Samuel was yet a boy when the ark was taken away from Shiloh. And after Eli’s sons, the priests, had been killed, and Eli had died, no one remained at the tabernacle to offer sacrifices on the altar of burnt offering every morning and evening. So Samuel went back to live again at his father’s house in Ramah, and by and by the tabernacle at Shiloh was no longer used.
During the years while Samuel was growing into manhood, the Israelites were being ruled by the Philistines. And everywhere they were mourning because the Lord seemed to have forsaken them entirely. They were thinking, too, of Samuel, the boy who used to help Eli, the high priest, at the tabernacle. They remembered how God used to talk to Samuel, and they believed some day this boy would find a way to help them out of their troubles.
As soon as Samuel became grown he began to visit the people in different parts of the land. He talked to them about God, and told them that if they wished to be delivered from the rule of the Philistines, first of all they must forsake their idols, tear them down, and begin to serve God with their whole hearts.
What a cleaning-up time followed! Everywhere the people tore down the idols of Baal and Ashtaroth, the gods of the heathen before which they had often bowed down. And everywhere they began to call upon God to help them. They were much in earnest; and Samuel was well pleased to see them do these things. Then he sent word to the people to come together in a great meeting at a place called Mizpeh, and there he would pray for them.
While the meeting was being held at Mizpeh, the Philistines heard that the Israelites had come together at that place. They supposed the Israelites were preparing to fight against them, and they sent word quickly to their bravest soldiers to come at once. Then they marched toward Mizpeh to fight with Israel.
But the Israelites had brought no weapons to fight with. They had come to weep and confess, their sins before God. They had not thought about fighting against their enemies at this time. And now, when they saw the Philistines coming over the hills in line for a battle, they trembled. What could they do? They begged Samuel to pray for them in this great need. They knew God could help when they were helpless to defend themselves. And Samuel took a lamb and offered it as a burnt sacrifice to God, and prayed earnestly for help. And his prayer was heard.
The Philistines did not get near enough to the helpless Israelites to use their swords and spears, for God sent a terrible thunder-storm, and so frightened them away. They dropped their weapons and ran in every direction, trying to find shelter from the storm. While they were seeking places to hide, the men of Israel ran out and picked up their weapons and chased them. They killed many, and drove the others back to their own land.
This was a great victory for the Israelites; and Samuel rejoiced with them. He set up a stone pillar on the battle-field and called it Ebenezer, which means, “The Stone of Help,” because God had so wonderfully helped them.
The Philistines did not return again into the land of Israel during the years that Samuel lived and judged the people. They even restored the cities which they had taken; away from the Israelites.
Samuel was the last of the fifteen judges who ruled the people of Israel. He made his home at Ramah, and built an altar at that place. But often he went to other parts of the land to talk with the people about the Lord. When he grew too old to travel about so much, his two sons helped him judge the Israelites. They were not kind to the people as their father had always been. They would decide matters of dispute in favor of the persons who gave them money. And soon the people became dissatisfied with these money-loving rulers.
For a long time some of the Israelites had wished to have a king rule over them, as their neighbors were ruled. And now they decided to tell Samuel what they wanted. So they sent their messengers to talk with Samuel at his home and tell him how greatly they desired a king.
Samuel was much displeased when he heard the request of the people. He had tried always to rule them as he believed would please the Lord, and now they were dissatisfied with his work. He told the Lord about the request of the people, and asked what he should do. And God said, “Let them have a king. They are not forsaking you when they ask for a king, but they are forsaking me. Now give them what they desire. Only warn them first of the sorrows that will come to them when a king is their ruler.”
Samuel told the people the words of the Lord. And he warned them carefully of the troubles that would come when a king should rule over them. Still they said, “We want a king.” And Samuel said, “Return to your homes, for God will give what you have asked.”