The kingmaker.
Authorship
History
Dedicated to the temple before conception
The LORD closed Hannah's womb until she prayed to give her child to the temple, which she did after he was weaned. He received annual visits from her, always receiving a little linen ephod she made. (1 Samuel 1:, 2:1-10,18-21)
The people agreed to turn to God, so he had all of Israel gather at Mizpah. He prayed and sacrificed for Israel as the Philistines opportunistically closed in on Mizpah. The people were afraid and told Samuel to not cease crying out to the LORD for them, that he may save them from the Philistines. The LORD thundered with a mighty sound, throwing the Philistines into confusion as Samuel offered a nursing lamb. The Philistines were defeated, chased as far as Beth-car. Then Samuel erected a stone named Ebenezer between Mizpah and Shen, for "Till now the LORD has helped us." There was peace with Philistia. (1 Samuel 7:3-12)
Samuel judged in a circuit between Bethel, Gilgal, Mizpah, and Ramah. (1 Samuel 7:15-17)
When he was old, he appointed his sons Abijah and Joel as judges at Beersheba, but they are ungodly and took bribes. The elders wanted a king to judge them instead, so the LORD had him warn them what a king would take from them. He ultimately gave into their demands. (1 Samuel 8)
The LORD told him to anoint the Benjaminite He sends the next day. On his way to sacrifice day at the high place in the land of Zuph, Saul came up and asked where the seer lives. He told Saul all that is desirable in Israel is his and set him at the head of the hall with the leg that had been reserved. (1 Samuel 9:11-27)
Samuel anointed Saul then told him to meet him at Gilgal to offer burnt offerings and peace offerings. Then he called the people to Mizpah to announce the new king. After lots failed, the LORD said he was in the baggage. Samuel defined the rights and duties of the kingship and sent Saul home. (1 Samuel 10)
Saul performs Samuel's sacrifice for him
In a battle with the Philistines at Gilgal, Samuel told Saul he would come in seven days, but didn't come until the day after. Saul performed the bunt offering and peace offerings himself, and Samuel arrived as he finished. Samuel scolded Saul, saying the kingdom would go to a man after His own heart because he did not keep the LORD's command. Then he arose and went up from Gilgal. (1 Samuel 13:8-15)
Samuel grieves Saul's disobedience in neglecting to kill the Amalekites
The LORD sent Samuel to tell Saul to kill all of Amalek for opposing Israel when they came out of Egypt. After he sent Saul out to battle, the LORD told Samuel he regrets making Saul king for he has disobeyed the command. Samuel was angry and cried to the LORD all night. He rose early and found Saul in Gilgal. Saul said he performed his duty, but Samuel disagreed. He told him the LORD delights in obedience, not sacrifices. Samuel refused to return to worship with Saul. As he turned to leave, Saul tore part of Samuel's cloak, and Samuel told him the LORD has torn his kingdom from him. He asked for Agag who came cheerfully and hacked him into pieces before the LORD. Then he parted, returning to Ramah, and never saw Saul again until the day of his death. But Samuel grieved over Saul. (1 Samuel 15)
Samuel anoints the second king
While he was grieving Saul, the LORD sent him to offer a sacrifice with Jesse the Bethlehemite because the next king was among his sons. He could not reveal his purpose due to the danger of Saul. Jesse showed seven sons to him, but the LORD rejected all. David was brought in from his sheep and anointed on the spot. Then Samuel went to Ramah. (1 Samuel 16:1-13)
Samuel shelters refugee David, and all, even Saul, prophesy
David came to him in Ramah, telling him that Saul was trying to murder him, so they both went to live in Naioth. Saul's messengers came and saw the company of the prophets prophesying with Samuel standing as head over them, and the Spirit of God came upon them, and they also prophesied. Two other groups did the same. So Saul himself came, prophesying, and he, too, stripped off his clothes, and he, too, prophesied before Samuel and lay naked all that day and all that night. (1 Samuel 19:18-24)
Samuel died. All Israel assembled and mourned for him, and they buried him in his house at Ramah. (1 Samuel 25:1, 1 Samuel 28:3)
The Medium of En-dor raises Samuel
The Philistines gathered their forces for war against Israel. The Philistines encamped at Shunem, while Saul gathered all Israel at Gilboa. Saul's heart trembled greatly at the Philistines, but when he inquired of the LORD, He did not answer, by dreams, Urim, or by prophets. Saul asked his servants for a medium, despite having put the mediums and necromancers out of the land, and they recommended the mediums at En-dor.
Saul requested for her to bring up Samuel. When she saw Samuel, she screamed, but Saul had her describe him. "I see a god coming up out of the earth." ... "An old man is coming up, and he is wrapped in a robe." Saul recognized the description then bowed and paid homage to Samuel.
Samuel asked why he was disturbed, and Saul told him about the Philistines and silence from God and that he needed to talk to him. Samuel told him he did not obey the voice of the LORD against Amalek, so He has become his enemy and taken his kingdom away. The LORD will give Israel into the hand of the Philistines, he and his sons shall be with him, and the LORD will give the army of Israel into the hand of the Philistines.
(1 Samuel 28)
List
- Syrian Archbishop Athanasius Samuel
- Prophet Samuel