1 Samuel 7:2 "... and all the house of Israel lamented after the LORD."

Ellicott comment: "This lamentation or 'hungering after the Lord' was a gradual result of Samuel's unwearied labors. The assertion of 3:19 that "none of his words fell to the ground" especially belongs to this period of restless activity."

1 Samuel 7:3 "Then Samuel spoke to all the house of Israel, saying, "If you return to the Lord with all your hearts, then put away the foreign gods and the Ashtoreths from among you, and prepare your hearts for the Lord, and serve Him only; and He will deliver you from the hand of the Philistines.""

To be used, dethrone the idols of money, success, pride. Enthrone the Lord - determine to obey only Him - commit yourself to His service and glory.

1 Samuel 7:5 "And Samuel said, Gather all Israel to Mizpeh, and I will pray for you unto the LORD."

Samuel was a praying prophet. Prophetic intercession that brought about contrite calling on God by the people. It was not military might that brought Israel deliverance.

1 Samuel 7:10 "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."

There is no doubt this was no ordinary thunderstorm. The Word says "the LORD." It was a personal, divine action putting victory in the hands of His people. The Lord guarantees His presence of power with us as with the first Apostles who went out.

Mark 16:20 "And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen."

1 Samuel 7:12 "Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen, and called its name Ebenezer, saying, "Thus far the Lord has helped us.""

Remembering past help and victories strengthens our faith for what faces us now, and that ahead.

	Remember His deliverances.
	Remember His preservation.
	Remember His answers to prayer.
	Remember His miracles.
	Remember His faithfulness.
	Remember His lovingkindness.
	Remember His provision.

Set up your Ebenezer.

1 Samuel 7:15-17 "And Samuel judged Israel all the days of his life. ¹⁶ And he went from year to year in circuit to Bethel, and Gilgal, and Mizpeh, and judged Israel in all those places. ¹⁷ 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."

Samuel served as a 'circuit' judge. Interestingly, later we read of "schools of the prophets" in the same name places, leading to the suggestion that Samuel was the founder of them at this time. As a priest he ministered to the Lord for the people. "Built an altar," a deviation from Deuteronomy 12:13, probably because of the public disorder of the period. His devotion to prayer and sacrifice evidenced his true priesthood before God. Service and worship should mark our lives as it did his. Political leadership that has prayer as its foundation will enrich and exalt a nation.

Ellicott says: "We are not able with any precision to fix the date of Samuel's life. When the Israelite victory at Ebenezer took place, Samuel the judge was probably nearly fifty years of age. Another considerable lapse of time must be assumed between the throwing off the Philistine yoke, and the request of the people for an earthly king. Seventy years of age is a likely supposition."

What an incredible performance of faithful service, of total abandonment to God. He survived the teenage - manhood - middle-age and old age crises. At every phase of human experience God can be served faithfully and receive the Lord's "Well done." (Matthew 25:21 ).

It would seem that when Samuel was feeling his age that he trusted his sons with some of his duties. Of this trust they proved unworthy. Could it be that Samuel's busy life and frequent times away from home contributed to his sons' character failure - their names were indicative of their father's spirituality, certainly not theirs. Joel signifies 'Jehovah is God': and Abijah 'Jehovah is father'. They soon forgot their father's standards.

The New Bible Commentary Revised says: "the frequent unsuitability of human succession is a recurring theme of the Old Testament historical books, from Gideon to the descendants of David."

1 Samuel 8:6 "But the thing displeased Samuel, when they said, Give us a king to judge us. And Samuel prayed unto the LORD."

Samuel's life and ministry had been directed towards the full restoration of the theocracy - monarchy was in conflict with his constant burden. The main reasons for Israel's demand was the corruption of Samuel's sons, a desire to be like the surrounding nations, and their need of a military leader. (1 Samuel 8:5 ). Their real failure was described by God as rejecting Him to reign over them (1 Samuel 8:7-9 ). Samuel warns them of the price of the monarchy - that it would mean conscription, taxation, and serfdom (1 Samuel 8:1-18 ). Samuel's warning went unheeded (1 Samuel 8:19-20 ). All that the people said, Samuel repeated to the Lord who said,

1 Samuel 8:21,22 "And Samuel heard all the words of the people, and he rehearsed them in the ears of the LORD. ²² And the LORD said to Samuel, Hearken unto their voice, and make them a king. ..."

Samuel's response teaches us to be sensitive to God's will, whether it be directive or permissive.

---

QUESTIONS FOR GROUP INTERACTION

1. What time lapse was there before Israel mourned and sought the Lord? (1 Samuel 7:1-2 ). Do you believe this was the result of Samuel faithfully giving the prophetic word (1 Samuel 3:19 ). Does the Lord work through His Word in nations and cities today?
2. Is there a need to urge the Lord's people now, to enthrone the Lord in their lives and among themselves? (1 Samuel 7:3 ).
3. Do you find that many aspire to be prophesying prophets giving the mind of the Lord, but few are actively engaged in prophetic intercession for the Lord's people? (1 Samuel 7:5 ).
4. Will the enemy of God's people be active when they experience revival? (1 Samuel 7:7 ).
5. Would you expect miraculous co-operation from God in response to prophetic prayer? (1 Samuel 7:10 ).
6. Do you remind yourself of past divine help and victories, to strengthen your faith (1 Samuel 7:12 ). Can you tell of a personal Ebenezer?
7. Would political leadership with its foundation in prayer, enrich and exalt our nation? (1 Samuel 7:15-17 ).
8. Can Samuel be considered as an example of faithfulness to God in childhood, manhood and old age? (1 Samuel 8:1 ).
9. In which way did Eli's history repeat itself in Samuel's family? (1 Samuel 8:1-3 ). Are there lessons to be drawn from this?
10. In requesting a king, who was Israel really rejecting? (1 Samuel 8:6-7 ).
11. Do you there is a price to pay for the granting of willful requests (1 Samuel 8:9-18 ).
12. When we insist on our own way in spite of God's warning, will God permit it? (1 Samuel 8:19-22 ).