Charles (Chuck) Kensinger

Samu

el’s birth and call to ministry

Every minister must start somewhere and I Samuel chapter 1 is his beginning as a baby.  He became more than the last judge of Israel.  He was a prophet and the one who anointed the first two kings.  But first, he had to be born.

Hannah was childless.  This was nothing that was unique to her.  It frustrated her more than anything.  She agreed to give her child to Jehovah if he would only grant her desire.  The priest at the Tabernacle thought she must be drunk because when she prayed her heart was broken to the point, she could not vocalize those feelings.

After Yahweh granted her wish, she did not return to Shiloh until the child was old enough to be left with the priest, Eli.  What could a young boy do for God in the place where all the Jews came to worship and sacrifice?

Hanna prays in I Samuel 2 thanking Jehovah for her son.  She proclaims there is no other God.  He is the one who directs everything.  The justice of Yahweh will prevail.  The boy is left with Eli the priest.

The priest has two sons who are not very good as priests.  They have no concern for the people and are only interested in themselves.  They take what they want whether it is the women outside the tabernacle or the best part of the sacrifice.  Samuel sees all this.

A prophet comes and tells Eli that God will soon pass judgment on him, his sons and his entire family.  There will be a new prophet chosen to lead Israel.  He doesn’t name Samuel, but the description fits the boy when he is grown.

Samuel’s job in the Tabernacle was to assist Eli and his sons.  In I Samuel chapter 3 we read of the first message Jehovah gives to the boy.  He hears someone calling him three times and finally, Eli realizes that God is calling him.  Following the advice of the priest, the next time his name is called, the young judge responds positively to the Lord.

What will happen to the current family of priests is given to the young man? He reluctantly tells his mentor the next morning.  As Samuel grew, he was recognized as a prophet by Israel.

©Copyright 2020 by Charles Kensinger