Samuel 8-11 Series

Never seen before in 2024!

We have learned in the last few weeks that we could say never heard before in 2024 – which is about hearing the voice of God in a day when few hear it or even listen to it! Our time is no different than in Samuels young years and in his later years.

Thesis: Samuel tuned in to God at age 12! When everyone else tuned Him out because in those days everyone was doing was right in their own eyes! Samuel rises as a good godly leader in tune to God’s voice – he became known as a Seer of things! Being a seer is another word for prophet – a person who sees things others cannot see or even understand - Samuel moved in this gift.

We need to make sure our heart and mind are tuned in to God. Samuel tuned into God at a young age while Eli and his sons tuned God! Sadly, most of the nation of Israel had tuned God out and tuned into idol worship. But Samuel re-emphasized listening to God – knowing of God – and created the School of the Prophets!

Samuel who tuned into God at a young age teaches us what could happen if in our lives we tune into God’s Word and voice. When we listen to God’s voice, we set ourselves up to be blessed but when we disobey God’s voice and Word we set ourselves up for failure and pain and suffering.

Today we will explore The History of Israel again and learn how this nation went from a Theocracy to a Monarchy and how Samuel was in the middle of it all as a leader for the Nation of Israel.

The characters who have surfaced to the top so far are: Samuel – Eli – his sons – Samuels sons – and today we will be introduced to Saul’s Israel’s first king – ever – their stories teach us the following:”

1. Listening to God = Blessing

2. Ignoring God = Deception

3. Rebellion against God = Judgment accompanied by pain and suffering

Samuel lived an honorable life as a leader being a Judge-priest and prophet of God – He is known for the following:

His miraculous birth.

His dedication to the Temple and to God at a young age by his mother Hannah. Eli recognizes God’s call on Samuel.

His hearing the voice of God at 12 years old when his mentor did not.

His speaking the Word of the Lord to Eli at 12 declaring the judgment of God on Eli’s family and losing their designated role in the tabernacle.

He was the last judge of Israel.

He was the first prophet of Israel.

He replaced Eli as priest and the representative of God in the tabernacle.

He is known for starting the school of the prophets in his time.

He called Israel to forsake sin and return to God and they heeded his call to repent. He therefore led Israel in national repentance.

He led in battle against the Philistines and won.

He was a historian of Israel’s history.

He anointed the first two kings of Israel.

Samuel lived an exemplary life for God and for Israel!

Scripture Text Section today: 1 Samuel 8 -12:

I Samuel 8 – The nation of Israel wants a King to lead them but not God!

8 When Samuel grew old, he appointed his sons as Israel’s leaders. 2 The name of his firstborn was Joel and the name of his second was Abijah, and they served at Beersheba. 3 But his sons did not follow his ways. They turned aside after dishonest gain and accepted bribes and perverted justice. 4 So all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah. 5 They said to him, “You are old, and your sons do not follow your ways; now appoint a king to lead us, such as all the other nations have.” 6 But when they said, “Give us a king to lead us,” this displeased Samuel; so he prayed to the Lord. 7 And the Lord told him: “Listen to all that the people are saying to you; it is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected me as their king. 8 As they have done from the day I brought them up out of Egypt until this day, forsaking me and serving other gods, so they are doing to you.

Observation #1

1. Samuel had a problem with His sons: He had a leadership problem!

a. Samuel’s sons are corrupt just like Eli’s sons were – so the line of Samuel is tainted leadership is distorted and judged as being the wrong kind of leadership – Sadly Samuel’s sons were dishonest – they took bribes - distorted justice for personal gain. Truth is it was the same scenario as Eli’s sons except for no mention of sexual immorality – please hear this dishonesty, doing things for personal gain and allowing injustice will cause a leadership crisis.