College Press Bible Study Textbook Series
1 Samuel 12 - Introduction
A DIGEST OF CHAPTER 12
Samuel reviews his career. Although Samuel had many more years of service to give to his people, they had rejected him as being their most prominent leader. They had demanded and received a king. Samuel took advantage of an opportunity to rehearse his manner of life among them. It is a man of sterling character who can say, ... ye have not found ought in my hand (1 Samuel 12:5).
Israel's history reviewed. While Samuel was speaking to the people, he reminded them of their heritage. God had been with them throughout many thrilling experiences. In no case had they found God to be unfaithful to them. They had been unfaithful to God.
Samuel rebukes the people. God worked a wonder among the people that caused them to tremble. They realized that they had been ungrateful to God and to His chosen servant, Samuel. As they repented, they asked Samuel to pray for them; and the unswerving love of Samuel for his people prompted him to reply that he would without fail remember them in prayer.
LESSONS FOR LEARNING
1.
The blessing of good leaders. Debates rage over the question as to whether times make men or men make times. Great leaders are demanded in perilous times. Opportunities and occasions may bring out the best in great men. In this passage of scripture, however, the emphasis is laid on the true value of faultless leaders. Samuel was one of these, and his career had been a blessing to his people.
2.
The challenge of a rich heritage. People dare not rest on their laurels. To do so is to decay. They can take courage from what has been accomplished. Israel should have done this. God had amply demonstrated that He was with them. This fact should have encouraged them to remain faithful to God.
3.
The power of prayer. When the people asked Samuel to pray for them, Samuel replied that it would have been a sin against God for him to cease to pray for them. Regardless of their attitudes toward him, Samuel ever had the best interests of his people at heart. Nothing could cause him to stop praying for them. Good leaders of God's people must always be in prayer for God's blessings to be upon both people and their leaders (1 Timothy 2:2).
THE IDEAL PREACHER
I.
Blameless in character (1 Samuel 12:1-5)
A.
He speaks concretely of besetting sins
1.
He knows well the pitfalls
2.
He knows the misdeeds of his own ministerial sons, as well as those of Eli's boys
B.
He has not otherwise abused the powers
1.
He has never yielded to the lure of money
2.
He doesn-'t have to assure his friends that he has never stolen any man's wife, or dallied with any woman's affections
C.
He is free from the following:
1.
Ambition
2.
Greed
3.
Lust
II.
Gifted as a teacher (1 Samuel 12:6-18)
A.
The ideal preacher teaches all day
1.
Cherishes the ideal of a teaching
2.
Like Ezra, he set his heart to seek the law of the Lord, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and ordinances
B.
He wants these things for his hearers:
1.
To get every hearer right with God
2.
To lead everyone in doing the will of the Most High
C.
His sermon is a model
1.
He uses facts, facts, facts
2.
He makes clear what they mean
3.
He appeals to the head and to the heart
D.
He speaks with authorityThus saith the Lord ill. George Whitefield, upon being asked for a copy of the sermon that had made such an impact, said that he would upon one conditionthe hearer and inquirer must supply the lightning and thunder that had driven home the message of the hour.
III.
Mighty in prayer (1 Samuel 12:19-25)
A.
He was the son of a woman who prayed and the pupil of a man who interceded
1.
He relied chiefly on prayer
2.
He had also taught the most spiritual-minded of them to pray
3.
Many are fearful of the future, but not a true man of God
B.
In the hour of dread concern about the unknown morrow the eyes of those deluded mortals were opened
1.
They could see their sin
2.
They understood why their asking for a king made Samuel grieve
Conclusion
1.
A test of the minister's work is in seeing how many of them seek him out to ask for prayer
2.
The secret lies largely in learning to pray
3.
This is the ideal-blameless in character, gifted in teaching, mighty in prayer!
CHAPTER 12 IN REVIEW
1.
How many questions did Samuel ask the Israelites?
_____
2.
What color was Samuel's hair when he stood before them?
_____
3.
What two leaders did Samuel mention as leading Israel out of Egypt?
_____
4.
What is another name for Jerub-baal?
_____
5.
What is another name for Bedan?
_____
6.
The rise of what king had prompted Israel to ask for a king?
_____
7.
What three things was Israel to do in order to receive God's blessings?
_____
8.
What sign did Samuel call for to substantiate his word?
_____
9.
What time of year was it?
_____
10.
What did they ask Samuel to continue to do for them?
_____