1 Samuel 7:4

Baalim and Ashtaroth. The Baals and Ashtoreths (see on Judges 2:11, 13).

Served the Lord only. Israel had been in bondage to the Philistines for 40 years during the days of Samson and Eli, and now after Eli’s death they halted between two opinions for another 20 years. The repentant people hardly knew what step to take next, so long had they been under the sway of idolatry. The ark was gone from the tabernacle, and the tabernacle service itself had been discontinued (see PP 609). There were no yearly festivals at which the worshipers might receive instruction. Practically a new generation had appeared since the ark was taken. The people of Israel were like sheep lost on the mountainside. They realized they were lost, but how to get back to the fold they knew not. In anticipation of the time when His people would wish to turn from their evil ways, God prepared a faithful undershepherd to hunt for the lost and bring them back home. As God had planned, in their anxiety Israel now turned to Samuel.

One of the greatest encouragements the Christian has is the assurance that God is never caught unprepared, whatever the circumstances may be. To Him who knows the end from the beginning there is neither haste nor delay. What would have happened to Israel at this time had there been no Samuel? What would have happened to Israel in Egypt had there been no Moses? How would Nebuchadnezzar have been instructed in the ways of God had there been no Daniel? Throughout history, whenever a crisis has arisen demanding action, a leader has been at hand, well trained for the task. This does not necessarily mean that the leader was always all that the Lord might desire. Many are called but few are chosen, because, like Samson, many refuse to heed the instructions God sends them. Jeremiah was certainly trained for a special work, and fulfilled his role well, yet Israel suffered fearfully because Jehoiakim, the king, refused to heed the counsel Jeremiah gave him. For both nations and individuals the great question in the day of judgment will be, “What could have been done more to my vineyard, that I have not done in it?” (Isa. 5:4).