Friday, February 1, 2013

Samuel Becomes Judge

I Samuel 7:1-17

“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.” (I Samuel 7:1-2) 

After the death of over fifty thousand men at Bethshemesh, Nobody else wanted to take chances of moving the ark around, so it remained at Kirjathjearim for twenty years, before being returned to the tabernacle.   For twenty years after the Philistines returned the Ark, while Samuel was establishing himself as judge, Israel didn’t really worship the Lord, continuing the way they had under Eli.  During the entire time they were oppressed by the Philistines.

“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. 

Then the children of Israel did put away Baalim and Ashtaroth, and served the LORD only. 

And Samuel said, Gather all Israel to Mizpeh, and I will pray for you unto the LORD. 

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.” (I Samuel 7:3-7) 

About sixty years after Samson’s death, when Samuel was in his late twenties or early thirties, he was finally recognized as judge.  He announced that if Israel would put away their false gods and turn wholly to the Lord, God would free them.  Israel repented of their sin and turned to God in a great revival, with Samuel judging them in Mizpeh.

“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.” (I Samuel 7:7-8) 

Hearing about the revival in Mizpeh, the Philistines attacked, terrifying the Israelites.  They begged Samuel not to stop praying for God to save them.

“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. 

And the men of Israel went out of Mizpeh, and pursued the Philistines, and smote them, until they came under Bethcar.” (I Samuel 7:9-11)

The Philistines attacked just as Samuel was offering the burnt offering, and God intervened, sending a great thunderstorm and totally disrupting their attack.  Israel was able to defeat them, pursuing them to well inside the Philistine boundary.

“Then Samuel took a stone, and set it between Mizpeh and Shen, and called the name of it Ebenezer, saying, Hitherto hath the LORD helped us.” (I Samuel 7:12)

At the place where the main battle occurred, Samuel erected a great stone for a monument, calling it Ebenezer to as a memorial to remind them how God had helped them.

“So the Philistines were subdued, and they came no more into the coast of Israel: and the hand of the LORD was against the Philistines all the days of Samuel.  And the cities which the Philistines had taken from Israel were restored to Israel, from Ekron even unto Gath; and the coasts thereof did Israel deliver out of the hands of the Philistines. And there was peace between Israel and the Amorites.” (I Samuel 7:13-14)

During  Samuel’s judgeship the Philistines were never able to make serious inroads, and much of the land they had taken from Israel was re-taken including the city states of Gath and Ekron.  The Amorites remained quiescent during the period as well.

“And Samuel judged Israel all the days of his life.  And he went from year to year in circuit to Bethel, and Gilgal, and Mizpeh, and judged Israel in all those places.  And his return was to Ramah; for there was his house; and there he judged Israel; and there he built an altar unto the LORD.” (I Samuel 7:15-17)

Samuel made Ramah his home, building an altar there, and making it the primary worship place.  He also established a regular circuit of places where he held court and taught God’s law, meeting at Bethel, Mizpeh, and Gilgal.  He Judged  Israel from the time he was about thirty until his death near the middle of Saul’s reign.

3 comments:

  1. God is always faithful to honor our service to Him once we put aside false gods and serve Him alone. Having our own Ebenezer -- our remembrance of how God has faithfully helped us -- will strengthen our faith and bring us joy and peace even in trials. Thanks as always for the clear & thoughtful post.
    God bless,
    Laurie

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  2. A classic example of something my mother loves to say. Human logic would have it that God would save them and they would obey. God is reverse. If we actually want the fullness of the Lord's blessing we can't ride the fence; nor can serve two masters. Good post.

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    Replies
    1. Thanks, Ian.

      Unfortunately, once we have what we want, we have little incentive to do what God asks. God wants a commitment to obey from us. He's already committed to us.

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