The ark was not returned to Shiloh from where it had been taken by the Philistines (4:1; 5:1); it remained at the house of Abinadab for 20 years. During this period of time God was preparing Samuel for his ministry. God was looking for a man of God, a leader who would lead Israel into battle against their foes and effect the reestablishment of the kingdom. In this chapter we see how God used Samuel to bring deliverance to a defeated and discouraged Israel.

OUTLINE OF THE CHAPTER:

I. THE ARK IN THE HOUSE OF ABINADAB. (1,2)

II. REVIVAL GENERATED THROUGH PREACHING. (3,4)

III. A SUMMONS TO A DAY OF NATIONAL PRAYER. (5-9)

IV. "…THE LORD THUNDERED WITH GREAT THUNDER…" (10,11)

V. THE ERECTION OF A MEMORIAL. (12-14)

VI. THE FAITHFULNESS OF SAMUEL.

I. THE ARK IN THE HOUSE OF ABINADAB - (1,2)

The men of Beth-shemesh didn't know what to do with the ark any more than the Philistines did. They sent messenger to Kirjath-jearim to ask them to come and "'fetch" the ark. The ark is brought to the home of Abinadab, Eleazar (God is help) is sanctified to care for the ark while it remains in Kirjath-jearim (Gibeah). The ark actually remains there much longer than twenty years; (2 Sam. 6:3) says the ark was removed from the house of Abinadab by David after the death of Saul (1 Sam. 31:4) and Saul reigned for 40 years (Acts 13:21). The twenty years must then refer to until Samuel "spake" in verse 3. For twenty years the children of Israel were content to leave the ark tended to by one man; the Levitical priesthood was a failure.

 

II. REVIVAL GENERATED THROUGH PREACHING - (3,4)

"Seek ye the Lord while he may be found..." (Isa. 55:6). After journeying through a "dry and thirsty land," through the leadership of Samuel, Israel begins the work of rebuilding a nation. "...It pleased God by the foolishness of preaching..." It was the preaching of Ezra in the time of Nehemiah that brought about one of the greatest revivals in Israel's history (Neh. 8:3). "...For since the days of Jeshua the son of Nun unto that day had not the children of Israel done so." Note the ingredients of revival in (Neh. 9:2,3). Paul says to Titus in chapter (1:3), "...But hath in due times manifested his word through preaching..."

Note the particular steps to this revival:

[1]. "...return unto the Lord with all your heart.
[2]. "...put away strange gods..."
[3]. prepare your hearts..."
[4]. "...serve him only.

There is no prayer until these steps are taken, prayer without sincerity would be hypocrisy. God has no time for such foolishness! Note the words "only" (vs. 3,4); "all Israel" (vs. 5); "wholly" (vs. 9). See (Ezra 7:10).

Ashtoroth is the plural of Ashtareth, the name of the supreme goddess of Canaan and the female counterpart of Baal. The name and the cult of the goddess were derived from Babylonia, where Ishtar represented the evening and morning stars. Other associated names, Astarte, Easter. To the Greeks she was Aphrodite.

III. A SUMMONS TO A DAY OF NATIONAL PRAYER - (5-9)

Samuel calls the children of Israel together for a day of prayer and fasting at Mizpeh; the name means "observatory" or "watchtower." They draw water and pour it out before the Lord. The picture is symbolic. The pouring out of the water shows their willingness to spill their very blood to effect a reconciliation with the Lord. See (2 Sam. 14:14; 23:16; Psa. 22: 14).

A tremendous spiritual truth is put forth at this point, no sooner have the Israelites decided to do right than here comes an attack by the enemy. The Philistines often typify the subtle, and not so subtle, attacks that befall the Christian.

Compare (7:8) "...he will save us..." with (4:3) "...it may save us..." Samuel's convictions and Faith have become contagious. The Israelites looked to Samuel to be their intercessor in prayer. Even the "backslider" knows who can get in touch with God and secure results.

Samuel's offering was given "wholly" unto the Lord, the priests received no part of the offering. See (2:13-16).

 

IV. "...THE LORD THUNDERED WITH A GREAT THUNDER..." - (10,11)

As the Philistines drew near to battle, God attacked them in a violent thunderstorm. When God decides to go to battle (Ex. 15:3) he doesn't need Huey Cobras, B-52's or 155 mm howitzers, the Lord has His very creation at His disposal. In (Ex. 23:28) God promises that He will send hornets before Israel into battle (Josh. 24:12; Deut. 7:20).

In (1 Sam. 14), the Lord sends confusion into the camp of the Philistine garrison. Jonathan says, "...it may be that the Lord will work for us: for there is no restraint to the Lord to save by many or by few."

In (1 Sam. 17), the Lord used a little shepherd boy to defeat the feared champion of the Philistines, Goliath. "...because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men." "But God hath chosen the foolish ... to confound the wise." (1 Cor. 1:25,27)

 

V. THE ERECTION OF A MEMORIAL - (12-14)

To those simple-hearted people a visible memorial would serve as a constant reminder of God's redeeming power. The name Eben-ezer "stone of help," would tell them day after day that the One who had set them free from their enemies desired to continue on being their God.

In (Gen. 28), Jacob "took the stone that he had put for his pillows, and set it up for a pillar ... and called the name of that place Bethel." That stone was constant reminder to Jacob and his descendants of Jacob's vow and his experience there with the Lord.

Joshua in like manner "set up twelve stones in the midst of the Jordan, in the place where the feet of the priests which bare the ark of the covenant stood: and they are there unto this day" (Josh. 4:9). Why is it that men forget so quickly what God has done for them? "...Look unto the rock whence ye are hewn... (Isa. 51:1).

If God is to be with us as He was with the fathers, we must be to God as the fathers were to Him!

 

VI. THE FAITHFULNESS OF SAMUEL

Samuel, like so many of the prophets, had a difficult and humanly speaking, lonely ministry. These were men, who when no one else would be faithful, had to stick by the stuff. Think of Elijah, John the Baptist, Jeremiah, Isaiah, Zechariah and Amos. All were men who did not seek the approval of mankind in their ministries. Oh, that we could raise a generation of young men and women with the character of these faithful saints of God. Samuel "spake" (vs. 3), he preached, Samuel "judged" (vs. 6,15) ..."offered" (vs. 9) ... "cried unto the Lord" (vs. 9) ... and consequently Samuel "built." Samuel's personal ministry had a profound and meaningful effect on the spiritual climate of the nation Israel.