Midweek Message from the Archive
Finding Jesus: Samuel
Here in America we aren’t familiar with a monarchy because we’re a republic. We’re not ruled by a king, but as Abraham Lincoln wrote: we are a government of the people, by the people, and for the people. We read in the books of Samuel that Israel was never a republic: they were ruled by God Himself.
In these two books we find Israel rejecting God as their King and desiring to be like other nations, yet God never rejected His original plan. Samuel was a prophet chosen to represent Him to Saul and David with First Samuel focusing on Saul and Second Samuel focusing on David with the eternal promise:
And your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before Me. Your throne shall be established forever. 2 Samuel 7:16 ESV
Who ever heard of an earthly king having someone on the throne forever yet Messiah, Jesus Christ, came from the line of David and will reign eternally. Finding Jesus in the books of Samuel is clear, in fact, Peter said this on the Day of Pentecost:
And all the prophets who have spoken, from Samuel and those who came after him, also proclaimed these days. Acts 3:24 ESV
Let’s look at David as a picture of Christ. He was a physical shepherd (lower story); Jesus was a spiritual shepherd (upper story). David was a warrior (lower story); Jesus is called a Man of War (Ex. 15:3 and Rev. 19:11), upper story. David was ‘man after God’s own heart’ (13:13-14); Jesus possessed God’s heart (John 17:21). David wanted to build God a temple but God had a higher plan: the temple, or His Presence, would be in his heart. As the story flows from Samuel through Saul, and his ultimate rejection by God, we arrive at the point where God’s sovereign plan was inaugurated through David.
As you read through the New Testament watch for Davidic references since they’re directing you to the promise of kingship through Jesus Christ. An angel told Mary:
He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to Him the throne of His father David, and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end. Luke 1:32, 33 ESV
The religious leaders of Jesus’ day were waiting for this One.
Now while the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them a question, saying, “What do you think about the Christ? Whose son is He?” They said to Him, “The son of David.” Matthew 22:41, 42 ESV
From the apostle John,
“I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you about these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.” Revelation 22:16 ESV
As you read through Samuel get used to the idea of royalty: as a believer, it’s your destiny.
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