Theophany #48 – Samuel (Part II): The LORD Who Was with Him All His Days
- Ken Kalis
- Jan 19
- 5 min read
Last week we met Samuel the child, awakened in the night by the voice of the LORD. Today we follow that child across an entire lifetime — from God’s gift to a praying mother, to prophet, judge, king-maker, intercessor, and finally a voice heard even beyond the grave.
“And Samuel grew, and the LORD was with him, and did let none of his words fall to the ground.”— 1 Samuel 3:19
A Child Given — and Given Back
Samuel was, from the beginning, a gift from God. His mother Hannah “loaned him back to the LORD,” very likely as a Nazirite, setting him apart for lifelong service.
From his earliest years, Samuel lived in the presence of God, ministering before the LORD while still a boy.
When God first spoke to him, Samuel mistook the divine voice for a human one. Yet when the LORD finally revealed Himself, the message was not comforting, but stern — a word of rebuke and judgment against Eli, Samuel’s mentor and the judge of Israel.
Samuel was afraid to deliver it. But he did.
This moment marks the true beginning of Samuel’s ministry: faithfulness to the Word of the LORD, even when that word is costly.
A Prophet Whose Words Did Not Fall
From that day forward, the LORD continued to speak to Samuel, and Samuel continued to speak for the LORD. Scripture records his reputation plainly:
“All Israel from Dan even to Beersheba knew that Samuel was established to be a prophet of the LORD.”
Many of Samuel’s words were words of rebuke and correction — to the people of Israel, and especially to their first king.
Judge, Intercessor, and Man of Action
Samuel was not only a preacher. He was also a judge, a leader, and a man of action. He called Israel to repentance, prayed for them, and even led the armies of the LORD against the Philistines, Israel’s great enemy.
When Saul failed to obey God’s command and spared Agag, king of the Amalekites, Samuel carried out the judgment himself. His obedience was complete. He did not soften the Word of the LORD to spare appearances.
Samuel, Saul, and a Broken Heart
Samuel anointed Saul king, obeying God even when the people’s demand grieved him deeply. When Saul disobeyed, Samuel delivered one of the most searching rebukes in all of Scripture:
“To obey is better than sacrifice.”
He also delivered the terrible news that the kingdom would be taken from Saul. This judgment broke Samuel’s heart. He never went to see Saul again, yet he continued to pray for him.
Samuel’s life teaches us that faithfulness does not mean emotional distance; it often means deep sorrow carried before God.
Rejected — Yet Comforted by God
When the people demanded a king, Samuel felt personally rejected. But the LORD comforted him with words that reach far beyond Samuel’s own story:
“They have not rejected thee, but they have rejected Me, that I should not reign over them.”
This moment also meant the end of Samuel’s sons as judges. Like Eli before him, Samuel knew the pain of children who did not walk in their father’s ways. Yet he did not withdraw. He obeyed.
The Anointing of David
Still listening for God’s voice, Samuel was sent to Bethlehem. There he anointed David, the shepherd boy, as king in Saul’s place. But David would not have been Samuel's choice, and the LORD had to teach him and us this importnatlesson.
And he sanctified Jesse and his sons, and called them to the sacrifice.
1Sa 16:6 And it came to pass, when they were come, that he looked on Eliab, and said, Surely the LORD'S anointed is before him. 1Sa 16:7 But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.
The prophet who had rebuked one king now quietly prepared the way for another — one whose line would lead to Christ Himself.
Samuel’s obedience shaped Israel’s future long after his own public ministry had faded.
A Voice from Beyond the Grave
When Samuel died, all Israel mourned him. But his story does not end there.
In desperation, Saul turned to the forbidden darkness of the witch of Endor. In one of the most sobering scenes in Scripture, Samuel appeared and spoke — again delivering a message of warning and judgment.
Samuel’s voice is the only one in Scripture clearly heard from beyond the grave, and even then, he speaks only the Word of the LORD.
The Last and Greatest Judge
Samuel was the last and greatest of the Judges, and certainly the most faithful. He was a great intercessor — so much so that the LORD later ranks him with Moses:
“Though Moses and Samuel stood before me, yet my mind could not be toward this people.” (Jer. 15:1)
He may have written early portions of the books that bear his name, and through them he continues to speak to us today.
But his greatness is not found in office, action, or even influence. It is found here:
“And Samuel grew, and the LORD was with him, and did let none of his words fall to the ground.”
What a testimony.
Closing Prayer
Faithful LORD, You who called Samuel in the night and walked with him all his days, teach us to love Your Word, to speak it without fear, and to obey You even when obedience wounds the heart. May we, like Samuel, grow before You, and may none of Your words fall to the ground in our lives. Amen.
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I1. Jesus calls us o'er the tumult
Of our life's wild, restless sea;
Day by day his sweet voice sounding,
Saying, "Christian, follow me."
2. Brothers Simon, Andrew heard it
By the Galilean lake,
Turned from home, and toil, and kindred,
Leaving all for His dear sake.
3. Jesus calls us from the worship
Of the vain world’s golden store,
From each idol that would keep us,
Saying, “Christian, love me more.”
4. In our joys and in our sorrows,
Days of toil and hours of ease,
Still he calls, in cares and pleasures,
“Christian, love me more than these.”
5. Jesus calls us—By your mercies,
Savior, may we hear your call,
Give our hearts to your obedience,
Serve and love you best of all.f you wish, next I can:
Author: Cecil Frances Alexander (1852)
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