And all Israel from Dan to Beersheba recognized that Samuel was attested as a prophet of the LORD. – 1 Samuel 3:20

Today's Scripture Reading (March 28, 2022): 1 Samuel 3

Best25.net lists Mahatma Gandhi as the best leader of all time. Gandhi tops the list that includes Jesus Christ (at number 3) and Muhammad (at number 5). The site lists Gandhi as its top leader because of his pioneering efforts to promote peaceful resistance and revolution. And it was because of Gandhi's leadership that India was able to gain its independence from the British Empire peacefully.

But Gandhi was not universally loved. One of Gandhi's dividing decisions included a move toward religious tolerance. Gandhi believed that the religions in India should be able to co-exist with each other peacefully. The move was specifically aimed at the growing conflict between the Indian Hindus and Muslims. But the action caused some of the more radical Hindus to revolt and challenge Gandhi's leadership.

On January 30, 1948, at 5:17 pm, Nathuram Godse, a radical Hindu nationalist, fired three bullets into the chest of Mahatma Gandhi. Godse did not attempt to flee from Indian officials. At his trial, Godse stated that he had killed Gandhi because of his complacency toward Muslims, holding Gandhi responsible for the increasing violence occurring on the sub-continent. Godse was executed by hanging for the murder of Gandhi on November 15, 1949. But as recently as 2019, there has been a movement in India to restore Godse's good name and market him as a hero by some Hindus.

Samuel rose from obscure beginnings to be recognized by all of Israel, reflected in the phrase "from Dan (in the north) to Beersheba (in the south) " as a prophet. Israel had had few prophets since the days of Moses, and none that rose to reflect the greatness of Moses until Samuel. We are told that all of Israel respected the prophet who emerged from the corruption that had characterized the reign of Eli as the high priest. That respect would be necessary if Samuel were to accomplish the radical change in the nation for which God had chosen him.

The reign of Samuel was important. He simultaneously occupied both the offices of Judge and Prophet. And because he had the respect of the nation, he was able to bridge the gap between the era of the Judges and the emerging monarchy. Samuel himself anointed the first two kings of Israel, Saul, and David, a feat that he could not have accomplished if he had not had the support of the people. He was the last of the Judges and the first of a list of great prophets that included Nathan during the days of David, Elijah (c. 900 – 849 B.C.E.) in the Northern Kingdom of Israel, and Isaiah (7^th Century B.C.E.) in the Southern Kingdom of Judah). And none of this would have been possible without the respect that all of the people held for Samuel, making him one of the greatest leaders this world has ever known.

Tomorrow's Scripture Reading: 1 Samuel 4