-April 19, 2024-
Good morning beloved, happy Friday,
“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.’”
(1 Samuel 7:3).
From his earliest years, at about two years old, his mother Hannah took him to Eli the priest, and left him there in the tabernacle to serve the Lord all his life. He served the Lord faithfully all through the years of his life.
Samuel was the last of judges. He was a godly man and servant of the Lord. He was the only one who was a prophet, priest, and a judge. He travelled throughout all Israel, offering sacrifices, teaching the people, and giving godly counsel.
He was saddened when Israel demanded a king like all the other nations. Still, he obeyed God and anointed Saul to be their first king. Because of Saul’s disobedience, God rejected him being king. God then led Samuel to anoint David. David had to wait quite a few years before Saul was killed in battle. Even then David was anointed over Judah first, then over all Israel later.
Samuel died before David became king. 1 Samuel 25:1 says, “Then Samuel died; and the Israelites gathered together and lamented for him, and buried him at his home in Ramah. And David arose and went down to the Wilderness of Paran.” Reading between the lines it would seem David attended his funeral, but there is no mention of Saul being there.
We can’t over estimate Samuel’s tremendous impact on the nation of Israel. He listened to God and spoke for God. He served until the end of his life. Saul respected Samuel but he didn’t like him or especially what he said and did. I am sure he heard that Samuel anointed David to be his successor.
But what of us? What impact are we having in our homes, churches, communities, schools, and workplaces? Let us determine to be a blessing for Christ.
Have a blessed day impacting others. Stay safe and healthy.
Make a pact to be an impact.
Dean
Dean Allen's Daily Devotional 