1 Samuel 2:35

I will raise up for myself a faithful priest, who will

do according to what is in my heart and mind. I
will firmly establish his priestly house, and they will
minister before my anointed one always.
Jeremiah 3:15
Then I will give you shepherds after my own
heart, who will lead you with knowledge and
understanding.
SAMUEL AS LEADER OF GOD’S PEOPLE
1. SAMUEL WAS ESTABLISHED BY GOD.

1 Samuel 3:19, 20: “So Samuel grew, and the LORD was
with him and let none of his words fall to the ground. And
all of Israel from Dan to Beersheba knew that Samuel had
been established as a prophet of the LORD.”

(God raised him up to deliver Israel from her enemies.)

1. SAMUEL WAS ESTABLISHED BY GOD.

God is the one who establish you in that particular spot for
a purpose (to lead).
2. SAMUEL WAS DEEPLY COMMITTED INTO PRAYER

(1 Samuel 7:8-9; 8:6; 12:19,23; 15:11)

They said to Samuel, “Do not stop crying out to the LORD our God for
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us, that he may rescue us from the hand of the Philistines.” 9 Then

Samuel took a suckling lamb and sacrificed it as a whole burnt offering
to the LORD. He cried out to the LORD on Israel’s behalf, and
the LORD answered him.
2. SAMUEL WAS DEEPLY COMMITTED INTO PRAYER

(1 Samuel 7:8-9; 8:6; 12:19,23; 15:11)

They said to Samuel, “Do not stop crying out to the LORD our God for us, that he may rescue us from
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the hand of the Philistines.” 9 Then Samuel took a suckling lamb and sacrificed it as a whole burnt
offering to the LORD. He cried out to the LORD on Israel’s behalf, and the LORD answered him.

And as Samuel was offering up the burnt offering, the Philistines

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drew near to battle against Israel: but the LORD thundered with a

great thunder on that day upon the Philistines, and discomfited
them; and they were smitten before Israel.
 2. SAMUEL WAS DEEPLY COMMITTED INTO PRAYER

1 Samuel 8:5-6 They said to him, “You are old, and

your sons do not follow your ways; now appoint a
king to lead[a] us, such as all the other nations have.”
But when they said, “Give us a king to lead us,” this
displeased Samuel; so he prayed to the LORD.
2. SAMUEL WAS DEEPLY COMMITTED INTO PRAYER

How many of us would turn to God and pray when

faced a difficult situation?
How many of us would turn to God and pray when we
are troubled?
How many of us would turn to God and pray when we
are displeased?
2. SAMUEL WAS DEEPLY COMMITTED INTO PRAYER

Samuel prayed for the people. (Good leaders pray for the
people they lead.)
1 Samuel 12:23 As for me, far be it from me that I should
sin against the Lord by failing to pray for you.
 WHY IS IT SO EASY TO NOT BE CONCERNED ABOUT OTHERS OR
THE PROBLEMS OF OTHERS?

There are many reasons:

People are unconcerned sometimes simply because of
indifference(apathy). It is easy to care only about ourselves and not
about others, especially when the problem doesn’t affect us.
People are unconcerned sometimes because they feel like they
cannot help. The problem is too big. We say to ourselves we cannot
do anything about it.
 WHY IS IT SO EASY TO NOT BE CONCERNED ABOUT OTHERS OR
THE PROBLEMS OF OTHERS?

There are many reasons:

 People are unconcerned sometimes because they fear responsibility. The
more we know; the more we are responsible for. Solomon said with
knowledge comes more pain (Ecc 1:18).
 People are unconcerned sometimes because they are too busy with other
things.
 People are unconcerned sometimes because they suffer from the “bystander
effect.” This means we say to ourselves that somebody else will take care of
it.
3. SAMUEL ENCOURAGED AND ADMONISHED (REBUKED) THE
PEOPLE TO FOLLOW GOD AND DO WHAT WAS RIGHT. 
“Do not be afraid,” Samuel replied. “You have done all this evil; yet do not
turn away from the LORD, but serve the LORD with all your heart. Do
not turn away after useless idols. They can do you no good, nor can they
rescue you, because they are useless. For the sake of his great
name the LORD will not reject his people, because the LORD was pleased to
make you his own. As for me, far be it from me that I should sin against
the LORD by failing to pray for you. And I will teach you the way that is
good and right. But be sure to fear the LORD and serve him faithfully with
all your heart; consider what great things he has done for you. Yet if you
persist in doing evil, both you and your king will perish.” (1Samuel 12: 20-
25)
 4. SAMUEL REMAINED FAITHFUL TO THE LORD DESPITE THE
DIFFICULTIES WHICH HE HAD TO FACE.

It must have crushed his heart when his own sons were not faithful
to the Lord (1 Samuel 8:1-3), but their lack of faithfulness did not
alter Samuel’s responsibilities or his commitment to the Lord.
The nation rejected the Lord as its king (8:6-10,19), but Samuel
remained unchanged. Saul, whom Samuel personally anointed and
helped, was disobedient and rejected God, yet Samuel continued to
walk with the Lord and uphold His word. All leaders face
disappointments and setbacks. Samuel certainly had his fair
share, but he stayed true to God.
 4. SAMUEL REMAINED FAITHFUL TO THE LORD DESPITE THE
DIFFICULTIES WHICH HE HAD TO FACE.
>>> Steward: (responsibility) A steward acts on behalf of an owner,
overseeing others and managing possessions. Stewards are accountable to the
owner.
Jesus taught this principle in Luke 12:42–48.
Samuel lived this truth as he confronted kings and peasants, as he wept over
the disobedience of Israel, and as he sought guidance for his nation. He
remained faithful to his calling, accountable to God, and responsible to people.

(1 Corinthians 15:58 –NLT- So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable.
Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is
ever useless).
 4. SAMUEL REMAINED FAITHFUL TO THE LORD DESPITE THE
DIFFICULTIES WHICH HE HAD TO FACE.

God’s leaders are always confronting impossible problems.

 Moses had to set Israel free from the slavery of Egypt; he had to cross the
Red Sea with the angry Egyptians following right behind him.
 Nehemiah was over 800 miles away from the problem. Israel was in ruins,
and the people were being harassed by their neighbors. He had an impossible
problem. However, he did not only confront it but also was successful.
 David had to face Goliath.
 Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD: The word of the LORD had not yet been
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revealed to him.
A third time the LORD called, “Samuel!” And Samuel got up and went to Eli and said,
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“Here I am; you called me.”

Then Eli realized that the LORD was calling the boy. 9 So Eli told Samuel, “Go and lie
down, and if he calls you, say, ‘Speak, LORD, for your servant is listening.’” So Samuel
went and lay down in his place.
The LORD came and stood there, calling as at the other times, “Samuel! Samuel!”
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Then Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant is listening.”

1 Samuel 2:35

I will raise up for myself a faithful priest, who will

do according to what is in my heart and mind. I
will firmly establish his priestly house, and they will
minister before my anointed one always.
Jeremiah 3:15
Then I will give you shepherds after my own
heart, who will lead you with knowledge and
understanding.