3:19-21

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Samuel - prophet, judge, priest

(1Sa 3:19-21)

Years passed and Samuel developed into a religious and civil leader known and respected throughout the land, from Dan in the far north to Beersheba in the far south (1Sa 3:19-21).

He was a prophet who made known God’s will to the people (see 1Sa 3:20-21) and a judge who ruled over the civil affairs of the people (see 1Sa 7:15).

In addition he was appointed by God to carry out priestly duties even though he was not a descendant of Aaron (see 1Sa 7:9; 1 Chron 6:33-38).

The priesthood was by now so corrupt that it was of little spiritual help to the people. The various ceremonies and sacrifices were meaningless rituals. Consequently, God was increasingly using prophets, rather than priests, to speak to his people.

As the Spirit revealed God’s message to the prophets, they passed it on to the people. Sometimes the prophets became over-excited because of the activity of the Spirit of God upon them, and their uncontrolled behaviour gave them a bad reputation (see 1Sa 10:9-12; 19:20-24).

In an effort to develop this religious enthusiasm for the benefit of the nation, Samuel established a school of prophets at Ramah. Others were later established in Bethel, Jericho and Gilgal (see 1Sa 19:18-20; 2 Kings 2:3,5; 4:38).

Emotionalism did not feature in all prophetic preaching, nor was it essential to the prophet’s ministry. The important characteristic of the prophet was that he spoke as the representative of God in announcing God’s will to the people (see 1Sa 22:5).

The prophet’s messages were therefore concerned chiefly with the people’s daily affairs. Nevertheless, as the prophet urged the people to turn from their sins to God, he may also have foretold events that would follow their obedience or disobedience.