Samuel The Prophet And The Lord Jesus Christ
Feature 1 – June 2025 – Grace & Truth Magazine
Samuel The Prophet And The Lord Jesus Christ
Prophet And Priest
Samuel was not only a prophet, but he was also the last judge (1 Sam. 7:15-17). He was a priest too: “Samuel ministered before the L ORD … wearing a linen ephod” (2:18). He was not a king, but he was used of God to anoint the first two kings of Israel: Saul and David.
The Lord Jesus is Prophet, Priest and King. Moses said concerning Him “the LORD your God will raise up for you a Prophet … Him you shall hear” (Dt. 18:15). When He came into the world it was said of Him, “This is truly the Prophet who is to come into the world” (Jn. 6:14). “Truly this is the Prophet” (7:40).
He is “the Apostle and High Priest of our confession” (Heb. 3:1). “We have such a High Priest, who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens” (8:1). He was “born King of the Jews” (Mt. 2:2). He is not only the King of the Jews, but He is “KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS” (Rev. 19:16).
A Nazirite
Samuel was also a Nazirite. His mother, Hannah, said she would, “give him to the LORD all the days of his life, and no razor shall come upon his head” (1 Sam. 1:11). A Nazirite was one who was separated “to the LORD … all the days of his separation he shall be holy to the LORD” (Num. 6:2,8).
The Lord Jesus is “holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and has become higher than the heavens” (Heb. 7:26). He is the man who walked “not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor [stood] in the path of sinners” (Ps. 1:1). The perfect example of the separated man is the Lord Jesus.
As Christians we are called to separate ourselves from evil and unto the Lord. “Come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord” (2 Cor. 6:17).
A Man Of Prayer
Samuel was a man of prayer. “Samuel cried out to the Lord for Israel, and the Lord answered him” (1 Sam. 7:9). “Samuel prayed to the Lord” (8:6). He said, “as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD in ceasing to pray for you” (12:23).
The Lord Jesus was the perfect dependent Man. As such we love to read of Him praying in Luke’s gospel. “While He prayed, the heaven was opened” (Lk. 3:21). “He Himself often withdrew into the wilderness and prayed” (5:16). “He went out to the mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God” (6:12). “He was alone praying” (9:18). “He took Peter, John, and James and went up to the mountain to pray” (v.28). “He was praying in a certain place” (11:1). “He knelt down and prayed” (22:41).
How is your prayer life? We are told that the early Christians “continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers” (Acts 2:42). We must “pray without ceasing” (1 Th. 5:17). Let us “continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving” (Col. 4:2).
Samuel’s mother was a woman of prayer. She “called his name Samuel, saying, ‘Because I have asked for him from the LORD’” (1 Sam. 1:20). Let us “be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let [our] requests be made known to God” (Phil. 4:6).
Samuel was an intercessor for the people of God. Twice his name is associated with Moses, who also interceded for God’s people (Ps. 99:6; Jer. 15:1).
The Lord Jesus is our great intercessor. He “has an unchangeable priesthood. Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them” (Heb. 7:24-25). He is “at the right hand of God who also makes intercession for us” (Rom. 8:34). Before “He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high” (Heb. 1:3), He prayed for us: “I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their [the disciples’] word” (Jn. 17:20).
As Christians we, too, must intercede for others. The apostle Paul said to Timothy, “Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men … for this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior” (1 Tim. 2:1,3).
A Judge
Samuel was a judge. “Samuel judged Israel all the days of his life” (1 Sam. 7:15).
The Lord Jesus is not a judge, He is the Judge. He is the “Judge of all the earth” (Gen. 18:25). All judgment is committed to Him because He is the Son of Man. He is “the righteous judge” (2 Tim. 4:8). God “has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead” (Acts 17:31).
The Lord Jesus will associate us with Himself, not only in reigning but also in judgment. Such is the dignity that will be ours. “Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world will be judged by you, are you unworthy to judge the smallest matters? Do you not know that we shall judge angels?” (1 Cor. 6:2-3).
Personal Encouragement
As a child, Samuel started to serve the LORD. He “ministered before the LORD, even as a child, wearing a linen ephod” (1 Sam. 2:18). He “grew in stature, and was in favor both with the LORD and men” (v.26). It is said of the Lord Jesus that “the Child grew and became strong in spirit, filled with wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him” (Lk. 2:40).
How is your spiritual growth? Peter told us, “as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby” (1 Pet. 2:2). We are to “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen” (2 Pet. 3:18).
By Paul Palmer, Sr.