First Sunday After Christmas / Holy Family
Lectionary Preaching Workbook
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONS
Lesson 1: 1 Samuel 2:18-20, 26 (C)
Bernhard Anderson points out that (Samuel's) career marked
the transition from the old type of charismatic leadership to the
new prophetic leadership which, from this time on, played an
outstanding role in Israel's life. He described Samuel as "the
greatest spiritual leader of Israel since the time of Moses."
Samuel considered Saul to be the best hope the people had of
being saved from the Philistines. So Samuel secretly anointed
Saul as "prince" over the people.