YOUTH STS LESSON 202 SAMUEL REPROVES ISRAEL
TEXT: 1 Samuel 12:1–25
MEMORY VERSE:
“And Samuel said unto the people, Fear not: ye have done all this wickedness: yet turn not aside from following the LORD, but serve the LORD with all your heart” (1 Samuel 12:20).
The life of Samuel should challenge Christian youths of our time. This is because he was born into a godly home but grew among corrupt youths. He was not influenced or corrupted by evil association. In addition, he was a child consecrated to the Lord from childhood. He was personally committed to God and His service.
In this chapter, we see him asking Israel to assess his walk and work with them.
“Behold, here I am: witness against me before the LORD, and before his anointed: whose ox have I taken? Or whose ass have I taken? Or whom have I defrauded? Whom have I oppressed? Or of whose hand have I received any bribe to blind mine eyes therewith? And I will restore it you” (verse 3).
No one could accuse him of any misconduct. This should challenge youths today.
Question 1: How can Christian youths live like Samuel today?
Samuel was dedicated to the Lord from childhood. When he became mature, he did not rebel against his mother’s decision. He embraced it and remained faithful to the Lord. He also made up his mind to honour his parents and God. Therefore, he did not do anything that could bring reproach to himself, his family and God. He was also committed and dedicated to Eli.
Christian youths should endeavour to follow this example; live in the fear of God and take a personal decision to follow the Lord and not the multitude to do evil. Also, in our text, Samuel challenged the children of Israel to serve the Lord and not forsake Him.
Question 2: Mention some facts raised by Samuel at Gilgal.
One, he asked Israel to assess him. Personally, he was not pleased with their attitude in demanding for a king. God had been judging them righteously through him. Moreover, He has been their King from inception and led them faithfully.
Two, he relayed to them God’s past mighty acts. He reminded them of God’s deliverances when they were oppressed.
Three, he rebuke them of their foolish acts. His aim in doing this was to instil in them and their king the fear of God.
SAMUEL REQUESTS ISRAEL TO APPRAISE HIM
(1 Samuel 12:1–5; 1 Timothy 3:7; Acts 23:1; 1 Thessalonians 2:9,10; 2 Corinthians 13:5; Revelation 22:12)
After Samuel had anointed Saul king over Israel as the Lord commanded, he made some important points to them.
“Behold, here I am: witness against me before the Lord, and before his anointed: whose ox have I taken? Or whose ass have I taken? Or whom have I defrauded? Whom have I oppressed? Or of whose hand have I received any bribe to blind mine eyes therewith? And I will restore it you” (1 Samuel 12:3).
Samuel asked them if they had found fault in him during the course of his service.
As a youth leader or officer, can you demand for your assessment in your dealings with fellow believers? Can you do the same in your office, school and neighbourhood? Are you not found wanting in your relationship with opposite gender and handling people’s or church’s money?
No one could witness against Samuel.
“And they said, Thou hast not defrauded us, nor oppressed us, neither hast thou taken aught of any man’s hand” (verse 4).
God’s expectation from all believers in our dealings with one another and handling the things of the Lord is that we “must have a good report of them which are without” (1 Timothy 3:7).
Above the witness of man, Jesus is also a witness to all our acts. He watches over our actions and says, “…behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be” (Revelation 22:12).
Therefore, examine yourself today and do not delay to make amends if your walk and work is faulty.
SAMUEL REHEARSES GOD’S ACTS TO ISRAEL
(1 Samuel 12:6–15; Micah 6:1–5; Psalm 78:12–30; Deuteronomy 28:15; Acts 7:30–36)
“And Samuel said unto the people, It is the LORD that advanced Moses and Aaron, and that brought your fathers up out of the land of Egypt” (verse 6).
Samuel took Israel back to Egypt as he rehearsed to them God’s mighty works. He made known to them that God raised Moses and Aaron as instruments to deliver them from bondage. Indeed, He wrought wondrously through these men to make Himself known among all nations as the invisible mighty King.
Samuel wanted them to know that he did not choose himself as a priest and prophet of the Lord, but God chose him. As they rejected him, by implication, they rejected God from being their Leader.
Today, God is still the One who chooses leaders in His Church. No youth should reject or look down on any leader. They should pray for them. Also, Samuel reminded them of the past and present acts of God.
Question 3: Mention some deliverances God did for Israel.
“Now therefore stand still, that I may reason with you before the LORD of all the righteous acts of the LORD, which he did to you and to your fathers” (verse 7).
Beside Israel’s deliverance from Egypt, God delivered them from those who oppressed them several times. As they forsook Him and went into idolatry many times, the Philistines oppressed them. When they cried to Him, He “sent Jerubbaal, and Bedan, and Jephthah and Samuel, and delivered [them] out of the hand of [their] enemies on every side, and [they] dwelled safe” (verse 11).
However, as Nahash, king of Ammon rose against them, instead of calling and trusting God for deliverance, they demanded for a human king.
Question 4: What was the implication of Israel’s demand for a king?
“And the LORD said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them” (1 Samuel 8:7).
The implication of Israel’s request for a king was that they rejected God’s leadership over them. Whenever they had challenge from neighbouring nations, they would run to their king for deliverance instead of God – the mighty Man in battle.
Many believers do the same today. Whenever they have any challenge, they run to so-called men or women of God for prayer instead of seeking God’s help. These men and women have taken the place of God in their lives.
“Woe to them that go down to Egypt for help; and stay on horses, and trust in chariots, because they are many; and in horsemen, because they are very strong; but they look not unto the Holy One of Israel, neither seek the LORD” (Isaiah 31:1).
Samuel had a purpose for rehearsing these acts of God. He wanted Israel and their king to learn how to seek God in the day of trouble. He wanted them to know that man is limited in power, only through God would they have the needed victories. He also wanted them to know the nature of God. He emphasised that continuous obedience to His command guarantees God’s intervention (verses 14,15).
SAMUEL REBUKES ISRAEL FOR THEIR FOOLISH ACTS
(1 Samuel 12:16–25; Hebrews 12:5–11; Acts 7:49–54; Revelation 3:19)
“Now therefore stand and see this great thing, which the LORD will do before your eyes” (verse 16).
For them to realise the gravity of what they had done, Samuel called on God to make His displeasure known to them through a frightful incidence.
“So Samuel called unto the LORD; and the LORD sent thunder and rain that day: and all the people greatly feared the LORD and Samuel” (verse 18).
After God sent thunder and heavy rainfall that day, they came to Samuel to pray for God’s mercy and forgiveness.
Question 5: What was Samuel’s counsel to Israel after their commitment to obey God?
“And Samuel said unto the people, Fear not: ye have done all this wickedness: yet turn not aside from following the LORD, but serve the LORD with all your heart” (verse 20).
After repentance, there is need for continuity in obedience to God. Therefore, he admonished them not to turn aside from following Him. He warned them not to follow vain things that cannot profit or deliver them (verse 21). He made it known that once that was done, the Lord will not forsake them.
He made a commitment on his part to keep praying for them.
“Moreover as for me, God forbid that I should sin against the LORD in ceasing to pray for you: but I will teach you the good and the right way” (verse 23).
Question 6: Why is prayer necessary in our consistent walk with God?
Prayer is very essential in aiding us to walk consistently with God. It helps us to receive strength from Him for daily walk and grace needed to overcome the tempter. Prayer helps us to crucify the flesh, conquer the world and its allurements.
Christian youths are admonished to pray always (1 Thessalonians 5:17).
From the life of Samuel, we see the importance of leaders’ prayer for their followers. Youth leaders should never cease to pray for their youths. It is when we pray for them daily that Christ can be formed in them.
“My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you” (Galatians 4:19).
