AND SAMUEL DIED
1 Samuel 25:1 And Samuel died; and all the Israelites were gathered together, and lamented him, and buried him in his house at Ramah. And David arose, and went down to the wilderness of Paran.
1 Samuel 28:3 Now Samuel was dead, and all Israel had lamented him, and buried him in Ramah, even in his own city. And Saul had put away those that had familiar spirits, and the wizards, out of the land. 4 And the Philistines gathered themselves together, and came and pitched in Shunem: and Saul gathered all Israel together, and they pitched in Gilboa. 5 And when Saul saw the host of the Philistines, he was afraid, and his heart greatly trembled. 6 And when Saul enquired of the LORD, the LORD answered him not, neither by dreams, nor by Urim, nor by prophets.
The death of Samuel was of great importance and great loss to Israel. He would be the last of the judges, being the first of the prophets, (Acts 13:24), responsible for bringing in the line of Israel’s kings. For he anointed both Saul and David, the first two in the line of the kings. He is listed among those of faith in Hebrews chapter eleven, being rightly included in the verse which also speaks of David. Hebrews 11:32 And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets:
He was born of a mother whose name, Hannah, means “favored.” Her name is derived from a Hebrew word translated, “hath graciously given,” in Genesis 33:5. She had a husband, but Samuel’s birth required the intervention of God. 1 Samuel 1:1 Now there was a certain man of Ramathaimzophim, of mount Ephraim, and his name was Elkanah, the son of Jeroham, the son of Elihu, the son of Tohu, the son of Zuph, an Ephrathite: 2 And he had two wives; the name of the one was Hannah, and the name of the other Peninnah: and Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children. 19 And they rose up in the morning early, and worshipped before the LORD, and returned, and came to their house to Ramah: and Elkanah knew Hannah his wife; and the LORD remembered her. 20 Wherefore it came to pass, when the time was come about after Hannah had conceived, that she bare a son, and called his name Samuel, saying, Because I have asked him of the LORD.
She is a picture of our Lord’s mother who was also highly favored, but even though she is called Joseph’s “wife,” she had God to overshadow her in order for her to produce the Prophet, Priest and King – the Lord Jesus Christ. Luke 1:26 And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, 27 To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. 28 And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. Matthew 1:24 Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: 25 And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.
Luke 1:30 And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. 31 And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. 35 And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.
Hannah named her God-given son, Samuel, which mens, “heard of God.” (See 1 Samuel 1:20 listed above.)
And our Lord was also always heard of the Father! John 11:41 Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me. 42 And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me. 43 And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. 44 And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go.
The Scriptures also state that Samuel’s growth was like the growth of the young Christ. 1 Samuel 2:26 And the child Samuel grew on, and was in favour both with the LORD, and also with men. Luke 2:52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.
In order to show the seriousness of Samuel’s death, we see that, although Samuel did let none of God’s words “fall to the ground,” King Saul was not heard or answered by God immediately thereafter. 1 Samuel 28:6 And when Saul enquired of the LORD, the LORD answered him not, neither by dreams, nor by Urim, nor by prophets.
We must take note of our first verse at the beginning of this article. For it states that when Samuel died, David arose, and went down to the wilderness of Paran. Knowing that our Lord Jesus has instructed us that everything in the scriptures speak of him, (see Luke 24:44), we come to see the spiritual significance of this. For Samuel, a prophet dies, and David, a personal picture of the Lord Christ then goes down to Paran.
First let us notice that Paran was a place where the presence of God first dwelt as Israel journeyed towards the promised land. It represents then, a place where the Spirit of the Lord rested as He led the people of God out of Egypt. Numbers 10:11 And it came to pass on the twentieth day of the second month, in the second year, that the cloud was taken up from off the tabernacle of the testimony. 12 And the children of Israel took their journeys out of the wilderness of Sinai; and the cloud rested in the wilderness of Paran.
Secondly, we see that when the prophets died out, (“And Samuel Died”), God then speaks to us through His Son! Hebrews 1:1 God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, 2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;
And He speaks to us “by his Son” through the Holy Spirit! John 14:17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. 15:26 But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me: 16:7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. 13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.
This is the spiritual significance of David arising and going down to Paran! It speaks of Christ arising and sending back to us the Holy Spirit, who unlike the cloud, shall not just be “with” us, but also “in” us. John 14:17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
Thirdly, we take notice of our passage in 1 Samuel 28, listed above. For it also speaks of Samuel’s death. And it reveals another occurrence which came after his death. It reveals that the enemy of Israel, the Philistines, gathered themselves together to come against Israel.
And as we read this we must keep in mind that all men are God’s servants. But not all men are God’s sons, while all, evil and righteous, are the servants of God. Proverbs 21:1 The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will. Proverbs 16:1 The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the LORD. God doesn’t have enemies! He only has servants! Daniel 4:35 And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?
Therefore we see that the Philistines have it in their hearts to overcome Israel at this time of Samuel’s death. But they, like the Assyrians, are but the rod of correction in God’s hand to punish Israel. Isaiah 10:5 O Assyrian, the rod of mine anger, and the staff in their hand is mine indignation. 6 I will send him against an hypocritical nation, (that is, Israel), and against the people of my wrath will I give him a charge, to take the spoil, and to take the prey, and to tread them down like the mire of the streets. 7 Howbeit he (the Assyrian), meaneth not so, neither doth his heart think so; but it is in his heart to destroy and cut off nations not a few.
And just how did the Sovereign Lord use these Philistines? He used them for two ends. First they were used to bring down King Saul. 1 Samuel 31:1 Now the Philistines fought against Israel: and the men of Israel fled from before the Philistines, and fell down slain in mount Gilboa. 2 And the Philistines followed hard upon Saul and upon his sons; and the Philistines slew Jonathan, and Abinadab, and Malchishua, Saul’s sons. 3 And the battle went sore against Saul, and the archers hit him; and he was sore wounded of the archers. 4 Then said Saul unto his armourbearer, Draw thy sword, and thrust me through therewith; lest these uncircumcised come and thrust me through, and abuse me. But his armourbearer would not; for he was sore afraid. Therefore Saul took a sword, and fell upon it.
But these same Philistines were used of God to bring up David! 1 Samuel 18:6 And it came to pass as they came, when David was returned from the slaughter of the Philistine, (Goliath), that the women came out of all cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet king Saul, with tabrets, with joy, and with instruments of musick. 7 And the women answered one another as they played, and said, Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands. 14 And David behaved himself wisely in all his ways; and the LORD was with him.
Knowing these things, the believers should overcome their fears and patiently await the outcome of seemingly horrifying events. Philippians 1:6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: 1:28 And in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God.
And we see that in our 1 Samuel 28 passage that the Philistines pitched their tents in Shunem. That Hebrew word means “quietly.” And well do the scriptures describe Satan as “that old serpent” (Rev. 12:9). For he slithers into the presence of mankind as unnoticed as possible. He even transforms himself as an angel of light. 2 Corinthians 11:14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. His workers come into the church as wolves in sheep clothing. Jude 4 For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ. Matthew 7:15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
For the tare (hypocrite) does not become recognizable until their fruit is produced! Matthew 13:25 But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way. 26 But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also. In the early growing stage both the wheat and tare appear similar.
Listen to the Psalmist write of his discovery of a hypocritical friend, which the Lord uses to describe Judas. Psalm 41:9 Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me. Psalm 55:12 For it was not an enemy that reproached me; then I could have borne it: neither was it he that hated me that did magnify himself against me; then I would have hid myself from him: 13 But it was thou, a man mine equal, my guide, and mine acquaintance. 14 We took sweet counsel together, and walked unto the house of God in company. 21 The words of his mouth were smoother than butter, but war was in his heart: his words were softer than oil, yet were they drawn swords.
The reprobate learn the gospel, which they come to deny, on the same church benches as do the elect. 1 John 2:18 Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time. 19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.
These “antichrists” sit in the temple of God attempting to show that they are like unto God! 2 Thessalonians 2:4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God. For the wicked are necessary to reveal the righteous wrath and judgment of God! Proverbs 16:4 The LORD hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil. Romans 9:22 What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction:
Pastor Gene Breed
September 28, 2019