JESUS CHRIST and HOLY SPIRIT in 1Samuel

JESUS CHRIST in 1Samuel

The similarities between Jesus and the boy Samuel are striking. Both were children of promise. Both were dedicated to God before birth. Both were the bridges of transition from one stage of the nation’s history to another. Samuel combined the offices of prophet and priest; Christ is Prophet, Priest, and King.

The tragic end of Saul illustrates the ultimate result of earthly kingdoms. The only hope is a kingdom of God on Earth, whose ruler is God Himself. In David, the earthly lineage of God’s King begins. In Christ, God comes as King and will come again as King of Kings.

David, the simple shepherd boy, prefigures Christ the Good Shepherd. Jesus becomes the ultimate Shepherd-King.

HOLY SPIRIT in 1Samuel

1 Samuel contains remarkable instances of the coming of the Holy Spirit upon the prophets, as well as upon Saul and his servants. In 10:6 the Holy Spirit comes upon Saul, who prophesies and is “turned into

another man,” that is, equipped by the Spirit to fulfill God’s calling. After David is anointed by Samuel, “the Spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward” (16:13).

The phenomenon of the Spirit inspiring worship occurs in chapter 10 and 19:20. This was not the emotionalized raving of the pagans, but true, Spirit-inspired worship and praise to God, not unlike what happened on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2).

Even in the several uses of the ephod and the Urim and Thummim we look forward to the time when the “Spirit of truth” will guide us into “all truth,” tell us of “things to come,” and “take of what is Mine [Jesus’] and declare it to you” (John 16:13, 14).