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return was to Ramah; for there was his house; and there he judged Israel; and there he
built an altar unto the Lord" (I Sam. 7: 15-17).
For probably another 20 years Samuel judged Israel, dealing with the more complex
cases of the law that baffled the local magistrates; having the final say in all the
important affairs of state both internal and external. Shiloh having been destroyed during
the war with the Philistines, he now lived in Ramah, his home town where his mother and
father, Hannah and Elkanah, had lived and died. There he built an altar, as was the
custom of the patriarchs, there being no formal seat of worship and no high priest of
Israel until the end of his days, a position that was unique unless we are mistaken in the
Scriptures. He was therefore a true type of the One Who is to come as Prophet, Priest
and Judge, and Who alone can hold those titles.
No.10.
8: 1 - 7.
pp. 216 - 219
Bethel, Gilgal, and Mizpeh, were all cities of holy memory to the children of Israel,
where events had taken place that stirred the hearts of the nation. Bethel would always
be associated with Jacob and his vision of Jehovah, and later the place where his name
was changed from Jacob (supplanter) to Israel (prince with God). Gilgal was near
Jericho on the river Jordan, where the nation spent their first night after crossing the river
on their entry into the promised land under the leadership of Joshua. Twelve stones had
been laid there in commemoration of that historic occasion. Mizpeh would be
remembered for their recent triumph over the Philistines, given them by the mighty arm
of the Lord. These three places were all in the southern half of the country and pilgrims
from all over Israel would crowd there at different times of the year, so Samuel would be
able to mingle with vast numbers of the people from all over the land.
"And it came to pass, when Samuel was old, that he made his sons judges over Israel.
Now the name of his firstborn was Joel; and the name of his second, Abiah: they were
judges in Beersheba" (I Sam. 8: 1, 2).
These were splendid names, for Joel signifies "Jehovah is God", and Abiah "Jehovah
a Father". In I Chron. 6: 28 we read that the sons of Samuel were Vashni, the firstborn,
and Abiah; so evidently the eldest son had two names. Vashni incidently means
"Jehovah is strong".
"And his sons walked not in his ways, but turned aside after lucre, and took bribes,
and perverted judgment" (8: 3).
The glorious traditions of Samuel were quickly forgotten by these unworthy sons of
Samuel. It is probable that when old age was beginning to enfeeble his strength, many of
his duties devolved upon his sons. Their infamous conduct must have grieved him
sorely. It would appear that he had had good hopes of their proving worthy of
responsible positions in Israel, for they were made his deputies in Beersheba. This city