Character Studies - ElectronicGospel

Character Study of Samuela character study by Jeff S. SmithIntroductionThe life of Samuel is stunningly complete; rarely has a life been lived with so much adventure andprominence from beginning to end. That is so because Samuel was so integral to God’s plans for so manyyears and he made himself relevant throughout that time by being faithful even as all around him werestumbling along and falling backward.DiscussionI. His CharacterA. Youth1. Hannah and her husband, Elkanah, lived during the Judges period of Israel’s history, atransitional period separating the leadership of Moses and Joshua from the royal period of kings andkingdoms (Judges 21:25)2. Eli was the judge during this time and his life was about to intersect with that of Hannah (FirstSamuel 1:1-3)a. this very religious man heeded the custom of the day, especially when one’s first wifeturned out to be barren; he took a second mate who bore him childrenb. this caused a rivalry among the women because Elkanah clearly loved Hannah more, butPeninnah could hold his offspring over her headc. Hannah desperately wanted to be a mother (First Samuel 1:8-11, 19-20)3. because she had promised to dedicate her son to the Lord, eventually she had to deliver him tothe house of the Lord, which was at Shiloh at that time (First Samuel 1:25-28, 2:11)4. Samuel did not find himself in the most pious company, for Eli’s sons, the priests Hophni andPhinehas “did not know the Lord” and took advantage of their offices and caused great resentment amongthe worshipers who visited them (First Samuel 2:17, 22-26)a. as Samuel matured, it became clear that neither of Eli’s sons would be fit to succeed him asa judge and so the Lord called someone else (First Samuel 3:1-5)b. God called Samuel again and again and finally Eli figured out that God was calling him(First Samuel 3:11-14)c. Eli compelled Samuel to tell him the vision that would break his heart (First Samuel 3:19)B. Judging Israel1. Eli lived to the age of 98 when tragedy struck his household and ended his life–Israel wasdefeated by the Philistines, lost control to them of the ark of the covenant and his two sons were fatallywounded (First Samuel 4:18)2. Samuel began to make his name as a judge at Mizpah (First Samuel 7:3-12)3. he was a sort of circuit judge (First Samuel 7:15-17)4. the same kind of issue that felled Eli, however, visited the house of Samuel (First Samuel8:1-9, 12:1-5)C. Royal Adviser1. Samuel anointed Saul of the tribe of Benjamin as Israel’s first king, ending the Judges era witha thud, and solidifying its decline into depravity2. Samuel would spend his old, not in pleasant retirement, but in constant sparring with Saul overhis presumptuousness and abuse of power (First Samuel 15:10-14)3. Samuel was very disappointed in what Saul became (First Samuel 15:32-35)D. Death and Beyond1. Samuel died an old man and “all Israel assembled and mourned for him, and they buried him inhis house at Ramah” (First Samuel 25:1)2. but Samuel got a rare chance to speak again later when Saul needed more advice (First Samuel28:3-20)3. Samuel finds his way into the Hebrews 11 memorial to great faith (Hebrews 11:32-34)205