“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.
