Jesus in the Old Testament, 1 Samuel

Jesus in 1 Samuel.

We are studying this Statement from Jesus, John 5:39.

“You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life, and it is they that bear witness about me,”

We have now come to 1 Samuel. The book of 1 Samuel is a book of transition. It outlines the change from the Theocracy {a system of Government in which Priests rule in the name of God} established under Moses to the Monarchy {a form of Government with a King at the Head.} begun under King Saul. The book also marks the transition from Priests to Prophets as the Central Figure of God's dealing with Israel. Let’s look at 1 Samuel 8:1-6

“When Samuel became old, he made his sons judges over Israel. The name of his firstborn son was Joel, and the name of his second, Abijah; they were judges in Beersheba. Yet his sons did not walk in his ways but turned aside after gain. They took bribes and perverted justice.

Then all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah and said to him, “Behold, you are old and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now appoint for us a king to judge us like all the nations.” But the thing displeased Samuel when they said, “Give us a king to judge us.”

Now, remember, there was never meant to be a King over God’s Chosen People. It was to be The Word of God, that Ruled over God’s Chosen People. The Word, through His Priests. When Samuel took this request to God, God warned him about a King.

“Obey the voice of the people in all that they say to you, for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected me from being king over them. According to all the deeds that they have done, from the day I brought them up out of Egypt even to this day, forsaking me and serving other gods, so they are also doing to you. Now then, obey their voice; only you shall solemnly warn them and show them the ways of the king who shall reign over them.”

So Samuel tried to warn them about the Realities of having a King, other than God, Rule over them.

“These will be the ways of the king who will reign over you: he will take your sons and appoint them to his chariots and to be his horsemen and to run before his chariots. And he will appoint for himself commanders of thousands and commanders of fifties, and some to plow his ground and to reap his harvest, and to make his implements of war and the equipment of his chariots. He will take your daughters to be perfumers and cooks and bakers. He will take the best of your fields and vineyards and olive orchards and give them to his servants. He will take the tenth of your grain and of your vineyards and give it to his officers and to his servants. He will take your male servants and female servants and the best of your young men and your donkeys, and put them to his work. He will take the tenth of your flocks, and you shall be his slaves. And in that day you will cry out because of your king, whom you have chosen for yourselves, but the Lord will not answer you in that day.”

It did not matter what Samuel, or God for that matter, said. People still called out for an Earthly King. Remember what Jesus said regarding Kings and Rulers?

““You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.””

This is not the first time that Man messed up God’s Perfect Plan. Let’s look at Divorce really quick. Genesis 2:24

“Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.”

Moses gave Permission for Man and Woman to Divorce. But this was not God’s Plan. Jesus told us plainly in Mark 10:4-8

“They said, “Moses allowed a man to write a certificate of divorce and to send her away.” And Jesus said to them, “Because of your hardness of heart he wrote you this commandment. But from the beginning of creation, ‘God made them male and female.’ ‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.””

So God’s Chosen People have called for a King. Although that was not God’s Plan, He gave them over to their Desire and made Saul the first King of Israel.

We can see The Lord Jesus in the life of Samuel. During that period that Eli and his degenerate Sons were running the Priesthood, we see a glimmer of Hope came into the Land in the praying mother. The conditions in Israel just prior to our Lord's first coming were similar. To Hannah was born a son whom she called ''Samuel.'' That name means ''heard of God'' or ''Sons of God.''

Read Hannah's Prayer in the first ten verses of 1 Samuel 2.

““My heart exults in the Lord; my horn is exalted in the Lord. My mouth derides my enemies, because I rejoice in your salvation. There is none holy like the Lord: for there is none besides you; there is no rock like our God. Talk no more so very proudly, let not arrogance come from our mouth; for the Lord is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed. The bows of the mighty are broken, but the feeble bind on strength. Those who were full have hired themselves out for bread, but those who were hungry have ceased to hunger. The barren has borne seven, but she who has many children is forlorn. The Lord kills and brings to life; he brings down to Sheol and raises up. The Lord makes poor and makes rich; he brings low and he exalts.He raises up the poor from the dust; he lifts the needy from the ash heap make them sit with princes and inherit a seat of honor. For the pillars of the earth are the Lord's, and on them he has set the world. “He will guard the feet of his faithful ones, but the wicked shall be cut off in darkness, for not by might shall a man prevail. The adversaries of the Lord shall be broken to pieces; against them he will thunder in heaven. The Lord will judge the ends of the earth; he will give strength to his king and exalt the horn of his anointed.””

This Prayer was Prophetic, looking forward to a day of Deliverance. An interesting parallel can be observed in the prayer of Hannah and Mary's prayer, the Magnificat, recorded in Luke 1:46-55.

““My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name. And his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts; he has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate; he has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his offspring forever.””

Similarities between Christ and Samuel may be seen in the growth of Samuel, his acceptance as Prophet and Priest, and his place as a Ruler. Samuel's activity was terminated when the people, demanding a King, rejected him. As they accepted Jesus then rejected Him in lew of Earthly Rulers and ways.

Then we meet David. David was born in Bethlehem of the tribe of Judah. This young man, who was destined to be Israel's greatest King, spent his youth in his Father's Fields tending to the Sheep. Our Lord Jesus was born in Bethlehem of the tribe of Judah, spent His Childhood in Joseph's Carpenter Shop. He would become King and lay down his Life for His Sheep.

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” {John 10:11}

We see one of David’s earliest battles was against an {Unbeatable Giant} Goliath. Jesus first {Battle} if you will, was to be lead away to be tempted by the Devil face to face.

As we see David rejected and flees to a Cave in 1 Samuel 22. But he was not along. Who joined forces with David?

“And everyone who was in distress, and everyone who was in debt, and everyone who was bitter in soul, gathered to him. And he became commander over them. And there were with him about four hundred men.”

Even though they were far from perfect, they were drawn to David who was? Yup, rejected by his own People. We are not perfect, yet we are drawn to a King, who was rejected by His own People. Jesus.

We also see how although Saul is trying to kill David, David Spares and Saves Saul. If you really just look at this concept, you will quickly turn your attention to the other Saul. Saul from Tarsus Acts 9:3-7

“Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him. And falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.” The men who were traveling with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one.”

We will continue in 2 Samuel next time. We just touched the surface with these few examples, but you can clearly see, as with all the Books, Jesus in 1 Samuel.

Do you know Jesus as your Savior? Have you been adopted into the Family of God? If not, say this Prayer. Right now. Wherever you may be. Say it in your own words, and do not doubt in your heart. God will hear you. He will send the Spirit of Life to you. Let us Pray.

"Oh heavenly Father, Lord God. I am a sinner. I know this. I know there is nothing I can do to change that. But I know you can. I accept Jesus's sacrifice for me. I repent my sins. Please send the Spirit of Adoption into my life. Help me to get to know the real you. Save me. Please. In the name of Jesus, Amen!"

That's it. It really is that simple. Now go tell someone what you have just done. "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved." {Romans 10:9} You need to find a Church that God leads you to, and be Baptized the way Jesus said to be. You are now a Child of God. A new Creature. You "have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him." {Colossians 3:10}

If you want to tell me, or comment, question, give testimonials, or just say "Hi," the Email is opntalk@gmail.com

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.{2 Corinthians 13}

Until next time, be Blessed, be a Blessing, and Jesus is Lord!