(21) And Samuel heard all the words of the people, and he rehearsed them in the ears of the LORD. (22) And the LORD said to Samuel, Hearken unto their voice, and make them a king. And Samuel said unto the men of Israel, Go ye every man unto his city.
I beg the Reader to remark with me this striking feature in the character of Samuel; his constant intercourse and communion with God. Samuel was a child of prayer; for his mother called him Samuel, being asked of God what the word Samuel signifies; but Samuel was a man of prayer also. And why should not you and I? Did Enoch; did holy men of old walk with God? Had they clearer views of God the Father then than we have now? Did they know more of the gracious way to the throne than we? Oh! thou dearest Jesus! did thy servants of old know thee more by faith, before that thou hadst finished redemption-work, than thy people know thee now? Be pleased, dearest Lord, to quicken our souls to the more earnest, to the more frequent, drawing nigh to thee: and let these holy men of old shame our cold hearts, if thy love cannot warm them, to blush, that patriarchs and prophets should so far exceed thy disciples now, when we know that we have a throne of grace always open: a Father of mercies and of great consolation always to fly to, and one to trust in, whom the Father heareth alway, and who is the propitiation of his people!