1 Samuel 8:20). So although the triumphal victory God gave Israel over the Philistines occurred in 1 Samuel chapter 7, Saul continued to fight a much weakened Philistine army until their ultimate defeat came during King David's reign.
Because their cry had come to Me: Although God would not hear Israel's cry to relieve them from the oppression of their kings ("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" 1 Samuel 8:18); yet God was so gracious as to make Israel's kings instruments of deliverance from the oppression of their invading neighbors.
When Samuel saw Saul, the LORD said to him: The literal Hebrew translates as "the LORD answered him". When Samuel saw Saul, he perhaps wondered to himself if this was the man of God's prophecy. God answered the question posed by Samuel's heart with an affirmation.
This one shall rule over My people: The Hebrew phrasing here is a bit odd. The word translated as "rule over" is better rendered as coerce and restrain. Saul would rule Israel sternly and rigidly, with absolute power.
2. (1 Sam 9:18-21) Samuel and Saul meet
Then Saul approached Samuel in the gate and said, "Please tell me where the seer's house is." Samuel answered Saul and said, "I am the seer. Go up before me to the high place, for you shall eat with me today; and in the morning I will let you go, and will tell you all that is on your mind. As for your donkeys which were lost three days ago, do not set your mind of them, for they have been found. And for whom is all that is desirable in Israel? Is it not for you and for all your father's household?' Saul replied, "Am I not a Benjamite, of the smallest of the tribes of Israel, and my family the least of all the families of the tribe of Benjamin Why then do you speak to me in this way?"
In the gate: The preposition used here is translated "into the city" in verse 14. Some commentators suppose that they have found a contradiction between verse 14 and verse 18. However, it must be remembered that prepositions constantly lose their original meaning when translated. The literal translation from Hebrew means "in the middle", but it commonly means simply "within". So a better translation of verse 18 would be, "Saul and his servant were just going within the city when they met Samuel coming out."
Go up before me to the high place: Samuel's desire to have young Saul precede him to the place of public sacrifice was a sign of honor. Samuel, being a highly respected prophet and judge, granting this special privilege would have been a huge honor for Saul. Moreover, the wording "go up before me" is in the singular. Samuel addresses this special mark of honor to Saul alone and does not include Saul's servant. We have a similar custom in our society. At dinners and other special occasion meals, it is always a high honor to precede someone famous and introduce them to the audience.
For you shall eat with me today: The Hebrew switches here back to the plural. Both Saul and his servant were to eat the special meal, but only Saul was to precede Samuel to the feast. The servant would have less honor shown to him by walking behind Samuel.
And tell you all that is on your mind: Again, the Hebrew switches back to the singular. This seems to be a remark of comfort by Samuel. Saul was probably very overwhelmed with the whole situation. Here, Saul and his servant had simply wanted to inquire with the seer about the lost donkeys. In an instant, Saul's world is flipped upside down. He is now being told he is to be the guest of honor and is invited to a lavish banquet. Samuel comforts Saul by stating he will tell Saul everything that he wants to know.
And for whom is all that is desirable in Israel?: These words are intended to indicate to Saul, albeit in an obscure manner, that the supreme power of Israel would be his. Samuel hints at Saul's destiny. All Israel desired a king, and Saul would be the answer to the desire. Saul would have probably understood the meaning of these words to mean he was chosen to be the king. Moreover, Saul is not to trouble himself about the donkeys. Although the donkeys were a valuable piece of property, Saul was about to become king, to whom would belong everything that was the best and most precious. A more modern paraphrase of this sentence would be: "Why care about the donkeys? They are found. And even if they were lost, what does it matter? Is not the best that Israel has to offer at your service?"
Of the smallest tribe of Israel: This was a well known fact about the tribe of Benjamin. It was in fact very small. During the time the tribes of Israel were numbered in the wilderness, only the tribe of Manasseh was smaller than Benjamin. Then, in Judges chapter 20, all but 600 men were killed after a civil war broke out between Israel and the tribe of Benjamin. After the decimation of the tribe of Benjamin, they never recovered. They were scarcely a tribe and often were thought of as a remnant of a tribe. When the division occurred dividing Israel into a northern and southern kingdom, the tribe of Benjamin was in-grafted into Judah. The tribe of Benjamin in a certain sense lost their identity and together with Judah were often counted as one tribe.
Why then do you speak to me in this way?: This was a humble and reverent response by Saul. Perhaps Saul's humility was one reason God chose Saul to be king. Unfortunately, during his time as king, his humble spirit left him and pride and jealously filled his soul.
3. (1 Sam 9:22-24) Samuel makes certain that Saul received the seat and portion of honor at the feast.
Then Samuel took Saul and his servant and brought them into the hall and gave them a place at the head of those who were invited, who were about thirty men. Samuel said to the cook, "Bring the portion that I gave you, concerning which I said to you, 'Set it aside.'" Then the cook took up the leg with what was on it and set it before Saul. And Samuel said, "Here is what has been reserved! Set it before you and eat, because it has been kept for you until the appointed time, since I said I have invited the people." So Saul ate with Samuel that day.
Then Samuel took Saul: Samuel gives Saul no answer to his question, in which Saul expressed his bewilderment that he, being one of such insignificance, should be chosen for such a high position. Instead, it appears Saul's question was ignored, and the group of three set out for the feast.
Gave them a place at the head of those who were invited: In the Eastern culture, dinners had a special seating assignment. The seat of honor was always on a particular side of the table next to the host. It would have been a great honor to be seated next the the prophet Samuel. Moreover, not only was Saul highly exalted in public, but his servant also. In the Hebrew tradition, it is held that Saul's servant was Doeg the Edomite. On this occasion, Doeg would have had a foretaste of his future position as one of Saul's great herdsmen. ("Now one of the servants of Saul was there that day, detained before the LORD; and his name was Doeg the Edomite, the chief of Saul's shepherds" (1 Samuel 21:7).) Doeg also is the person who reports to Saul the whereabouts of David after David flees from Saul's service. Doeg subsequently is asked by King Saul to go to Nob and slay all the priests for their involvement in helping David by giving him food and prayer. (See 1 Samuel 22.) I can only imagine Doeg the Edomite, after killing all the priests and their families, probably received a nice promotion by King Saul.
About thirty men: Here we are given an important detail about the feast. It was limited to only 30 of the most distinguished people in the area. It is easy to see how the honor bestowed upon Saul is growing. First he is invited to the feast. Then, he is made to go ahead of Samuel. Then he is given a place of honor among the select few who were invited to the feast.
Samuel said to the cook: The meaning of the statement is this--all that took place in the meeting of the prophet and Saul at the sacrificial feast (and subsequent events) was arranged beforehand. Every event was foreseen and provided for, even the most trivial details.
Additionally, there is an error here in the English translation. Samuel's name is not given in Hebrew. Instead, the Hebrew reads the cook is the speaker. A more correct translation would be: "And the cook lifted up the thigh, with that which was upon it, and set it before Saul, and said, 'Behold, that which has been reserved is set before you onto the appointed time, of which he (Samuel) spoke, saying, I have invited the people.'"
Then the cook took up the leg: In addition to all the other previous honors, Saul is also given the best, most special portion. In the Eastern culture, every meal had a special portion which would be given to the one the host most wanted to honor. The portion very likely saved for Saul was the right thigh. The right thigh was reserved for the priest. ("You shall give the right thigh to the priest as a contribution from the sacrifices of the peace offerings" (Leviticus 7:32).) The right thigh would have been Samuel's, but instead of the host eating the best portion, he allocates it to Saul. The meaning of the special portion would not have been lost on the invited guests. It would have been a clear statement to all who attended that a very great honor was being set upon Saul.
Additionally, the right shoulder portion may have been a secret sign of the tremendous burden about to be placed upon Saul. Enormous strength was going to be necessary for Saul reign as king. The shoulder is both the seat of burdens and the subject of strength.
4. (1 Sam 9:25-27) Samuel and Saul talk together through the night.
When they came down from the high place into the city, Samuel spoke with Saul on the roof. And they arose early; and at daybreak Samuel called to Saul on the roof, saying, "Get up, that I may send you away." So Saul arose, and both he and Samuel went into the street. As they were going down to the edge of the city, Samuel said to Saul, "Say to the servant that he might go ahead of us and pass on, but you remain standing now, that I may proclaim the word of God to you."
Samuel spoke with Saul on the roof: After the public sacrifice, in which tremendous honors were bestowed upon Saul, now we learn that Samuel has invited Saul and his servant to stay at his place for the night. The flat rooftop in the Eastern culture was a place for quiet conversation, rest and where the honored guest was frequently lodged.
That I may proclaim the word of God to you: Samuel is now going to reveal to Saul the word of God which Samuel had received. Saul is about to discover all of Samuel's abundant honors are just a foretaste of the innumerable privileges Saul will receive as king of Israel.
1. (1 Sam 9:15-17) God tells Samuel that Saul is the man who will be king
Now a day before Saul's coming, the LORD had revealed this to Samuel saying, "About this time tomorrow I will send you a man from the land of Benjamin, and you shall anoint him to be prince over my people Israel; and he will deliver My people from the hand of the Philistines. For I have regarded My people, because their cry had come to Me." When Samuel saw Saul, the LORD said to him, "Behold, the man of whom I spoke to you? This one shall rule over my people."
The LORD had revealed this to Samuel: Literally, the Hebrew reads, "Had uncovered Samuel's ear". This is a figure of speech said to be derived from the practice of removing the hair or a corner of the turban from another's ear in order to whisper a secret into it. The same idiom is used in Ruth 4:4, "So I thought to inform you, saying, 'Buy it before those who are sitting here, and before the elders of my people. If you will redeem it, redeem it; but if not, tell me that I may know; for there is no one but you to redeem it, and I am after you.' And he said, 'I will redeem it.'"
About this time tomorrow: God gave the prophet Samuel specific details regarding future events. Samuel received this guidance and looked for the fulfillment of God's words to confirm His choice for a king. Moreover, Samuel was very wise in that he did not manipulate circumstances to make what God had said come true. Samuel received God's word and patiently waited for the LORD to fulfill His prophecy.
I will send you: Even though Israel had rejected the LORD God as their king (1 Samuel 8:7), God was still on the throne. God did not bequeath His ultimate authority because Israel had asked Him to. Instead, God would give Israel a king, not a perfect king to lead Israel to peace and prosperity, but a king which fulfilled Israel's flawed ideals of what their king should be.
He shall deliver My people from the hand of the Philistines: This sentence maybe confusing for we are told in 1 Samuel 7 that the Philistines had been defeated. . Although Samuel had decreased the yoke of the Philistines by his prayerful victory at Mizpeh; yet, the Philistine power by no means had completely been broken (See 1 Samuel chapter 7). Many times in the historical books of the Bible, distant and ultimate results of a historical event are included in the account of it. In 1 Samuel 7:13 it reads, "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." So we must conclude that the victory at Mizpeh did not fully defeat the Philistines. But rather, Saul's wars against the Philistines are included in the summary of events of 1 Samuel 7:13. Samuel's life ended near the end of Saul's reign as king.
Furthermore, Saul's office was essentially a military commander. This was in direct fulfillment of Israel's request for a king "that we also may be like all nations, that our king may judge us and go out before us and fight our battle" (1 Samuel 8:20). So although the triumphal victory God gave Israel over the Philistines occurred in 1 Samuel chapter 7, Saul continued to fight a much weakened Philistine army until their ultimate defeat came during King David's reign.
Because their cry had come to Me: Although God would not hear Israel's cry to relieve them from the oppression of their kings ("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" 1 Samuel 8:18); yet God was so gracious as to make Israel's kings instruments of deliverance from the oppression of their invading neighbors.
When Samuel saw Saul, the LORD said to him: The literal Hebrew translates as "the LORD answered him". When Samuel saw Saul, he perhaps wondered to himself if this was the man of God's prophecy. God answered the question posed by Samuel's heart with an affirmation.
This one shall rule over My people: The Hebrew phrasing here is a bit odd. The word translated as "rule over" is better rendered as coerce and restrain. Saul would rule Israel sternly and rigidly, with absolute power.
2. (1 Sam 9:18-21) Samuel and Saul meet
Then Saul approached Samuel in the gate and said, "Please tell me where the seer's house is." Samuel answered Saul and said, "I am the seer. Go up before me to the high place, for you shall eat with me today; and in the morning I will let you go, and will tell you all that is on your mind. As for your donkeys which were lost three days ago, do not set your mind of them, for they have been found. And for whom is all that is desirable in Israel? Is it not for you and for all your father's household?' Saul replied, "Am I not a Benjamite, of the smallest of the tribes of Israel, and my family the least of all the families of the tribe of Benjamin Why then do you speak to me in this way?"
In the gate: The preposition used here is translated "into the city" in verse 14. Some commentators suppose that they have found a contradiction between verse 14 and verse 18. However, it must be remembered that prepositions constantly lose their original meaning when translated. The literal translation from Hebrew means "in the middle", but it commonly means simply "within". So a better translation of verse 18 would be, "Saul and his servant were just going within the city when they met Samuel coming out."
Go up before me to the high place: Samuel's desire to have young Saul precede him to the place of public sacrifice was a sign of honor. Samuel, being a highly respected prophet and judge, granting this special privilege would have been a huge honor for Saul. Moreover, the wording "go up before me" is in the singular. Samuel addresses this special mark of honor to Saul alone and does not include Saul's servant. We have a similar custom in our society. At dinners and other special occasion meals, it is always a high honor to precede someone famous and introduce them to the audience.
For you shall eat with me today: The Hebrew switches here back to the plural. Both Saul and his servant were to eat the special meal, but only Saul was to precede Samuel to the feast. The servant would have less honor shown to him by walking behind Samuel.
And tell you all that is on your mind: Again, the Hebrew switches back to the singular. This seems to be a remark of comfort by Samuel. Saul was probably very overwhelmed with the whole situation. Here, Saul and his servant had simply wanted to inquire with the seer about the lost donkeys. In an instant, Saul's world is flipped upside down. He is now being told he is to be the guest of honor and is invited to a lavish banquet. Samuel comforts Saul by stating he will tell Saul everything that he wants to know.
And for whom is all that is desirable in Israel?: These words are intended to indicate to Saul, albeit in an obscure manner, that the supreme power of Israel would be his. Samuel hints at Saul's destiny. All Israel desired a king, and Saul would be the answer to the desire. Saul would have probably understood the meaning of these words to mean he was chosen to be the king. Moreover, Saul is not to trouble himself about the donkeys. Although the donkeys were a valuable piece of property, Saul was about to become king, to whom would belong everything that was the best and most precious. A more modern paraphrase of this sentence would be: "Why care about the donkeys? They are found. And even if they were lost, what does it matter? Is not the best that Israel has to offer at your service?"
Of the smallest tribe of Israel: This was a well known fact about the tribe of Benjamin. It was in fact very small. During the time the tribes of Israel were numbered in the wilderness, only the tribe of Manasseh was smaller than Benjamin. Then, in Judges chapter 20, all but 600 men were killed after a civil war broke out between Israel and the tribe of Benjamin. After the decimation of the tribe of Benjamin, they never recovered. They were scarcely a tribe and often were thought of as a remnant of a tribe. When the division occurred dividing Israel into a northern and southern kingdom, the tribe of Benjamin was in-grafted into Judah. The tribe of Benjamin in a certain sense lost their identity and together with Judah were often counted as one tribe.
Why then do you speak to me in this way?: This was a humble and reverent response by Saul. Perhaps Saul's humility was one reason God chose Saul to be king. Unfortunately, during his time as king, his humble spirit left him and pride and jealously filled his soul.
3. (1 Sam 9:22-24) Samuel makes certain that Saul received the seat and portion of honor at the feast.
Then Samuel took Saul and his servant and brought them into the hall and gave them a place at the head of those who were invited, who were about thirty men. Samuel said to the cook, "Bring the portion that I gave you, concerning which I said to you, 'Set it aside.'" Then the cook took up the leg with what was on it and set it before Saul. And Samuel said, "Here is what has been reserved! Set it before you and eat, because it has been kept for you until the appointed time, since I said I have invited the people." So Saul ate with Samuel that day.
Then Samuel took Saul: Samuel gives Saul no answer to his question, in which Saul expressed his bewilderment that he, being one of such insignificance, should be chosen for such a high position. Instead, it appears Saul's question was ignored, and the group of three set out for the feast.
Gave them a place at the head of those who were invited: In the Eastern culture, dinners had a special seating assignment. The seat of honor was always on a particular side of the table next to the host. It would have been a great honor to be seated next the the prophet Samuel. Moreover, not only was Saul highly exalted in public, but his servant also. In the Hebrew tradition, it is held that Saul's servant was Doeg the Edomite. On this occasion, Doeg would have had a foretaste of his future position as one of Saul's great herdsmen. ("Now one of the servants of Saul was there that day, detained before the LORD; and his name was Doeg the Edomite, the chief of Saul's shepherds" (1 Samuel 21:7).) Doeg also is the person who reports to Saul the whereabouts of David after David flees from Saul's service. Doeg subsequently is asked by King Saul to go to Nob and slay all the priests for their involvement in helping David by giving him food and prayer. (See 1 Samuel 22.) I can only imagine Doeg the Edomite, after killing all the priests and their families, probably received a nice promotion by King Saul.
About thirty men: Here we are given an important detail about the feast. It was limited to only 30 of the most distinguished people in the area. It is easy to see how the honor bestowed upon Saul is growing. First he is invited to the feast. Then, he is made to go ahead of Samuel. Then he is given a place of honor among the select few who were invited to the feast.
Samuel said to the cook: The meaning of the statement is this--all that took place in the meeting of the prophet and Saul at the sacrificial feast (and subsequent events) was arranged beforehand. Every event was foreseen and provided for, even the most trivial details.
Additionally, there is an error here in the English translation. Samuel's name is not given in Hebrew. Instead, the Hebrew reads the cook is the speaker. A more correct translation would be: "And the cook lifted up the thigh, with that which was upon it, and set it before Saul, and said, 'Behold, that which has been reserved is set before you onto the appointed time, of which he (Samuel) spoke, saying, I have invited the people.'"
Then the cook took up the leg: In addition to all the other previous honors, Saul is also given the best, most special portion. In the Eastern culture, every meal had a special portion which would be given to the one the host most wanted to honor. The portion very likely saved for Saul was the right thigh. The right thigh was reserved for the priest. ("You shall give the right thigh to the priest as a contribution from the sacrifices of the peace offerings" (Leviticus 7:32).) The right thigh would have been Samuel's, but instead of the host eating the best portion, he allocates it to Saul. The meaning of the special portion would not have been lost on the invited guests. It would have been a clear statement to all who attended that a very great honor was being set upon Saul.
Additionally, the right shoulder portion may have been a secret sign of the tremendous burden about to be placed upon Saul. Enormous strength was going to be necessary for Saul reign as king. The shoulder is both the seat of burdens and the subject of strength.
4. (1 Sam 9:25-27) Samuel and Saul talk together through the night.
When they came down from the high place into the city, Samuel spoke with Saul on the roof. And they arose early; and at daybreak Samuel called to Saul on the roof, saying, "Get up, that I may send you away." So Saul arose, and both he and Samuel went into the street. As they were going down to the edge of the city, Samuel said to Saul, "Say to the servant that he might go ahead of us and pass on, but you remain standing now, that I may proclaim the word of God to you."
Samuel spoke with Saul on the roof: After the public sacrifice, in which tremendous honors were bestowed upon Saul, now we learn that Samuel has invited Saul and his servant to stay at his place for the night. The flat rooftop in the Eastern culture was a place for quiet conversation, rest and where the honored guest was frequently lodged.
That I may proclaim the word of God to you: Samuel is now going to reveal to Saul the word of God which Samuel had received. Saul is about to discover all of Samuel's abundant honors are just a foretaste of the innumerable privileges Saul will receive as king of Israel.
Saturday, July 1, 2017
1 Samuel Chapter 9 Part One (Verses 1-14)
GOD LEADS SAUL TO SAMUEL
A. Saul searches for his father's donkeys
1. (1 Sam 9:1-2) Kish, the father of Saul, and his son Saul
Now there was a man of Benjamin whose name was Kish the son of Abiel, the son of Zeror, the son of Becorath, the son of Aphiah, the son of a Benjaminite, a mighty man of valor. He had a son whose name was Saul, a choice and handsome man, and there was not a more handsome person than he among the sons of Israel; from the shoulders and up he was taller than any of the people.
Another stream of events: Chapter 8 recorded the events of the Israelites rejecting Samuel's sons as being judges over them and demanding a king to reign over them. At the end of chapter 8, Samuel tell the elders of Israel to return back to their homes. Now, the story shifts. We are introduced to Saul, the future first king of Israel. We begin another adventure as we learn how Saul meets Samuel and is anointed king of Israel.
Genealogy: The genealogy of Saul given here is incomplete. As is the Jewish custom, this is only an abbreviated summary of his family ancestry. Other abbreviated versions of Saul's genealogy are given in the Book of First Chronicles, which includes some of the same names, omits some names and includes other names. The best genealogy which can be generated based on the information is as follows: Benjamin, Becher, Aphish (perhaps the same as Abiah), Bechorath, Zeror (or Zur), Abiel, Ner, Kish, Saul.
A mighty man of valor: The Hebrew here may either mean Kish was a man of valor as is the Hebrew used in 1 Samuel 16:18: "Then one of the young men said, 'Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite who is a skillful musician, a mighty man of valor, a warrior, one prudent in speech, and a handsome man; and the LORD is with him.'" Or the Hebrew may imply Kish was a wealthy man, as used in Ruth 2:1: "Now Naomi had a kinsman of her husband, a man of great wealth, of the family of Elimelech, whose name was Boaz." The verse most likely implies Kish was a man of valor based upon Saul's remark about his family's low status in 1 Samuel 9:21: " Saul replied, 'Am I not a Benjamite, of the smallest of the tribes of Israel, and my family the least of all the families of the tribe of Benjamin why then do you speak to me in this way?'" If you wish to have the Greek Septuagint influence your decision which meaning of the Hebrew to render for this verse, the Greek version translates this verse as "a powerful man".
Saul: The name Saul means "asked". It was one of the most distinguished names in the Old Testament as well as the New Testament. (The Apostle Paul's Hebrew name was Saul.)
A choice and handsome man: Saul had a fine appearance. He probably "looked" like a king. Israel wanted a king to rule over them, and Saul was just the man for them. Notice how we are told all about Saul's family and his appearance, but there is no mention of his relationship with God? This represents Israel's current state as well. They were all about appearances, wanting to look like other nations while at the same time, turning their backs on God.
From the shoulders and up he was taller than any of the people: Some scholars believe Saul was almost a giant, measuring in at just under seven feet tall. I, on the other hand, think Saul was probably more about six feet tall. In general, Jews are not tall. From my experience, a Jew six feet tall is considered to be a giant. So Saul may not have been extremely tall, just tall for a Jew.
2. (1 Sam 9:3-10) Saul and his servant search for his father's donkeys
Now the donkeys of Kish, Saul's father, were lost. So Kish said to his son Saul, "Take now with you one of the servants, and arise, go search for the donkeys." He passed through the hill country of Ephraim and passed through the land of Shalishah, but they were not there. Then they passed through the land of Shaalim, but they were not there. Then he passed through the land of the Benjamites, but they did not find them. When they came to the land of Zuph, Saul said to his servant who was with him, "Come, and let us return, or else my father will cease to be concerned about the donkeys and will become anxious for us." He said to him, "Behold now, there is a man of God in this city, and the man is held in honor; all that he says surely comes true. Now let us go there, perhaps he can tell us about our journey on which we have set out." Then Saul said to his servant, "But behold, if we go, what shall we bring the man? For the bread is gone from our sack and there is no present to bring to the man of God. What do we have?" The servant answered Saul again and said, "Behold, I have in my hand a fourth of a shekel of silver; I will give it to the man of God and he will tell us our way." (Formerly in Israel, when a man went to inquire of God, he used to say, "Come, and let us go to the seer"; for he who is called a prophet now was formerly called a seer.) Then Saul said to his servant, "Well said; come, let us go." So they went to the city where the man of God was.
The donkeys of Kish...were lost: Donkeys in ancient times were valuable animals. With the scarcity of horses, donkeys were a valuable commodity for farm work and travelling. Shepherds in pastoral regions often let their animals roam abroad during the grazing season. At the close of grazing season, search parties were dispensed to find the roaming animals. Saul's original mission was nothing extraordinary. (Interesting to note, Saul's mission which resulted in Samuel anointing him as king involves the search for donkeys. Jesus, the ultimate King of kings, rides into Jerusalem seated on a donkey.)
Saul's journey: The route which Saul traveled cannot be traced with any certainty. He would have started at his home in Gibeah, traveling in a northwest direction through Mount Ephraim and through the land of Shalishah. Then turning south, he traveled through the land of Shaalim in the territory of Dan. Then turning east, he searched the western part of the land of Benjamin until the reached the land of Zuph (in which lay Samuel's hometown of Ramah). It seems probable that the unnamed city of 1 Samuel 9:6 is Ramah for Saul's servant speaks of it as the prophet's regular residence (1 Sam 9:6). Moreover, it is easy to connect the land of Zuph, in which it was situated, with Ramah's full name Ramathaim-Zophim (see 1 Samuel 1:1).
They did not find them...they were not there...did not find them: It is interesting to read about Saul's long journey to find the lost donkeys. Although Saul and his servant tried and tried to find the donkeys, they never completed their mission. Instead, God was directing the donkeys. God was using this journey to lead Saul to Samuel. I wonder how frustrated Saul and his servant must have been after not finding the donkeys? Little did they know, God had other plans for their journey. How often are we on a seemingly unsuccessful mission? We search and search for something, only never to find. Or we desire to accomplish a task only to be lead astray on another mission. Are we able to keep our eyes open and appreciate God is directing our paths Or are we too consumed with the task at hand and are blind to God's handiwork?
Come, and let us return: This is such an loving insight into Saul's relationship with his father. Saul is searching for valuable donkeys; yet, he knows if he is gone from home too long, his father will be worried about him. What a beautiful relationship Saul must have had with his father.
Behold now, there is a man of God in this city: Seeing they were in Ramah, the home residence of Samuel the prophet, Saul's servant suggests going to inquire of Samuel. It seems strange that Saul did not know anything about Samuel. But, perhaps, the days of Samuel's triumphal prayer to God, which defeated the Philistines, and his long history of judging Israel was now being forgotten. Samuel was growing old. Saul's family might not have kept up the oral tradition of passing down the past to their children. With Saul tending the donkeys and busy with the work of the farm, he may not have had little knowledge of people beyond his neighborhood.
What shall we bring the man?: It might seem strange that a man of God would need a gift in order to proclaim God's Word. But, what is more probably being referred to here is the custom of offering a gift as a respectful homage to a superior than as a fee for service charge. In fact, in 2 Kings chapter five, we read about Elisha refusing a lavish gift for his prophet services. When Naaman, captain of the army of the king of Aram, visits Israel to ask to be cleansed of his leprosy, the prophet Elisha tells Naaman to dip himself seven times in Jordan River and he will be cleansed. After following Elisha instructions and being cleansed from leprosy, Naaman offers Elisha a large sum of money and ten sets of clothing; Elisha refuses the gift. "When he [Naaman] returned to the man of God with all his company, and came and stood before him [Elisha], he said, 'Behold now, I know that there is no God in all the earth, but in Israel; so please take a present from your servant now.' But he said, 'As the LORD lives, before whom I stand, I will take nothing.' And he urged him to take it, but he refused" (2 Kings 5:15-16).
There are many accounts in which gifts are given to honor a person. When Jacob sends his sons back to Egypt with Benjamin to obtain more food during the time of famine, he sends an abundance of gifts: "Then their father Israel said to them, "If it must be so, then do this: take some of the best products of the land in your bags, and carry them down to the man as a present, a little balm and a little honey, aromatic gum and myrrh, pistachio nuts and almonds" (Genesis 43:11). The Queen of Sheba sends an elaborate amount of goods to Solomon when she visits him at Jerusalem: "She gave the king a hundred and twenty talents of gold, and a very great amount of spices and precious stones. Never again did such abundance of spices come in as that which the queen of Sheba gave King Solomon" (1 Kings 10:10).
Moreover, gifts are almost always mentioned whenever a person inquired of a prophet. In 1 Kings 14:3 we read: "Jeroboam said to his wife, 'Arise now, and disguise yourself so that they will not know that you are the wife of Jeroboam, and go to Shiloh; behold, Abijah the prophet is there, who spoke concerning me that I would be king over this people. Take ten loaves with you, some cakes and a jar of honey, and go to him. He will tell you what will happen to the boy.'"
Fourth part of a shekel of silver: Little is known about the shekel during this time in history. We do not know the size of the coin or the worth of the coin. The only thing we can surmise from the narrative is a shekel could be broken into four parts. It is likely that a shekel was a single coin. When a person needed to purchase something, the coin could be broken into four parts.
Formerly in Israel...:And now for a little Hebrew. This parenthetical statement appears to have been added by a scribe as a point of clarification in the text. The word "seer" is the Hebrew word "ra'ah". It is an ancient title which denotes a man inspired by God. "Ra'ah" was the word used most often to describe Samuel. During Samuel's lifetime, the word "nabi" began to be the commonly used word to describe a prophet. There are a few places in the Bible in which Samuel is referred to as "nabi. As time passed, "ra'ah" became an obsolete word and no longer was exclusively used for a man of God. The scribe who added this point of clarification did so to point out that when Samuel lived, "ra'ah" was the word always used for a prophet of the LORD.
So they went to the city where the man of God was: The name of the city where Samuel and Saul first meet is strangely not given. It seems implied the city was Ramah, for we know from 1 Samuel 7:17, Samuel had a house in Ramah. Saul's servant seemed to know that Samuel dwelt in this city, and in 1 Samuel 9:18, Saul asks Samuel where his house is. Like other mysteries in the Bible, it is unknown why the name of the city is not specifically mentioned in the text. However, using the narrative as a guide, we can guess the city in which Saul and his servant are about to enter is the city of Ramah.
3. (1 Sam 9:11-14) Saul and his servant inquire where to find the seer
As they went up the slope to the city, they found young women going out to draw water and said to them, "Is the seer here?" They answered them and said, "He is; see, he is ahead of you. Hurry now, for he has some into the city today, for the people have a sacrifice on the high place today. As soon as you enter the city you will find him before he goes up to the high place to eat, for the people will not eat until he comes, because he must bless the sacrifice; afterward those who are invited will eat. Now therefore, go up for you will find him at once." So they went up to the city. As they came into the city, behold, Samuel was coming out toward them to go up to the high place.
As they went up: Ramah was situated on a hill. The city wells were usually located outside the city gates on low ground or in a valley. Women going out to draw water from the well was a common task in the ancient mid-east. Isaac's servant meet Rebekah at a well as she came to draw water (Genesis 24:15). Jacob meets Rachel at the well as she came to water her father's sheep (Genesis 29). Moses also meets his future wife at a well in Midian. "Now the priest of Midian had seven daughters; and they came to draw water and filled the troughs to water their father's flocks" (Exodus 2:16).
For the people have a sacrifice: The exact celebration for the sacrifice is not mentioned. Since it was not an area-wide event, we can probably rule out the special occasion was a main feast day such as Passover, Shavuot or Tabernacles. Instead, it could have been a lesser feast such as a new moon celebration or possibly come other special thanksgiving offering.
In the high place: Here was the altar which Samue built in 1 Samuel 7:17 ("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.") A natural instinct is to build a place of worship on top of hills. Such high places were frequently used as places to worship God. These high places were not against the Torah as long as there was no formal place of worship. With Shiloh being destroyed by the Philistines and the Ark of the Covenant being housed in a private residence at Kiriath-jearim, the altar built at Ramah was a place for public worship to God. Since there was no formal place to worship God, this altar was not against Deuteronomy 12:11-14: "Then it shall come about that the place in which the LORD your God will choose for His name to dwell, there you shall bring all that I command you: your burnt offerings and your sacrifices, your tithes and the contribution of your hand, and all your choice votive offerings which you will vow to the LORD. And you shall rejoice before the LORD your God, you and your sons and daughters, your male and female servants, and the Levite who is within your gates, since he has no portion or inheritance with you. Be careful that you do not offer your burnt offerings in every cultic place you see, but in the place which the LORD chooses in one of your tribes, there you shall offer your burnt offerings, and there you shall do all that I command you."
A. Saul searches for his father's donkeys
1. (1 Sam 9:1-2) Kish, the father of Saul, and his son Saul
Now there was a man of Benjamin whose name was Kish the son of Abiel, the son of Zeror, the son of Becorath, the son of Aphiah, the son of a Benjaminite, a mighty man of valor. He had a son whose name was Saul, a choice and handsome man, and there was not a more handsome person than he among the sons of Israel; from the shoulders and up he was taller than any of the people.
Another stream of events: Chapter 8 recorded the events of the Israelites rejecting Samuel's sons as being judges over them and demanding a king to reign over them. At the end of chapter 8, Samuel tell the elders of Israel to return back to their homes. Now, the story shifts. We are introduced to Saul, the future first king of Israel. We begin another adventure as we learn how Saul meets Samuel and is anointed king of Israel.
Genealogy: The genealogy of Saul given here is incomplete. As is the Jewish custom, this is only an abbreviated summary of his family ancestry. Other abbreviated versions of Saul's genealogy are given in the Book of First Chronicles, which includes some of the same names, omits some names and includes other names. The best genealogy which can be generated based on the information is as follows: Benjamin, Becher, Aphish (perhaps the same as Abiah), Bechorath, Zeror (or Zur), Abiel, Ner, Kish, Saul.
A mighty man of valor: The Hebrew here may either mean Kish was a man of valor as is the Hebrew used in 1 Samuel 16:18: "Then one of the young men said, 'Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite who is a skillful musician, a mighty man of valor, a warrior, one prudent in speech, and a handsome man; and the LORD is with him.'" Or the Hebrew may imply Kish was a wealthy man, as used in Ruth 2:1: "Now Naomi had a kinsman of her husband, a man of great wealth, of the family of Elimelech, whose name was Boaz." The verse most likely implies Kish was a man of valor based upon Saul's remark about his family's low status in 1 Samuel 9:21: " Saul replied, 'Am I not a Benjamite, of the smallest of the tribes of Israel, and my family the least of all the families of the tribe of Benjamin why then do you speak to me in this way?'" If you wish to have the Greek Septuagint influence your decision which meaning of the Hebrew to render for this verse, the Greek version translates this verse as "a powerful man".
Saul: The name Saul means "asked". It was one of the most distinguished names in the Old Testament as well as the New Testament. (The Apostle Paul's Hebrew name was Saul.)
A choice and handsome man: Saul had a fine appearance. He probably "looked" like a king. Israel wanted a king to rule over them, and Saul was just the man for them. Notice how we are told all about Saul's family and his appearance, but there is no mention of his relationship with God? This represents Israel's current state as well. They were all about appearances, wanting to look like other nations while at the same time, turning their backs on God.
From the shoulders and up he was taller than any of the people: Some scholars believe Saul was almost a giant, measuring in at just under seven feet tall. I, on the other hand, think Saul was probably more about six feet tall. In general, Jews are not tall. From my experience, a Jew six feet tall is considered to be a giant. So Saul may not have been extremely tall, just tall for a Jew.
2. (1 Sam 9:3-10) Saul and his servant search for his father's donkeys
Now the donkeys of Kish, Saul's father, were lost. So Kish said to his son Saul, "Take now with you one of the servants, and arise, go search for the donkeys." He passed through the hill country of Ephraim and passed through the land of Shalishah, but they were not there. Then they passed through the land of Shaalim, but they were not there. Then he passed through the land of the Benjamites, but they did not find them. When they came to the land of Zuph, Saul said to his servant who was with him, "Come, and let us return, or else my father will cease to be concerned about the donkeys and will become anxious for us." He said to him, "Behold now, there is a man of God in this city, and the man is held in honor; all that he says surely comes true. Now let us go there, perhaps he can tell us about our journey on which we have set out." Then Saul said to his servant, "But behold, if we go, what shall we bring the man? For the bread is gone from our sack and there is no present to bring to the man of God. What do we have?" The servant answered Saul again and said, "Behold, I have in my hand a fourth of a shekel of silver; I will give it to the man of God and he will tell us our way." (Formerly in Israel, when a man went to inquire of God, he used to say, "Come, and let us go to the seer"; for he who is called a prophet now was formerly called a seer.) Then Saul said to his servant, "Well said; come, let us go." So they went to the city where the man of God was.
The donkeys of Kish...were lost: Donkeys in ancient times were valuable animals. With the scarcity of horses, donkeys were a valuable commodity for farm work and travelling. Shepherds in pastoral regions often let their animals roam abroad during the grazing season. At the close of grazing season, search parties were dispensed to find the roaming animals. Saul's original mission was nothing extraordinary. (Interesting to note, Saul's mission which resulted in Samuel anointing him as king involves the search for donkeys. Jesus, the ultimate King of kings, rides into Jerusalem seated on a donkey.)
Saul's journey: The route which Saul traveled cannot be traced with any certainty. He would have started at his home in Gibeah, traveling in a northwest direction through Mount Ephraim and through the land of Shalishah. Then turning south, he traveled through the land of Shaalim in the territory of Dan. Then turning east, he searched the western part of the land of Benjamin until the reached the land of Zuph (in which lay Samuel's hometown of Ramah). It seems probable that the unnamed city of 1 Samuel 9:6 is Ramah for Saul's servant speaks of it as the prophet's regular residence (1 Sam 9:6). Moreover, it is easy to connect the land of Zuph, in which it was situated, with Ramah's full name Ramathaim-Zophim (see 1 Samuel 1:1).
They did not find them...they were not there...did not find them: It is interesting to read about Saul's long journey to find the lost donkeys. Although Saul and his servant tried and tried to find the donkeys, they never completed their mission. Instead, God was directing the donkeys. God was using this journey to lead Saul to Samuel. I wonder how frustrated Saul and his servant must have been after not finding the donkeys? Little did they know, God had other plans for their journey. How often are we on a seemingly unsuccessful mission? We search and search for something, only never to find. Or we desire to accomplish a task only to be lead astray on another mission. Are we able to keep our eyes open and appreciate God is directing our paths Or are we too consumed with the task at hand and are blind to God's handiwork?
Come, and let us return: This is such an loving insight into Saul's relationship with his father. Saul is searching for valuable donkeys; yet, he knows if he is gone from home too long, his father will be worried about him. What a beautiful relationship Saul must have had with his father.
Behold now, there is a man of God in this city: Seeing they were in Ramah, the home residence of Samuel the prophet, Saul's servant suggests going to inquire of Samuel. It seems strange that Saul did not know anything about Samuel. But, perhaps, the days of Samuel's triumphal prayer to God, which defeated the Philistines, and his long history of judging Israel was now being forgotten. Samuel was growing old. Saul's family might not have kept up the oral tradition of passing down the past to their children. With Saul tending the donkeys and busy with the work of the farm, he may not have had little knowledge of people beyond his neighborhood.
What shall we bring the man?: It might seem strange that a man of God would need a gift in order to proclaim God's Word. But, what is more probably being referred to here is the custom of offering a gift as a respectful homage to a superior than as a fee for service charge. In fact, in 2 Kings chapter five, we read about Elisha refusing a lavish gift for his prophet services. When Naaman, captain of the army of the king of Aram, visits Israel to ask to be cleansed of his leprosy, the prophet Elisha tells Naaman to dip himself seven times in Jordan River and he will be cleansed. After following Elisha instructions and being cleansed from leprosy, Naaman offers Elisha a large sum of money and ten sets of clothing; Elisha refuses the gift. "When he [Naaman] returned to the man of God with all his company, and came and stood before him [Elisha], he said, 'Behold now, I know that there is no God in all the earth, but in Israel; so please take a present from your servant now.' But he said, 'As the LORD lives, before whom I stand, I will take nothing.' And he urged him to take it, but he refused" (2 Kings 5:15-16).
There are many accounts in which gifts are given to honor a person. When Jacob sends his sons back to Egypt with Benjamin to obtain more food during the time of famine, he sends an abundance of gifts: "Then their father Israel said to them, "If it must be so, then do this: take some of the best products of the land in your bags, and carry them down to the man as a present, a little balm and a little honey, aromatic gum and myrrh, pistachio nuts and almonds" (Genesis 43:11). The Queen of Sheba sends an elaborate amount of goods to Solomon when she visits him at Jerusalem: "She gave the king a hundred and twenty talents of gold, and a very great amount of spices and precious stones. Never again did such abundance of spices come in as that which the queen of Sheba gave King Solomon" (1 Kings 10:10).
Moreover, gifts are almost always mentioned whenever a person inquired of a prophet. In 1 Kings 14:3 we read: "Jeroboam said to his wife, 'Arise now, and disguise yourself so that they will not know that you are the wife of Jeroboam, and go to Shiloh; behold, Abijah the prophet is there, who spoke concerning me that I would be king over this people. Take ten loaves with you, some cakes and a jar of honey, and go to him. He will tell you what will happen to the boy.'"
Fourth part of a shekel of silver: Little is known about the shekel during this time in history. We do not know the size of the coin or the worth of the coin. The only thing we can surmise from the narrative is a shekel could be broken into four parts. It is likely that a shekel was a single coin. When a person needed to purchase something, the coin could be broken into four parts.
Formerly in Israel...:And now for a little Hebrew. This parenthetical statement appears to have been added by a scribe as a point of clarification in the text. The word "seer" is the Hebrew word "ra'ah". It is an ancient title which denotes a man inspired by God. "Ra'ah" was the word used most often to describe Samuel. During Samuel's lifetime, the word "nabi" began to be the commonly used word to describe a prophet. There are a few places in the Bible in which Samuel is referred to as "nabi. As time passed, "ra'ah" became an obsolete word and no longer was exclusively used for a man of God. The scribe who added this point of clarification did so to point out that when Samuel lived, "ra'ah" was the word always used for a prophet of the LORD.
So they went to the city where the man of God was: The name of the city where Samuel and Saul first meet is strangely not given. It seems implied the city was Ramah, for we know from 1 Samuel 7:17, Samuel had a house in Ramah. Saul's servant seemed to know that Samuel dwelt in this city, and in 1 Samuel 9:18, Saul asks Samuel where his house is. Like other mysteries in the Bible, it is unknown why the name of the city is not specifically mentioned in the text. However, using the narrative as a guide, we can guess the city in which Saul and his servant are about to enter is the city of Ramah.
3. (1 Sam 9:11-14) Saul and his servant inquire where to find the seer
As they went up the slope to the city, they found young women going out to draw water and said to them, "Is the seer here?" They answered them and said, "He is; see, he is ahead of you. Hurry now, for he has some into the city today, for the people have a sacrifice on the high place today. As soon as you enter the city you will find him before he goes up to the high place to eat, for the people will not eat until he comes, because he must bless the sacrifice; afterward those who are invited will eat. Now therefore, go up for you will find him at once." So they went up to the city. As they came into the city, behold, Samuel was coming out toward them to go up to the high place.
As they went up: Ramah was situated on a hill. The city wells were usually located outside the city gates on low ground or in a valley. Women going out to draw water from the well was a common task in the ancient mid-east. Isaac's servant meet Rebekah at a well as she came to draw water (Genesis 24:15). Jacob meets Rachel at the well as she came to water her father's sheep (Genesis 29). Moses also meets his future wife at a well in Midian. "Now the priest of Midian had seven daughters; and they came to draw water and filled the troughs to water their father's flocks" (Exodus 2:16).
For the people have a sacrifice: The exact celebration for the sacrifice is not mentioned. Since it was not an area-wide event, we can probably rule out the special occasion was a main feast day such as Passover, Shavuot or Tabernacles. Instead, it could have been a lesser feast such as a new moon celebration or possibly come other special thanksgiving offering.
In the high place: Here was the altar which Samue built in 1 Samuel 7:17 ("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.") A natural instinct is to build a place of worship on top of hills. Such high places were frequently used as places to worship God. These high places were not against the Torah as long as there was no formal place of worship. With Shiloh being destroyed by the Philistines and the Ark of the Covenant being housed in a private residence at Kiriath-jearim, the altar built at Ramah was a place for public worship to God. Since there was no formal place to worship God, this altar was not against Deuteronomy 12:11-14: "Then it shall come about that the place in which the LORD your God will choose for His name to dwell, there you shall bring all that I command you: your burnt offerings and your sacrifices, your tithes and the contribution of your hand, and all your choice votive offerings which you will vow to the LORD. And you shall rejoice before the LORD your God, you and your sons and daughters, your male and female servants, and the Levite who is within your gates, since he has no portion or inheritance with you. Be careful that you do not offer your burnt offerings in every cultic place you see, but in the place which the LORD chooses in one of your tribes, there you shall offer your burnt offerings, and there you shall do all that I command you."
Sunday, June 25, 2017
1 Samuel Chapter 8 Part Two (Verses 10-22)
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!
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 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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