“And it came to pass, when Samuel was old, that he made his sons judges over Israel,” 1 Samuel 8:1.
We have considered how in the chapters 7 and 8 of 1st Samuel we are introduced to a dark time in Israel’s history. Yes, it was during the time of a most godly prophet, Samuel, but darkness nevertheless invaded the land and prevailed for it was a day of disorder in God’s house!
But though there was a wonderful and merciful intervention by the Lord, Israel soon drifted away again for such a time of victory soon decays because of the backsliding amongst God’s people. Even the great prophet Samuel has sanctioned evil amongst his own sons as our text states.
Having considered these points, I come now to that foreshadowed in these chapters.
I. THIS PORTION OF GOD’S WORD HAS A PROPHETIC APPLICATION.
It must be remembered that these events were all taking place as a prelude to the coming to the throne of Israel, God’s king — David!
David anointed by Samuel, Raphael, 1515
I recall the happy day when I was a student in conversation with the one who would soon be my brother in law, John Douglas, when he pointed out to me how that David’s revelation as the champion of Israel and the slayer of Goliath, took place at his SECOND visit to the camp of Israel!
I learned that day how such prophetic ‘gems’ are sometimes concealed and hidden from our first glance at a passage!
There is a ‘quiet’ mention of David’s first visit to the camp of Israel in 1Samuel 17:15.
“But David went and returned from Saul to feed his father’s sheep at Bethlehem.”
“Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.Abstain from all appearance(hold one’s self off from, refrain from) of evil.And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; andI pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ,” 1 Thessalonians 5:21-23.
“And it came to pass, when Samuel was old, that he made his sons judges over Israel,” 1 Samuel 8:1.
Chapter 8 of 1st Samuel was the reading for today (16.8.25). As is ever the case with Holy Scripture, the occurrences of the past, as recorded by divine inspiration, contain a foreshadowing of future events.
That is implied in Paul’s words in Romans 15. “For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope,” verse 5.
The past actions of sinful men are but a pattern for the future actions of sinful men. Sin is ever the breaking of the Law of God!
“Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law,” 1 John 3:4.
God’s Law is unchanging and unchangeable. Therefore man’s transgressing of God’s Law is ever the same in essence. “The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun,” Ecclesiastes 1:9.
This is what makes the Bible ever relevant! Man’s cures become outdated and ineffective. The ‘vaccines’ produced to deal with the recent Covid virus are not as effective against the new strains of that virus. BUT the Bible, and the gospel message it sets forth, is ever effective, no matter how man thinks he has outgrown his need of salvation by the blood of Christ crucified.
In this chapter 8 of 1st Samuel we are introduced to a dark time in Israel’s history. Yes, it was during the time of a most godly prophet, Samuel, but darkness nevertheless invaded the land and prevailed.
I. IT WAS A DAY OF DISORDER IN GOD’S HOUSE!
“And the men of Kirjathjearim came, and fetched up the ark of the LORD, and brought it into the house of Abinadab in the hill, and sanctified Eleazar his son to keep the ark of the LORD. And it came to pass, while the ark abode in Kirjathjearim, that the time was long; for it was twenty years: and all the house of Israel lamented after the LORD,” 1 Samuel 7:1-2.
The ‘Ark of God’ whereon was the mercy seat, was the means by which prayer was offered to the Lord and it being out of the inner sanctuary, the holy place within the vail, in the Tabernacle, it could not have been approached by the high priest annually and the blood of the sacrificial lamb sprinkled upon it, and thus communion with the Lord maintained.
1. This breach in Israel’s relationship with the Lord was ‘long’ and resulted in Israel ‘lamenting’ after the Lord! A spirit of mourning prevailed amongst the devout Israelites. They desired to see a reinstatement of things as God had ordained. A people living under such spiritual conditions are not a happy, rejoicing, victorious people!
2. The answer to their sorrow was set forth by Samuel. “And Samuel spake unto all the house of Israel, saying, If ye do return unto the LORD with all your hearts, then put away the strange gods and Ashtaroth from among you, and prepare your hearts unto the LORD, and serve him only: and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines,” 1 Samuel 7:3.
That is the purpose and calling that God’s prophets should have! They should show the way by which a right relationship with God is to be restored and maintained.
Woe unto any people who have not such instruction but rather have ‘careless’ shepherds, who make no efforts to promote repentance and return amongst the straying sheep!
3.There was an evil response to the people acknowledging their sin. “And they gathered together to Mizpeh, 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 children of Israel in Mizpeh,” verse 6.
That spirit of repentance was noted by the enemy and, as is ever the case, they instantly moved to attack resurgent godliness!
The sacrifice of Samuel at Mizpeh and the flight of the Philistines, Gérard Jollain, 1650, engraving, France
“And when the Philistines heard that the children of Israel were gathered together to Mizpeh, the lords of the Philistines went up against Israel. And when the children of Israel heard it, they were afraid of the Philistines. And the children of Israel said to Samuel, Cease not to cry unto the LORD our God for us, that he will save us out of the hand of the Philistines. And Samuel took a sucking lamb, and offered it for a burnt offering wholly unto the LORD: and Samuel cried unto the LORD for Israel; and the LORD heard him. And as Samuel was offering up the burnt offering, the Philistines drew near to battle against Israel: but the LORD thundered with a great thunder on that day upon the Philistines, and discomfited them; and they were smitten before Israel,” 1 Samuel 7:7-10. (more…)
