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method of his using it. A t every stage of his life we have th e constant testi mony of th e people to his power w ith God in prayer. When finally he was set aside and the kingdom was se t up, th e people still wanted him to pray for them, thongh they had no fu rth e r use for him a s .a ru le r or judge. He did not go into retirem en t and sulk like an angry child. He did not tell the people to g et along as best they could w ith th e ir new king. H e meekly said, “God forbid th a t I should sin against the Lord in ceasing to pray for you.” 1 Sam. 12:23. The prayers of such a man are a g reater natonal asset th a n a stand ing army. No wonder th a t men trem bled a t his presence. 1 Sam. 16:4. Saul himself stood in awe of him. His influence consisted not in m ilitary ex ploits, nor diplomatic achievement nor political shrewdness, bu t in simple piety and unswerving integrity. A t th e close of his public life he challenged all Israel to point out a single instance where he had acted from a selfish or unworthy motive. 1 Sam. 12:1-5. W hat politi cian in modern times could make a sim ilar, appeal to his constituents? Samuel was th e first of th e long lin e of prophets which closes w ith th e Old Testament age. Acts 3:24; Heb. 11:32. Before Samuel’s time th e word of th e Lord was precious because rare. There was no open vision. W ith him began those direct revelations and communications from God which formed th e message of th e prophets. They were not spun as th e spider spins his web, out of the prophet’s im agination or in tu ition or genius. They came from God and were recognized as His voice. 1 Pet. 1:20-21; cf. Je r. 23:16. By means of the priest th e people drew near to God. By means of the prophet God drew near to the people. As Samuel was th e first of the prophets, he was th e last of the Judges, Acts 13:20. H is own act in making judges of his sons was not by Divine direction. I t is always a dangerous A WHEEL THAT BRINGS THE
(Deut. 2 8 :36 ). “The Lord shall bring thee, and thy king which thou sh alt set over thee, unto a nation which n either thou nor th y fath ers have know n; and th e re shall thou serve o ther gods, wood and stone.” PERTINENT QUESTIONS (1 ) Did P au l testify to his own faithfulness? (Acts 20 :33 ). (2) Was th is th e testim ony con cerning Jesus? (John 18 :38 ). (3) Did others testify, also, in be half of P aul? (Acts 2 3 :9 ). (4 ) On whom did Samuel call for wisdom? (Psa. 99 :6 ). (5) To whom should we give credit for m ighty works? (John 5 :1 7 ). ( 6 ) Is th e hand of God against evil men? (Rom. 2: 8 , 9). (7) Is chastening calculated to drive men to prayer? (Isa. 26 :10 ). ( 8 ) Is it wise to fear th e Lord? (Prov. 1 :7 ). (9) W hat resu lts from failu re to fear God’s commands? (Hos. 1 0 :3 ). Samuel was born in answer to a m other’s agonizing prayer. Therefore she named him Samuel, “ asked of God.” Hannah is one of the noblest women of th e Bible. H er song DEVOTIONAL of thanksgiving is like COMMENT th e Magnificat of Mary. P . W. P a rr Samuel was one of God’s g reatest saints. Ps. 99 :6 ; Jer. 15:1. He stood alone in the gap between Israel and Jehovah. God sought for such an one in th e time of Ezekiel (Ezek. 2 2 :3 0 ), and also at other times. Rev. 3 :16 ; Rom. 11:21-22. Samuel was a conspicuous example of faith, patience, integrity, self-sacrifice and most of all intercession. He was a man of prayer. He had the gift of intercession. It is most helpful to know where he learned it, w hat little fellowship he had in it, how he per sisted in it, the m ighty faith and power he had in it, and th e m anner and
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