“Here Am I.” (1 Samuel 3:4) “Speak; for thy servant hears.” (1 Samuel 3:9)
Here Am I
We are born and those first sounds that come from our innermost being are baby cries of discomfort. Or is it discomfort?
Is it because we, as babes, unknowingly cry for the sanctity and safety of our Lord? After all we were designed in heaven and lived in heaven until the Lord decided which family He would place us with for our journey on earth.
We have three stages of life:
- From Birth to Youth
- To Mid life
- Then to Old Age
Samuel had a very close walk with the Lord in relationship, in integrity, and in truth. It was his life, his ministry:
From Birth to Youth
- Wherefore it came to pass, when the time was come about after Hannah had conceived, that she bare a son, and called his name Samuel, saying, Because I have asked him of the LORD. (1 Samuel 1:20)
- Samuel ministered before the LORD, being a child, girded with a linen ephod. (1 Samuel 2:18)
- And the child Samuel grew before the LORD. (1 Samuel 2:21)
- And the child Samuel grew on, and was in favor both with the LORD, and also with men. (1 Samuel 2:26)
- And the child Samuel ministered unto the LORD before Eli. And the word of the LORD was precious in those days; there was no open vision. (1 Samuel 3:1)
- And ere the lamp of God went out in the temple of the LORD, where the ark of God was, and Samuel was laid down to sleep. (1 Samuel 3:3)
- That the LORD called Samuel: and he answered, “Here am I. “ (1 Samuel 3:4)
However, Samuel didn’t understand that it was the Lord calling him. He thought it was Eli, the Priest:
- And the LORD called yet again, “Samuel.” And Samuel arose and went to Eli, and said, “Here am I; for thou didst call me. ” And he answered, “I called not, my son; lie down again.” (1 Samuel 3:6)
- And the LORD called Samuel again the third time. And he arose and went to Eli, and said, “Here am I“; for thou didst call me.” And Eli perceived that the LORD had called the child. (1 Samuel 3:8)
- Therefore Eli said unto Samuel, “Go, lie down: and it shall be, if he call thee, that thou shalt say, Speak, LORD; for thy servant hears. “ So Samuel went and lay down in his place. (1 Samuel 3:9)
- And the LORD came, and stood, and called as at other times, “Samuel, Samuel.” Then Samuel answered, “Speak; for thy servant hears.” (1 Samuel 3:10)
- And the LORD said to Samuel, “Behold, I will do a thing in Israel, at which both the ears of every one that hears it shall tingle.” (1 Samuel 3:11)
To Midlife
Samuel grew up and ministered to the Lord in His Temple becoming a powerful Prophet of the Lord–speaking the word of the Lord in truth.
- And Samuel grew, and the LORD was with him, and did let none of his words fall to the ground. (1 Samuel 3:19)
- And all Israel from Dan even to Beersheba knew that Samuel was established to be a prophet of the LORD. (1 Samuel 3:20)
- And Samuel judged Israel all the days of his life. (1 Samuel 7:15)
- And his return was to Ramah; for there was his house; and there he judged Israel; and there he built an altar unto the LORD. (1 Samuel 7:17)
To Old Age
- And it came to pass, when Samuel was old, that he made his sons judges over Israel. (1 Samuel 8:1)
- Then all the elders of Israel gathered themselves together, and came to Samuel unto Ramah (1 Samuel 8:4)
And said unto him, “Behold, thou art old, and thy sons walk not in thy ways: now make us a king to judge us like all the nations.” But the thing displeased Samuel, when they said, “Give us a king to judge us.” And Samuel prayed unto the LORD. And the LORD said unto Samuel, “Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them. “ (1 Samuel 5:7) - And the LORD said to Samuel, “Hearken unto their voice, and make them a king.” And Samuel said unto the men of Israel, “Go ye every man unto his city.” (1 Samuel 8:22)
Samuel obeyed the voice of the Lord:
- And when Samuel saw Saul, the LORD said unto him, “Behold the man whom I spake to thee of! this same shall reign over my people.” (1 Samuel 9:17)
- Then Saul drew near to Samuel in the gate, and said, “Tell me, I pray thee, where the seer’s house is.” (1 Samuel 9:18)
- And Samuel answered Saul, and said, “I am the seer: go up before me unto the high place; for ye shall eat with me today, and tomorrow I will let thee go, and will tell thee all that is in thine heart.” (1 Samuel 9:19)
God directed Samuel to anoint Saul as the captain and eventually King of Israel:
- Then Samuel took a vial of oil, and poured it upon his head, and kissed him, and said, “Is it not because the LORD hath anointed thee to be captain over his inheritance? (1 Samuel 10:1)
- And the Spirit of the LORD will come upon thee, and thou shalt prophesy with them, and shalt be turned into another man. (1 Samuel 10:6)
- And let it be, when these signs are come unto thee, that thou do as occasion serve thee; for God is with thee.” (1 Samuel 10:7)
- And all the people went to Gilgal; and there they made Saul king before the LORD in Gilgal; and there they sacrificed sacrifices of peace offerings before the LORD; and there Saul and all the men of Israel rejoiced greatly. (1 Samuel 11:5)
- “And now, behold, the king walks before you: and I am old and gray-headed; and, behold, my sons are with you: and I have walked before you from my childhood unto this day.” (1 Samuel 12:2)
Samuel spoke against the people for asking to have a king (and not God):
- “Is it not wheat harvest today? I will call unto the LORD, and he shall send thunder and rain; that ye may perceive and see that your wickedness is great, which ye have done in the sight of the LORD, in asking you a king.” (1 Samuel 12:17)
- So Samuel called unto the LORD; and the LORD sent thunder and rain that day: and all the people greatly feared the LORD and Samuel. (1 Samuel 12:18)
Samuel reflected God’s influence over righteousness, enough to bring thunder and rain, causing the people to fear (not revere) God and Samuel.
Samuel believes in his heart that he would need to continue to intercede for the people and teach them the good and right way:
- “Moreover as for me, God forbid that I should sin against the LORD in ceasing to pray for you: but I will teach you the good and the right way: (1 Samuel 12:23)
- Only fear the LORD, and serve him in truth with all your heart: for consider how great things he hath done for you. (1 Samuel 12:24)
- But if ye shall still do wickedly, ye shall be consumed, both ye and your king.” (1 Samuel 12:25)
But Saul does not do right in the sight of the Lord. What I believe is that once we understand that we have fallen short of God’s command, causing sin, we need to repent and go on, believing that God will forgive, if we ask for forgiveness. Apparently, Saul didn’t repent:
- And Samuel said to Saul, “Thou hast done foolishly: thou hast not kept the commandments of the LORD thy God, which he commanded thee: for now would the LORD have established thy kingdom upon Israel for ever.” (1 Samuel 13:13)
- “But now thy kingdom shall not continue: the LORD hath sought him a man after his own heart, and the LORD hath commanded him to be captain over his people, because thou hast not kept that which the LORD commanded thee.” (1 Samuel 13:14)
- Then came the word of the LORD unto Samuel, saying, (1 Samuel 15:10)
- “It repents me that I have set up Saul to be king: for he is turned back from following me, and hath not performed my commandments.” And it grieved Samuel; and he cried unto the LORD all night. (1 Samuel 15:11)
Samuel speaks with Saul, pointing out his sin and Saul acknowledges his sin and asks Samuel “pardon my sin”. Nonetheless, Saul persisted in repenting:
- And Saul said unto Samuel, “I have sinned: for I have transgressed the commandments of the LORD, and thy words: because I feared the people, and obeyed their voice. (1 Samuel 15:24)
- Now therefore, I pray thee, pardon my sin, and turn again with me, that I may worship the LORD.” (1 Samuel 15:25)
- And Samuel said unto Saul, “I will not return with thee: for thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, and the LORD hath rejected thee from being king over Israel. (1 Samuel 15:26)
- And Samuel said unto Saul, I will not return with thee: for thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, and the LORD hath rejected thee from being king over Israel.” (1 Samuel 15:26)
- And as Samuel turned about to go away, he laid hold upon the skirt of his mantle, and it rent. (1 Samuel 15:27)
- And Samuel said unto him, The LORD hath rent the kingdom of Israel from thee this day, and hath given it to a neighbour of thine, that is better than thou. (1 Samuel 15:28)
- And also the Strength of Israel will not lie nor repent: for he is not a man, that he should repent. (1 Samuel 15:29)
- Then he said, “I have sinned: yet honor me now, I pray thee, before the elders of my people, and before Israel, and turn again with me, that I may worship the LORD thy God.” (1 Samuel 15:30)
- So Samuel turned again after Saul; and Saul worshiped the LORD. (1 Samuel 15:31)
- And Samuel came no more to see Saul until the day of his death: nevertheless Samuel mourned for Saul: and the LORD repented that he had made Saul king over Israel. (1 Samuel 15:35)
Then God again speaks to Samuel:
- And the LORD said unto Samuel, “How long wilt thou mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel? fill thine horn with oil, and go, I will send thee to Jesse the Bethlehemite: for I have provided me a king among his sons (1 Samuel 16:1)
- And call Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will shew thee what thou shalt do: and thou shalt anoint unto me him whom I name unto thee.” (1 Samuel 16:3)
- And Samuel did that which the LORD spake, and came to Bethlehem. And the elders of the town trembled at his coming, and said,” Come thou peaceably?” (1 Samuel 16:4)
How much does it take to have people ask if he (Samuel) comes peacefully? They knew the validity of God’s word and Samuel’s integrity and faithfulness to God to carry out either good news or bad news.
Samuel’s “office of responsibility” is not taken lightly. He understood God’s word, he taught God’s way. He knew God’s judgment and it’s ramifications–blessings and curses. He walked closely with God daily.
But God looks to the future. He is ready to find another “man of God,” who walks with Him daily in righteousness and is willing to humble himself to repent when he sins to God thus choosing David, one of Jesse’s seven sons.
- And Samuel said unto Jesse, “Are here all thy children?” And he said, “There remained yet the youngest, and, behold, he keeps the sheep.” And Samuel said unto Jesse, “Send and fetch him: for we will not sit down till he come hither.” (1 Samuel 16:11) And he sent, and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, and withal of a beautiful countenance, and goodly to look to. And the LORD said, “Arise, anoint him: for this is he.: (1 Samuel 16:12)
- Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the Spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel rose up, and went to Ramah. (1 Samuel 16:13)
- And David behaved himself wisely in all his ways; and the LORD was with him. (1 Samuel 18:14)
Samuel dies:
- And Samuel died; and all the Israelites were gathered together, and lamented him, and buried him in his house at Ramah. (1 Samuel 25:1)
Samuel served God from birth to youth, to mid life, then onto old age. He remained faithful, diligent and when he didn’t understand, he interceded for the people, and when Saul sinned, he mourned the loss of Saul’s kingship.
It’s Samuel’s love for God that he perseveres in his own destiny, never-failing God, daily walking closely to God, ever mindful and saying “Here am I,” “Speak; for thy servant hears.”
What about you? Do you hear God speaking with you? Are you His servant? Are you willing to follow Him who designed you? Are you willing to travel your own road or His road?
God is anxious for us to travel through our own earthly stages of life, to our last destiny at His side.
Father God, in the name of Jesus, my Lord, I pray for a closer walk with you, and I say “Here am I,” “Speak, your servant hears.”
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SeashoreMary
