1 Samuel 3:19 And Samuel grew, and the LORD was with him, and did let none of his words fall to the ground. It is the design of the present discourse to show what was implied in God's being with Samuel. I. This implied THAT GOD PRESERVED HIS LIFE AND HEALTH. While other children died, Samuel lived, and grew in stature and strength. He could gratefully say, "I am old and grey-headed." Long life is often represented as the natural effect and temporal reward of early piety. II. God's being with him implied THAT HE PRESERVED HIM FROM MORAL AS WELL AS NATURAL EVIL. He lived in an evil day. All orders and ages of men had grown corrupt, and every kind of error, delusion, and vice prevailed. Samuel, therefore, was greatly exposed to be carried away by the torrent of moral corruption, and nothing but the presence of God could preserve him from being overwhelmed and destroyed. But God was with him and he with God; for he lived as seeing Him who is invisible. A love to God, and a sense of His constant presence, made him hate and avoid every sinful course. This was certainly owing to God's being with him, and restraining the native depravity of his heart. It is easy for God to keep the heart of those who constantly lean upon Him. III. God's being with Samuel implied HIS CONSTANT GUIDANCE IN THE PATH OF DUTY. Accordingly we find that God did from time to time, direct him in duty. He directed him to bear His solemn messages to Eli and his house. He directed him to comply with the voice of the people, and anoint Saul to be king over Israel. And He directed him, at the hazard of his life, to anoint David, the son of Jesse, to succeed Saul on the throne which be then claimed and possessed. Besides directing him in extraordinary cases, whither to go, what to do, and what to say, He directed him in all his common and daily conduct. IV. God's being with Samuel implied THAT HE AFFORDED HIM ASSISTANCE IN THE DISCHARGE OF DUTY. Samuel was constantly dependent on God to enable him to do his duty, after he was led to the knowledge of it. He was called to many arduous and self-denying duties, which he would have neglected to perform if God had not inspired him with courage, resolution, and zeal. He was at first afraid to deliver the Divine messages to Eli. It was a dangerous duty to anoint David king over Israel, while Saul his enemy was on the throne. V. God's with Samuel implied THAT HE SUCCEEDED, AS WELL AS GUIDED AND ASSISTED, HIM IN DUTY. Men may form wise and good designs, and pursue them with activity and diligence, but without success. In all their undertakings, it depends upon God whether they shall obtain the object of their wishes. VI. That God's being with Samuel implied THAT HE MADE HIM EMINENTLY USEFUL IN HIS DAY AND GENERATION. God made Samuel uncommonly useful in various ways. 1. By his predictions. He early called him and ordained him a prophet, to reveal His will to His chosen people. 2. God made Samuel useful by his instructions. Though he was not a priest, yet he was an eminent instructor. He was the first that taught the school of the prophets; which was a most excellent institution, and continued in the nation until after the Babylonish captivity, when synagogues were first established and multiplied in the land. But, beside this, he taught the people at large, and restrained them from the gross practices and errors to which they were exposed, while there was no king nor faithful priests in the nation. 3. God made Samuel very useful, by clothing him with civil authority, and giving him opportunity to administer justice through the land. We read, "Samuel judged Israel all the days of his life." 4. God gave Samuel the spirit of grace and supplication, by which He enabled him to draw down national blessings, and avert national salami. ties. David mentions the efficacy of Samuel's prayers, as an example to the people of God in the days of darkness and distress. "Exalt ye the Lord our God, and worship at His footstool: for He is holy Moses and Aaron among His priests, and Samuel among them that call upon His name: they called upon the Lord, and He answered them." 5. His example crowned and established his character in the view of the nation. He was called to visit all parts of Judea, which gave the people a peculiar opportunity of seeing his holy and exemplary conduct. This constrained them to believe that God was with him, for he carried the visible appearance of living near to God, and of enjoying His gracious presence.IMPROVEMENT. 1. It appears from the character and conduct of Samuel that pious and faithful parents may do much to promote the piety and usefulness of their children. 2. We learn from the character and life of Samuel the importance of parents being pious. 3. The character and conduct of Samuel show the peculiar obligations of those who have been the subjects of parental dedication and instruction, to make a personal dedication of themselves to the Lord. 4. In the view of the character and conduct of Samuel we may see the great importance of early piety. 5. We learn from what has been said that it is very criminal to obstruct early piety. (N. Emmons.) Parallel Verses KJV: And Samuel grew, and the LORD was with him, and did let none of his words fall to the ground.WEB: Samuel grew, and Yahweh was with him, and let none of his words fall to the ground. |
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