Samuel, a pivotal figure in the history of Israel, exemplifies a life marked by thankfulness to God. As a prophet, judge, and leader, Samuel's relationship with God is characterized by gratitude, which is evident in his actions and prayers throughout the biblical narrative.

Birth and Dedication:

Samuel's life begins with a profound act of thankfulness. His mother, Hannah, was barren and prayed earnestly for a child, promising to dedicate him to the Lord's service. When God answered her prayer, Hannah expressed her gratitude by naming her son Samuel, meaning "heard by God," and by fulfilling her vow to dedicate him to the Lord. In 1 Samuel 1:27-28 , Hannah declares, "I prayed for this boy, and since the LORD has granted me what I asked of Him, I now dedicate the boy to the LORD. For as long as he lives, he is dedicated to the LORD." This act of dedication is a testament to her thankfulness and sets the stage for Samuel's life of service.

Service and Leadership:

Samuel's life as a servant of God is marked by continual thankfulness, demonstrated through his obedience and leadership. As a judge and prophet, Samuel consistently sought God's guidance and expressed gratitude through his actions. His leadership during a time of transition for Israel—from the period of the judges to the establishment of the monarchy—was rooted in a deep sense of thankfulness for God's direction and provision.

Intercession and Sacrifice:

Samuel's thankfulness is also evident in his role as an intercessor for the people of Israel. In 1 Samuel 7, when the Israelites faced the threat of the Philistines, Samuel called upon the Lord for deliverance. After God granted victory, Samuel set up a stone and named it Ebenezer, saying, "Thus far the LORD has helped us" (1 Samuel 7:12). This act of setting up a memorial stone was an expression of gratitude, acknowledging God's faithfulness and help.

Prayer and Worship:

Throughout his life, Samuel maintained a posture of thankfulness through prayer and worship. His dedication to prayer is evident in his interactions with God, where he consistently sought divine guidance and expressed gratitude for God's continued presence and support. Samuel's life of prayer underscores the importance of thankfulness as a foundational aspect of his relationship with God.

Legacy of Thankfulness:

Samuel's legacy is one of unwavering thankfulness to God, which is reflected in his faithful service and leadership. His life serves as an example of how gratitude to God can shape one's actions and influence a nation. Samuel's thankfulness is not only a personal attribute but also a guiding principle that impacted the spiritual direction of Israel during a critical period in its history.1 Samuel 7:12
Then Samuel took a stone, and set it between Mizpeh and Shen, and called the name of it Ebenezer, saying, Till now has the LORD helped us.
Nave's Topical Index

The King.
... 2 Samuel 7. The same thankfulness which glows so brightly in the psalm stimulated
that desire, and the emphatic reference to the mercy promised by God to "his ...
//christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/the life of david/ix the king.htm

Effectual Calling
... priest and a judge in Israel; 1 Samuel 3:3 ... How should the vessels of mercy run over
with thankfulness! ... they stand upon Mount Gerizim, blessing and praising God! ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a body of divinity/2 effectual calling.htm

The Wail of a Broken Heart
... would God I had died for thee, O Absalom, my son, my son!"2 Samuel 18:18-33. ... The
king has neither praise and thankfulness to God nor to man. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/the wail of a broken.htm

The Providence of God
... Saul had the victory, but God wrought the salvation. 1 Samuel 11:13. ... (5.)
Let the merciful providence of God cause thankfulness. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a body of divinity/14 the providence of god.htm

David's Gratitude
... previous promise, perhaps that through Samuel, is referred ... over Israel's confirmation
as God's people by ... True thankfulness regards personal blessings in their ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/davids gratitude.htm

David's Hymn of victory
... Two editions of the hymn are preserved for us,"in Psalm 18.and 2 Samuel. ... These are
wholly God's work. True thankfulness delights to repeat its acknowledgments ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/davids hymn of victory.htm

The Dying King's Last vision and Psalm
... The aged king looks back with adoring thankfulness to his early ... had been made by
the grace of God, in that he ... and anointed as ruler, not only by Samuel and the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/the dying kings last vision.htm

American Congregational Creeds.
... with much gladness of heart, and thankfulness to God ... the old doxology, 'To God the
Father, God the Son ... Dr. Samuel Worcester (Fitchburg, 1798) and Dr. ED Griffin ...
/.../ 103 american congregational creeds.htm

The Lord of Hosts, the God of Jacob
... in the beginning of the first Book of Samuel; and it re ... deliverances which will thrill
your heart with thankfulness, and turn ... 'A safe stronghold our God is still ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture j/the lord of hosts the.htm

First, the Practical Duties which the Christian Religion Enjoins,
... a pitch of cheerful and generous obedience to the laws of God, and taught ... and
superstitious for men frequently to commemorate, with all thankfulness, the love ...
/.../x proposition x first the.htm

What does the Bible say about thankfulness/gratitude? | GotQuestions.org

Why doesn't the Lord's Prayer include thanksgiving? shouldn't all our prayers include expressions of thankfulness? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say about ingratitude/unthankfulness? | GotQuestions.org

Thankfulness: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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