Leader: Samuel the Seer, Elkanah, the son of Jeroham, the son
of Elihu, the son of Tohu, the son of Zuph, an Ephrathite.
Tribe: Levi
Occupation: Judge of Israel, Seer (prophet) of the Most
High
Introductory Scripture: 1
Samuel 1:20 “Wherefore it came to pass, when the time was come about after
Hannah had conceived, that she bare a son, and called his name Samuel, saying,
because I have asked him of the LORD.”
Childhood: A leader from birth Samuel was born to Elkanah and his wife Hannah. He was a
righteous leader, a Nazirite from birth in which he grew long hair, did not drink wine
nor any strong drink nor ate moist grapes or dried. No razor came upon his head,
he was a holy man according to the Law of the Most High.
He was dedicated to the Most High due to the vow of his mother Hannah. Once barren and
desperately wanting a male child with her husband she made this vow declaring if
HE
would take away the lonesomeness she felt because of the sore provoking
of her rival Peninnah (Elkanah’s other wife) who had children; she would give
his life to be a man of the God of Israel. Hannah’s fervent
prayer to the Father for a son was so heart felt, she rehearsed it with her
lips but made not a sound. Upon ending the prayer she was seen by the Priest
Eli who assumed she was drunk asking “How long wilt thou be drunken?” “Put away
thy wine from thee!” She replied “No, my lord, I am a woman of a sorrowful
spirit: I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but have poured out my soul
before the LORD, Count not thine handmaid for a daughter of belial, for
out of the abundance of my complaint and grief have I spoken hitherto.”
So Eli blessed her and confirmed her vow. Hannah
named their son Samuel to be styled "asked of God.” His parents kept their word
by dedicating him to the Lord after he was weaned, and the
child Samuel grew on, and was in favour both with the LORD, and also with men. Samuel was a young child when he began to
prophesy, and his first prophetic message was to the Leader of the Nation of
Israel……ELI! The Most High charged him to deliver a message to the High Priest; a
message so profound that both the ears of every one that heareth it shall tingle! Eli’s entire household would be cut off and the priesthood was
transferred unto the family of Eleazar his near kinsman, but the glory of Samuel
increased more and more because the Most High; giving him the opportunity
by experience caused his prophesies to come to pass.
Adulthood: Samuel was a man that practiced righteousness in his days of leadership. Like,
a true prophet of the Most High he never required or
accepted wages, bribes or rewards from his people. During Israel’s feud with
the Philistines they took the ark of YHWH, but not before long returning
it because the hand of the Lord was sore upon them. When Israel
lamented for the Lord it was Samuel our general encouraging Israel in the
strength of the Father. He also gave Godly discourse to "Put away the strange gods and
serve the Most High only then would HE be faithful to deliver you
out of the hand of the Philistines.”
Israel did so and gather with Samuel to Mizpeh where the Most
High disheartened the Philistines with a peculiar noise. Samuel took a stone
and set it between the two cities and called the place Ebenezer stating “Here
is the place where Elohim has helped us."
Samuel judged Israel all the days of his life
and was the last of the ruling judges. Though extremely displeased at the
request of Israel wanting a King, Samuel inquired of the Lord about this matter and when instructed gave with due warning from the Lord of the things that would come to pass anointed Saul son of Kish to be the first king of
Israel. ....
Israel’s desire for a king can somewhat be attributed
to Samuel’s arbitrary decision to make his sons judges over the people. Joel
and Abiah walked not in Samuels’ ways but were lead astray by the very thing
their father detested. Even though Samuel love Saul like his own son he also failed the task of following the commands of
the Almighty!
Death: Samuel’s death was a great time of mourning and
lamenting in the nation of Israel. He fulfilled all his days as a Nazarite in obedience to the Creator. He was buried in his house
in Ramah a city in Ephraim.
Want to Know More about Samuel the Seer?
Read about his prophetic message to Saul after his death?
1 Samuel 28
