In 1 Samuel 4, we see the children of Israel doing the unthinkable, fighting the superior Philistines without God’s help. After a clear defeat, they decide to try again, but this time the Israelites take the Ark of the Covenant with them into battle. They refuse to ask the young prophet, Samuel, what they should do; instead, they lean on their own wisdom and thinking. Not only do they once again face a crushing defeat at the hands of the Philistines, but they also lose the Ark of the Covenant as well. Israel is in shambles, and a young Samuel is faced with the impossible responsibility of not only leading this defeated and demoralized nation but also revitalizing it. Has God left them? Will they ever get the Ark and His presence back? All hope seems lost to this frustrated leader and his stubborn people. Perhaps you, too, can resonate with Samuel as you seek to lead the people God has entrusted to you. 

God Gets Involved 

However, the unexpected happens in chapter 5. Without the children of Israel lifting so much as a finger, God uses a series of unusual items and improbable people to get His Ark back where it belongs. As a gift to their god, Dagon, the Ark was placed in Ashdod, the Philistines' most famous and powerful city. During the night, God causes this massive statue to fall prostrate before the Ark. Pretending it was an accident, the priests casually put it back in place. You can imagine their dismay the next day when they arrived; it had not only fallen prostrate once again, but its head and hands were cut off, symbolizing their god’s authority and power had been removed. God then sends emerods to the people, a devastating disease, and we learn in the next chapter that He most likely used mice to spread it. Finally, after three different metro areas deal with this disease, they beg for the lords of the Philistines to send the Ark back to Israel. 

Israel Sees the Sovereignty of God 

In chapter 6, after seven long months, the lords of the Philistines all agree. They instruct the people to make some golden images and to put them and the Ark on a new cart which was attached to two fresh cows who had just had young calves. These cows had never been harnessed, nor were they to be driven by a guide. The Philistines’ thinking was that if these two fresh cows, who had never been harnessed nor driven, were able to get to Israel on their own, it would be clearly evident that God had sent these plagues. We see they did just that, lowing all the way and stopping right across the border by a great stone in Beershemish. These five leaders of Philistia watched in unbelief as the Levites met the Ark and celebrated with a sacrifice of praise to God. 

The Stubbornness of Israel 

I am sure Samuel watched as God worked to turn the Philistines’ hearts to acknowledge the God of Israel through the submission of the statue of Dagon, emerods, mice, and yes, even the cows. Through all of these events, God did not force His own people to repent and turn back to Him. How often do we, like Samuel, wish God would make the people we have been called to lead turn their hearts to Him. However, we know He offers salvation to everyone (Titus 2:11) "For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men," yet He will not force anyone to come to Him. It is never easy leading people to God; it takes hard work, patience, and dedication. We will see in the rest of the story, God used Samuel’s leadership and influence to lead this demoralized, defeated, and depleted nation to once again experience victory and success. 

Notice with me three things that Samuel was willing to do to lead God’s people to victory. 

1. Samuel Was Willing to TILL the Hard Ground of Their Hearts 

1 Samuel 7:2 

And it came to pass, while the ark abode in Kirjathjearim, that the time was long; for it was twenty years: and all the house of Israel lamented after the Lord.

Growing up in a farmer’s household, I could often be found in a tractor for hours at a time ripping up the hard ground of my father’s popcorn fields. If we did not take the time to “work” the ground in the fall, the winter freezes would cause the ground to be almost impossible to get ready for the spring planting. It took hours of hard work and patience to prepare the soil to receive the seed. For twenty years the children of Israel lamented, constantly worrying about the Philistines. Would they come and decimate them once again? For twenty more years, Samuel would be frustrated. Why won’t they turn back to the Lord? I am sure he thought constantly, “You guys are ignorant fools!” Yet he patiently grew in his loving leadership and dedicated influence, faithfully serving and tilling the hard ground of their hearts. May we remain faithful to tilling (Galatians 6:9) "And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not." 

2. Samuel Was Willing to TELL the Hard Truth 

1 Samuel 7:3-4                                                                                                                                                                           And Samuel spake unto all the house of Israel, saying, If ye do return unto the Lord with all your hearts, then put away the strange gods and Ashtaroth from among you, and prepare your hearts unto the Lord, and serve him only: and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines. 4 Then the children of Israel did put away Baalim and Ashtaroth, and served the Lord only.

The time had come! Samuel’s patient love, listening, and leading had paid off. Can you imagine how excited he must have been? However, amidst his excitement, he faced two big obstacles. The repenting of the people included more than just a private asking for forgiveness but also a public demonstration of tearing down and destroying the idols. No doubt the Philistines would be watching this direct act of defying their gods, and it did not go unnoticed. The Philistines would use this as an excuse to punish the Israelites into submission once again. Samuel encourages these ill-equipped and unarmed people to "prepare their hearts.” It was going to take unbelievable courage and faith in the true God to do the impossible of defeating their superior foes. We too must be willing to tell the hard truth about a need for a Savior, the wiles and attacks of the devil, and the ability for victory in Christ. Salvation is a private decision, but when we tear down the idols in our life and openly pursue Christ, we will face the pushback of the world, the flesh, and the devil. It will not be easy, but victory is certain through Christ! May we through Christ have Ephesians 3:12 "boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him" as we lead. 

3. Samuel Was Willing to TAKE the Lead 

1 Samuel 7:4-13a                                                                                                                                                                      Then the children of Israel did put away Baalim and Ashtaroth, and served the Lord only. 5 And Samuel said, Gather all Israel to Mizpeh, and I will pray for you unto the Lord. 6 And they gathered together to Mizpeh, and drew water, and poured it out before the Lord, and fasted on that day, and said there, We have sinned against the Lord. And Samuel judged the children of Israel in Mizpeh. 7 And when the Philistines heard that the children of Israel were gathered together to Mizpeh, the lords of the Philistines went up against Israel. And when the children of Israel heard it, they were afraid of the Philistines. 8 And the children of Israel said to Samuel, Cease not to cry unto the Lord our God for us, that he will save us out of the hand of the Philistines. 9 And Samuel took a sucking lamb, and offered it for a burnt offering wholly unto the Lord: and Samuel cried unto the Lord for Israel; and the Lord heard him. 10 And as Samuel was offering up the burnt offering, the Philistines 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. 11 And the men of Israel went out of Mizpeh, and pursued the Philistines, and smote them, until they came under Bethcar. 12 Then Samuel took a stone, and set it between Mizpeh and Shen, and called the name of it Ebenezer, saying, Hitherto hath the Lord helped us. 13a So the Philistines were subdued...

Though difficult and at times seemingly ineffective, Samuel’s patient leading had paid off. Just like the statue of Dagon, a disease, mice, and cattle, the children of Israel had finally submitted to the presence and power of God in their lives. Though they experienced fear, they relied on God’s help and enjoyed sweet victory. Not only on that day, but much longer according to 13b "they came no more into the coast of Israel: and the hand of the Lord was against the Philistines all the days of Samuel." We too can lead our people to victory in their life through Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:57-58 "But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord."