The leadership of Samuel
(1) v.1-4 Samuel leading by challenging"If you are really...with all your hearts..." v.3.
It seemed like the people of Israel longed for the LORD because the ark stayed at Kiriath Jearim for a long time. However, Samuel challenged that longing for the ark was only superficial.
Samuel challenged them to "remove from among you the foreign gods and the images of Ashtoreth. Give your hearts to the LORD and serve only him v.3"
(NET) The Semitic goddess Astarte was associated with love and war in the ancient Near East. The presence of Ashtarot in Israel is a sign of pervasive pagan and idolatrous influences; hence Samuel calls for their removal. See 1 Sam 31:10, where the Philistines deposit the armor of the deceased Saul in the temple of the Ashtarot, and 1 Kgs 11:5, 33; 2 Kgs 23:13, where Solomon is faulted for worshiping the Ashtarot.
In order words, Samuel asked them to change their allegiance from Ashtoreth to Yahweh. The problem of Israelites were they served both idols and God. Scripture mentioned twice the phrase, "to serve only the LORD," v.3b and 4b.
Reflections: How do we show our allegiance to Christ? What shall we remove from our hearts and give our whole hearts to God? To serve Him only
(2) v.5-9 Samuel leading by praying
After Samuel prayed the people also fasted, and confessed their sins. Interestingly, after recording those incidents the Scriptures said in v.6b, "So Samuel led the people of Israel at Mizpah." Praying is certainly part of the leading.
Reflections: How often do you pray for people that you are supposed to lead? Your family? Your work? Your Sunday school children?
Why did they pour water before the LORD v.6?
(NAC) When Israel “drew water and poured it out before the LORD” (v. 6), an action unparalleled in the Old Testament in an Israelite religious convocation, they evidently were denying themselves liquids as a symbolic confession that the Lord’s favor was more important to them than life-sustaining water (cf. Jonah 3:7; 2 Sam 23:16).
2024
Bright spots
In v.2 it seems to be a hint that people longed for the LORD, but only after a long time. It begged the question of, "why took them so long?" Even when they longed for God at the end of the 20 years, Samuel challenged them that, "if you are REALLY turning to the LORD... remove.. the gods and images.... Give your hearts...and serve only Him."
They met the challenged and did what Samuel said. There was a promise in v.3b, "Then he will deliver you from the hand of the Philistines.”
The P really came when they heard Israelites had gathered together v.7. When Israelites cried out to God. God answered them v.9 as He promised.
red
Before they prayed and confessed their sins, "they drew water and poured it out before the LORD. They fasted on that day, and they confessed there v.6" What did that mean?
reflection
It seems like a perfect circle when the Israelites turned to God and God answered them. But, why did Samuel did after the people removed the idols and they served God only v.4. He led them in prayer. For what? Even when they longed for the goodness of God, they still worshipped idols. They could not trust God is enough for them. Samuel reminded them that they needed to pray for this attitude. At the end, people confessed their sins even when Samuel did not say anything about that. What can I learn from Samuel in leading others?
v.10-17
Bright
A. The help of the LORD
1. The LORD caused your enemies to be in panic v.10 or they were defeated obviously by God's help.
2. We should remembered that in a special way v.12
3. The land of Israel was kept under Israel v.14. In general, the promise of God is kept.
4. Peace is enjoyed by the POG. v.14
B. Samuel led Israel by judging, offering sacrifice, and telling people about the will of God v.15-17
Reflection
When Israel turned back to God, He helped them in a very obvious wall. Their enemy was defected and even their land was captured. Peace was enjoyed. Although God probably knew that it was just a temporary return of Israel. They went on to worship the same idols until Josiah was king in 2 Ch 34.
God's love to us is generous. I should care less if people used me or undeserving for me to help them.
Audrey
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