Samuel in Semiretirement
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The relation between Samuel and Saul was one of peculiar tenderness.
Samuel loved Saul as his own son, while Saul, bold and ardent of temper, held the prophet in great reverence, and bestowed upon him the warmth of his affection and regard.
Thus the prophet of the living God, an old man whose mission was nearly finished, and the youthful king, whose work was before him, were bound together by the ties of friendship and respect. All through his perverse course, the king clung to the prophet as if he alone could save him from himself.” Samuel, at the direction of the Lord, separated himself from the king. Samuel’s work was not yet at an end, however.
New avenues of service opened for the servant of the Most High.
“Samuel’s life of purity and unselfish devotion was a perpetual rebuke both to self-serving priests and elders and to the proud, sensual congregation of Israel. . . . But the people had become weary of his piety and devotion; they despised his humble authority and rejected him for a man who should rule them as a king. “In the character of Samuel we see reflected the likeness of Christ. It was the purity of our Saviour’s life that provoked the wrath of Satan.” “How many retiring from a position of responsibility as a judge, can say in regard to their purity, which of you convinceth me of sin? Who can prove that I have turned aside from my righteousness to accept bribes? I have never stained my record as a man who does judgment and justice. Who today can say what Samuel said when he was taking leave of the people of Israel, because they were determined to have a king? . . . Brave, noble judge! But it is a sorrowful thing that a man of the strictest integrity should have to humble himself to make his own defense.” Israel now saw plainly what Samuel had foreseen in their request for a king.
They had received what they had asked for.
Samuel henceforth shunned public life and went into semiretirement at Ramah. He continued as a teacher in the schools of the prophets, which he enjoyed.
Age does not define usefulness in the Lord’s service.
