Lessons from living under evil leadership
In the days of trouble, from whom in Scripture can we learn? Let’s look at Samuel and David.
Living under evil leadership
Both Samuel and David lived through times of very real evil. As we discussed previously, Samuel as a small boy ministered next to the complacent high priest Eli. Eli’s sons were both horribly wicked. Consider the following:
* Eli’s sons were scoundrels; they had no regard for the Lord. 1 Samuel 2:12
* This sin of the young men was very great in the Lord’s sight, for they were treating the Lord’s offering with contempt. It would be easy for a young boy to be corrupted by these evil rascals. But little Samuel set his heart on God. 1 Samuel 2:17
* Their sin was so bad that it was the Lord’s will to put them to death. 1 Samuel 25b
* But Samuel was ministering before the Lord—a boy wearing a linen ephod. And the boy Samuel continued to grow in stature and in favor with the Lord and with people (sounds like Someone else we know!). 1 Samuel 2:18
Lesson 1
Samuel’s devotion to the Lord protected him from the evil all around him. This is KEY for us as we draw closer and closer to the return of Jesus. Samuel’s life was set on God, and so must ours be.
Let’s keep reading:
* When Samuel was old, (about 50!) the people wanted a king like the other nations. Though Samuel wanted them to trust the Lord as King, the people prevailed, and God gave them Saul. It was not long until Saul turned against God and Samuel mourned for him (for about 20 years).
* After that, until the day Samuel died, (when he was about 80) he did not go to see Saul again, though Samuel mourned for him. And the Lord regretted that he had made Saul king over Israel. 1 Samuel 15:35
The Lord said to Samuel, “How long will you mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and be on your way; I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem. I have chosen one of his sons to be king.” 1 Samuel 16:1
Lesson 2
Samuel’s devotion to the Lord wasn’t just a thing of his youth: he remained devoted to the Lord all his life. In fact, Samuel’s devotion to the Lord allowed the Lord to use him in prophetically powerful ways.
Let’s read on:
So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him [David] in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David. Samuel then went to Ramah. 1 Samuel 16:13-18, 23
Most Bible readers miss the connection between Samuel and Jesse. Samuel is credited with writing the book of Ruth (as well as the book of Judges and most of 1 Samuel). It is very likely that he knew Boaz and Ruth, as they were Jesse’s grandparents (and David’s great-grandparents), as well as knowing Jesse. Boaz (was) the father of Obed, Obed the father of Jesse, and Jesse the father of David. (Ruth 4:21b-22). In fact, Samuel and David’s connection runs very deep, even beyond Samuel knowing David’s family.
David and the influence of Samuel
If we keep reading in 1 Samuel 16, the focus shifts from Samuel to Saul and David. However, we can still see Samuel’s influence in each of these kings’ lives. In fact, David connected with Samuel years before David was anointed as king. But more on that later.
Now, after David was anointed as king, the Spirit of the Lord came on David with power. The Spirit left King Saul and instead he received an evil spirit from the Lord. Who do Saul’s attendants recommend to drive away the evil spirit? The freshly anointed king, the shepherd boy, David. How will David drive the spirit away? With his harp!
Now the Spirit of the Lord had departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the Lord tormented him. Saul’s attendants said to him, “See, an evil spirit from God is tormenting you. Let our lord command his servants here to search for someone who can play the harp. He will play when the evil spirit from God comes on you, and you will feel better.” So Saul said to his attendants, “Find someone who plays well and bring him to me.” One of the servants answered, “I have seen a son of Jesse of Bethlehem who knows how to play the harp. He is a brave man and a warrior. He speaks well and is a fine-looking man. And the Lord is with him.” Whenever the spirit from God came on Saul, David would take up his lyre and play. Then relief would come to Saul; he would feel better, and the evil spirit would leave him. 1 Samuel 16:14-18
Ok, this should puzzle you just a bit. Where did David get a harp? And how and from where did he gain enough skill to chase evil spirits away? Saul asked for someone who “plays well,” and he was brought someone whose playing chased evil spirits away! This is the same kind of power we need today, and we will need even more in the days to come!
In closing
There are 2 lessons for us that are key takeaways from this letter.
Lesson 1
Samuel’s devotion to the Lord protected him from the evil all around him.
Lesson 2
Samuel’s devotion to the Lord wasn’t just a thing of his youth: he remained devoted to the Lord all his life.
Coming next time
In our next article, we will look at Samuel and David’s relationship, how Samuel trained David, and why music is such a powerful spiritual weapon in the final days.
