SAMUEL: A MAN WHO PREACHED FROM THE GRAVE I SAMUEL 28:7-11

In I Samuel 25, Samuel dies. In chapter 28, Saul is getting ready to go up against the Philistines. When Saul sees the army of the Philistines he is afraid, and his heart trembled greatly. He wants to inquire of the Lord, but there is no answer. Not by:DreamsUrimProphets He calls on a medium. To bring up Samuel.

Samuel had: anointed him king; pleaded with him; warned him; prayed with him. Samuel was Saul’s spiritual advisor. He needed his advice now as never before. But he was dead. He asked the medium “Bing up Samuel” God granted Saul’s request. The medium was surprised. Samuel talked to Saul.

I Samuel 28:15-19 Now Samuel said to Saul, "Why have you disturbed me by bringing me up?'' And Saul answered, "I am deeply distressed; for the Philistines make war against me, and God has departed from me and does not answer me anymore, neither by prophets nor by dreams. Therefore I have called you, that you may reveal to me what I should do.'' Then Samuel said: "Why then do you ask me, seeing the Lord has departed from you and has become your enemy? And the Lord has done for Himself as He spoke by me. For the Lord has torn the kingdom out of your hand and given it to your neighbor, namely, David. Because you did not obey the voice of the Lord nor execute His fierce wrath upon Amalek, therefore the Lord has done this thing to you this day. Moreover the Lord will also deliver Israel with you into the hand of the Philistines. And tomorrow you and your sons will be with me. The Lord will also deliver the army of Israel into the hand of the Philistines.''

Samuel Had A Godly Mother Hannah prayed fervently for a child. She vowed to God if He would give her a son, she would give him back to God. Greatness can often be traced back to good parents. Jesus had good honest and righteous earthly parents. John the Baptist had godly parents. Timothy was the Christian he was due in large part of the faith that dwelt in his grandmother Lois and his mother Eunice. Samson’s parents inquired of the Lord how to raise him. Abraham Lincoln’s mother advised him what kind of man to become right before she died.

Grover Cleveland attributed his success to his mother. James Garfield thanked his mother for making him what he was. Hannah promised her son to the Lord. We should do the same by raising our children according to God’s word. Too many parents look out for the secular things for their children but forget the spiritual things. Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it. Ephesians 6:4 Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

Samuel’s Call A voice called to Samuel one night three times Eli finally perceived that it was God calling Samuel. Samuel was to tell Eli that he and his family were rejected. Samuel ministered to the Lord under Eli the priest. Eli’s sons were worthless men. Each time he thought it was Eli. Samuel told Eli everything and hid nothing from him.

Today as Christian we need the courage of Samuel. I Corinthians 16:13 Be watchful, stand firm in your faith, be courageous, be strong. II Timothy 4:2-4 Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. Like Paul and Samuel we must declare the whole counsel of God. Some people today want to hear the easy things.

Samuel And Adversity Samuel had a lot of adversity in his life. He had to fight the Philistines. The people wanted a King. He had to stand-up against Saul. How did he handle it? His sons did evil in the eyes of the Lord. He did nothing mean. He challenged them to find a dishonorable act in his whole life. He reminded them about the mercies of God. He prayed for them.

When adversity comes our way how do we handle it? Adversity brings out one’s true character. James 1:2-4 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. Adversity can make us stronger or weaker. If adversity comes in the form of a person, pray for that person. Matthew 5:44 "But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you.”

Samuel Was God’s Mouthpiece God called Samuel to tell Saul that he was selected as King. Saul had great possibilities. If he would have completely followed the command of the Lord, there is no telling what he might have accomplished. Instead he ended up trying to take his own life. Samuel pleaded with Saul and warned him, but in the end he would not listen. Saul was guilty of will-worship. God called Samuel to tell Saul he was rejected as king.

Today which man represents you? Samuel who lived his life for God. Saul who rejected God’s word. Saul did what was right for a while. But in the end he would not listen. Again you are faced with a choice. You can become a Christian and live a faithful life to God. Reject God and suffer the consequences.

ARE YOU A SAUL OR A SAMUEL?

Given by David Hamlin on am Hollister, Missouri church of Christ