Samuel continued as Israel’s leader all the days of his life. – 1 Samuel 7:15

Today’s Scripture Reading (February 21, 2019): 1 Samuel 7

George III ascended to the throne of the United Kingdom, Great Britain, and Ireland with the death of his grandfather on October 25, 1760. His father, Frederick the Prince of Wales, died nine years earlier from what was likely to have been a pulmonary embolism. At first, the reign of George III was welcomed by the nation. George himself proclaimed that he was "born and educated in this country, I glory in the name of Britain." The statement was a recognition that the people had begun to feel distanced from the throne which they claimed was increasingly more focused on Hanover and Germany than on the people of their glorious island. George III insisted that he was a product of Britain and not Hanover, even though he was a member of the house of Hanover.

But the long reign of George III was marred by struggle. On his accession to the throne, the United Kingdom was already in the middle of the Seven Years War, a war that enveloped Europe and a conflict that Britain emerged from as the world’s leading colonial power. Next, George III lost control of the United States in the American War of Independence. George himself was committed to never acknowledging the independence of the Americans.

Next came France’s overthrow of the monarchy and a war between Great Britain and Napoleon of France. But by late in 1810, fifty years after he had first become King, George was enjoying the height of his popularity. Over the fifty years, there had been many highs and lows. By this time George was almost blind because of cataracts in his eyes and in constant pain from rheumatism. And then everything fell apart. His favorite daughter, Princess Amelia, grew ill and died on November 2, 1810. And George never recovered. He would spend the last decade of his life permanently insane, a condition that was blamed on the stress of his life, and particularly due to the death of Amelia. George lived in seclusion at Windsor Castle until his death. George, the Prince of Wales and the future George IV of the United Kingdom, would discharge the duties of the king until George III’s death. A reign that had begun with promise ended in insanity, mourning, and disgrace.

The Judges of Israel were varied. Some judged Israel for a period of their lives, and then retired from their positions and went back to who they were before they answered the call of God. Some, like Samson, failed at the end of their lives. But Samuel served as a judge of Israel all the days of his life. This statement is significant when we consider the life of Samuel. To satisfy the people, Samuel made Saul the first official King over Israel. We might have thought that Saul would then have acted as the leader of Israel ending the need for a judge. At this point, Samuel could have stepped away from his responsibilities, or at the very least the King would discharge the duties of the Judge. The presence of a King ended the need for a Judge. But that was not God’s plan. When Saul failed both God and Israel, it was God’s Judge, Samuel, who pronounced the sentence on Saul and anointed David as Saul successor.

Samuel served faithfully as Judge until the day he died. God honored him well into the age of the Kings. And it was not until the day that Samuel died that the age of the Judges concluded. Samuel ended both his time as a Judge, and the age of Judges, well. He honored God to his very last breath, something that we should all hope to do.    

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading: 1 Samuel 8