Bible in 365 Days

1 Samuel 1-3

1 Samuel 1

The first Book of Samuel covers a period of transition in the history of the nation, dealing with the process from the judges to the kings. The condition of the people under the Judges, as we have seen, was one of degeneracy.

It was during this period that they practically rejected God as their one King. The clamor for an earthly king which followed was the natural outcome of this practical rejection. The first movement of the Book deals with the story of Samuel, the last, and in some senses, the best of the judges.

It opens with a simple story, full of ordinary human emotion. Polygamy was still practiced. Elkanah was the husband of two wives, Peninnah, and Hannah. Hannah, persecuted by Peninnah, prayed earnestly that she might no longer be childless, making a vow that if a boy were granted to her he would be consecrated to the Lord. The promised consecration was twofold. It was to be life-long. As a Levite, and the son of a Levite, he would be called on to render a certain period of service, but before his birth his mother dedicated him for life. Her vow, moreover, covered not only the length of this service, but its character, as she promised that he would be a Nazarite. Her prayer was answered, and she fulfilled her vow by presenting the boy to Jehovah.

1 Samuel 2

We have the record of the song of triumph sung by Hannah, in which she set forth the might and justice of Jehovah. Thus, in the dark and troublous times, Jehovah is seen acting toward deliverance, by answering the prayer of faith as faith operated in the heart of a simple and trusting woman. There is much human passion manifest in her desire, but the fact that she turned to Jehovah is evidence of her trust in Him; and on the basis of that confidence she prepared a way for the future guidance of His people.

The latter part of the chapter gives a vivid picture of two simultaneous movements of degeneration and regeneration in Israel. The condition of the people was waxing worse and worse, but all the while Jehovah is enthroned, and without let or hindrance moving forward in His work of deliverance.

The corruption of the priesthood was appalling. The sons of Eli were securing their own selfish ends in the most terrible fashion. Moreover, they were polluting the very courts of the house of God by the grossest immorality.

Meanwhile, the boy Samuel dwelt in the precincts of the Tabernacle, and in obedience to the instructions of Eli, ministered to the Lord.

It was during this time that a prophetic messenger came to Eli with a word of stern rebuke. While Eli had been loyal to God in his personal life and action, he had not exercised discipline in his own family; and out of a false pity for his sons had tolerated their evil courses. To him, then, were uttered the solemn words, "Them that honour Me I will honour, and they that despise Me shall be lightly esteemed." These words should be pondered in this connection, for they teach us that no human affection must be permitted to intervene between the soul and its absolute loyalty to God.

1 Samuel 3

At this point in the history came a change, startling, and full of meaning in Samuel's life. In the silence of the night a Voice called him by name. Thrice he answered by going to Eli. At last Eli recognized that the Voice was the Voice of God speaking to the lad, and he told Samuel to answer for himself.

This was the beginning of direct divine communication to him. We have already read that he had ministered before the Lord, and yet that he had not known Him directly until now.

This in itself is a beautiful revelation of the true life of a child. Samuel had obeyed Eli in doing all he commanded him within the Tabernacle courts, and thus had rendered service to the Lord. Now the time had come in which, not through mediation, but directly, he must hear and obey.

The first message entrusted to him was a terrible one for him to deliver, and it is interesting to notice how in his action the two elements of fear and courage were manifested. He was afraid to tell Eli, but when Eli charged him to do so, he told the whole message entrusted to him.

There was a further period of training and growth before Samuel was ready to assume the work of leadership. During that period Jehovah vindicated him by permitting no word he spoke to fall to the ground, that is, to fail of fulfilment. Moreover, he became the instrument through whom God appeared to His people, and through whom the word of Jehovah was delivered to them.