Samuel: A Picture of Christians

KEY VERSE: Ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light. (1 Pet 2:9)

  In that passage, Peter (the writer) spoke of “the appointed” (1 Pet 2:8). The Hebrew word means specifically, “placed in an upright position.” God “places” by calling (2 Tim 1:9), “For many are called, but few are chosen” (Mat 22:14), or as well said, selected. Likewise, in the key verse “chosen” is as well said, selected. God calls, and some criteria is used for selection. We find from Jesus’s own words that “born again” is what one “must be.” (John 3:7). Although faith is a gift from God, like any gift it must be used to have utility. To be saved requires a life-time of using the gift of faith (Mat 10:22). Therefore, although Jesus paid the price (redemption), covenants have parties of two parts. Christians must want to be freed from the chains of sin.
  The way Satan works is deceiving people into believing that they are free moral agents, doing as they please – “what is right in their own eyes” (Jud 17:6). That attitude takes us back to the time of judges wherein the sons of the priest Eli were doing what was right in their own eyes – eating uncooked raw meat as their portion rather than boiled meat with the blood removed. God demands respect, and laws were meant for people to respect God. In modern times, as back then, most take God’s Will flippantly, doing as they please. Eli’s sons - Hophni and Phinehas - were heirs to the priesthood and Eli was about to die. They were not worthy, and God placed a curse on them. The lives of them and their descendants would be cut short, and by the way, God would create a new priest worthy of the position. Eli's sons were appointed by reason of lineage, but Samuel was afterwards selected by God.
  As He did in many miracles, God chose Hannah, the wife of Elkanah, to bear a worthy priest. What was so miraculous about that? Hannah’s womb was “closed.” A closed womb is a biological condition of the cervix and fluids wherein sperm cannot enter to impregnate. It was physically impossible for Hannah to conceive by natural means. That didn’t stop God. He answered Hannah’s prayer request, and Samuel was conceived by Elkanah. Not only a child, but a peculiar child! How was Samuel peculiar? It appears that he was born a Nazerite, as was Samson, whose life was dedicated to the Lord. Unlike Samson, though, there is no record of Samuel breaking the vows of a Nazarite. He endured to the end.
  Samuel was to become the first “royal priest” to Saul, and then to King David. Look at the key verse. Those selected by God are of “a royal priesthood.” Implied with that, is that those selected were to be like Samuel – Nazarites. Not to focus on the hair-cutting, but to be sanctified as Samuel was. Sanctification is maintaining faith to the end, refraining from sin, and living a life dedicated to God. Samuel did that, and so can contemporary Christians, because they too are selected by God. Calvinism seems to disdain holiness because they fail to understand the purpose of The Law (That is the Antinomialism heresy.)
  Samuel was called. God called him from the womb. That was not peculiar in itself because all are called! The “peculiarity” is because so few hearken to the call. If you’re remember, Adam did not hearken to God with original sin, he hearkened to Eve (Gen 3:17). Samuel heard God’s voice and hearkened to His call.
  Eli’s sons did not hearken to The Law, and certainly failed to detect God’s calling. “Born again” is persuaded that we can’t save ourselves, but trusting in God that He can. It is diminishing ourselves and elevating God (Luke 16:31). It is dependent upon Christians to use their reasoning to be persuaded to follow God, and trust Him for safety and salvation. Now compare God’s selection of Samuel after the appointment of Hophi and Phinehas:

And I will raise me up a faithful priest, that shall do according to that which is in mine heart and in my mind: and I will build him a sure house; and he shall walk before mine anointed for ever. (1 Sam 2:35)

  That was God choosing Samuel, and what made him peculiar, was that he would praise God rather than reject His tenants as Hophi and Phinehas who did their own will. Note that how God called Samuel is how Christians are called in the key verse! Also, from the key verse, it says, “Him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light.” Those called must see the light, of course, the truth about God and from God. Seeing the light is born again (John 3:19-21). In Samuel’s case, it is written:

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 (Eli) answered, “I called not, my son; lie down again.”  Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord, neither was the word of the Lord yet revealed unto him. (1 Sam 3:6-7)

  God called Samuel. He selected him to be the royal priest. Eli had nothing do with Samuel’s calling; it was all God’s calling and His Words! Preachers and deacons make a big ado about their “calling.” They are not any more peculiar than any other Christian.  We all are called to be of the royal priesthood. Preachers are called to be Christians, but the position of bishop is appointed. Samuel was appointed as prophet by the Israelites and as judge by the Israelites, but chosen by God. Saul appointed Samuel royal priest, then Saul tried to perform that duty himself. The king appointed royal priests. With no king today, THE KING Jesus appoints royal priests, and bishops and deacons have no part in that.
  Samuel had the Word revealed to him by God. “The Word” is Jesus. Again I say, God revealed (manifested) is who Jesus Is. Jesus selected Samuel, and the Holy Ghost of Jesus selects Christians. (Assigning different personages to the Holy Trinity is the heresy of Arianism. There is but one God with three aspects or substances: Mind, Spirit, and Flesh).
  When God revealed the light (truth) to Samuel, he finally knew the Lord (Jesus is Lord.)  He was set free from deception when he saw the light. Again, examine the key verse: “from darkness into His marvelous light.” Samuel was selected by God, but he too had to be persuaded. When he listened to God’s Voice, he became persuaded.
  That’s the same for Christians: God calls, we hear His silent Voice, realize the truth; then it is on our shoulders. Using our God-given free will, God must be accepted as King to reign over ourselves. That truth was revealed to Samuel and throughout his life, God reigned, even unto his death. Samuel had enduring faith, not just a moment of contrition. Faith is time dependent; it varies throughout life, but faith (trust in God) must be maintained. In 1 Samuel 2:5 above it is written, “He (Samuel) shall walk before mine anointed for ever.” That is a lifetime walk, not just a short walk to the altar then a turnaround. “Forever” is endurance to the end! That’s the same duration of faith that Christians are to have!
  Samuel did not need to endure on his own. The same passage says, “I will build him a sure house.” Samuel was not alone. His priesthood was aided and abetted by God. Samuel’s temple prevailed until his end. Christians have God’s house within. Our “house” is the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor 3:16).
  What was Peter thinking when he assigned Christians to the royal priesthood? He was thinking of Samuel. How should Christians live? As God directed Samuel, He likewise directs us. Royal priests are to be like the Nazarites because they were like Jesus. Yes, Jesus was surely a Nazarite as well as John the Baptist. God ordained them Nazarites at birth. God sanctifies those who become Christians at rebirth.

  On a personal note, why do I write commentary? When I was alone with God one day years ago, He revealed to me Jesus. I saw Jesus in all the Old Testament. Then I became angry! Why was I never taught that the Voice in the Garden and the Word who spoke to the prophets was Jesus? Why did they not preach and teach that what was good for Samuel was good for us? I write because the gospel story was revealed to the prophets throughout ancient times. For instance, when I read Genesis 1-3, I am revealed the gospel of Jesus! I write of these things because our appointed bishops and deacons most often fail to have the truth revealed. The Lord of Samuel is also my Lord. That persuades me to be a Christian and endeavor to allow God to maintain my spiritual “house.”