Lineaments of leadership were apparent in Samuel from his earliest years. During the period between settlement in the land and the establishment of the monarchy, Israel looked to judges for leadership – judges raised up by God to save the nation from their enemies, to offer spiritual guidance, and to dispense justice according to God’s commandments, Judg. 2. 16-18. Samuel was last in line of these notable characters and it was he who saw through the taxing period of transition that led to the crowning of Saul as first king, and the subsequent selection and anointing of David.
With the people in disarray after defeat by the Philistines and their seizure of the ark of the covenant, it was Samuel who rallied the nation with the call to reject ‘strange gods’ and to return to the service of their true God, 1 Sam. 7. 3. It was Samuel who called to the congregation of the people at Mizpeh with the inducement of his offer to make intercessory prayer on their behalf. Their open confession of sin directly resulted from this, and led on to Samuel’s judging the children of Israel that day in Mizpeh, 1 Sam. 7. 5-6, 8. It was his approach to God in prayer and sacrifice on Israel’s behalf that brought about God’s intervention against the advancing Philistines so that victory was gained.
It is after this saga of events, vividly recorded in Scripture, that we read that ‘Samuel judged Israel all the days of his life’. The inspirational qualities Samuel had demonstrated were recognized by the nation so that they willingly followed his leadership and accepted his jurisdiction. In the discharge of his duties he maintained a regularity of performance in his movements that was noteworthy. Living in Ramah (‘heights’) he would journey annually to Bethel (‘house of God’) and from there to Gilgal (‘rolling away’ of Egypt’s reproach, the deeds of the flesh mortified) proceeding to Mizpeh (‘watch-tower’). The leader raised up by God must needs follow a similar pattern of life. Living in the enjoyment of heavenly blessings, he will be active in association with the local church, pursue a pathway of separation and practical holiness, and maintain constant vigilance as he waits for his Lord’s return.
