Before Samuel: When Everyone Did What Was Right in Their Own Eyes

What happens when everyone decides for themselves what is right?

Before Samuel ever became one of Israel’s great spiritual leaders, he was born into a nation in deep trouble.

Israel had been given a land, a calling, and clear direction from God. But over time, the people failed to follow through on what God had commanded. They tolerated the enemies around them, compromised spiritually, abandoned accountability, and increasingly lived according to their own judgment.

The book of Judges summarizes the condition of the nation with one striking statement:

“Everyone did what was right in his own eyes.” — Judges 21:25

This sermon sets the stage for our study of the life of Samuel by examining the spiritual, cultural, and leadership crisis into which he was born.

It is a sobering story—but also an important one for us today.

The World Samuel Was Born Into

The problems facing Israel did not happen by accident.

The nation was living with the consequences of years of compromise and disobedience. God had given His people clear direction, but they had repeatedly chosen easier paths, tolerated influences that opposed Him, and failed to fully trust His promises.

As those decisions accumulated, Israel became increasingly restricted, divided, spiritually confused, and vulnerable to the enemies around them.

The same principle still matters.

When we allow bitterness, unforgiveness, greed, pride, spiritual compromise, or other destructive patterns to remain unchallenged in our lives, they rarely stay contained. Over time, they begin to restrict the joy, peace, freedom, and spiritual maturity God desires for us.

When There Is No Godly Direction

One of the repeated statements in Judges is that “there was no king in Israel.”

This was more than a political observation.

It described a deeper leadership vacuum.

There was no unifying spiritual vision. No common direction. No consistent accountability. Everyone increasingly did what seemed right to them personally.

Without clear godly leadership, Israel lost:

• Shared vision
• Spiritual accountability
• Cooperation
• Biblical direction
• A common understanding of truth
• A willingness to place God’s purposes above personal convenience

The result was a spiritual free-for-all.

The people were still religious. They still used the name of the Lord. But increasingly, they reshaped faith according to their own preferences.

The Story of Micah and the Danites

Judges 17–18 gives one of the clearest examples of what happens when people begin creating spirituality on their own terms.

Micah steals from his mother.

His mother dedicates silver to the Lord—and then uses it to create an idol.

Micah creates his own household shrine.

He appoints his own son as a priest.

Later, he hires a Levite to become his personal priest.

Then the tribe of Dan encounters this homemade religious system, steals the idols, takes the priest with them, destroys another community, and establishes their own center of worship.

The entire story is intentionally disturbing.

How could God’s people reach this point?

The writer of Judges gives us the answer again and again:

There was no king in Israel, and everyone did what was right in his own eyes.

They were not rejecting spirituality.

They were redefining it.

Making Faith Up as We Go

That danger is not limited to ancient Israel.

It is possible to combine pieces of biblical teaching, cultural values, personal preference, popular spirituality, and whatever seems reasonable at the moment—and still call the result faith.

But biblical Christianity is not something we invent.

God has revealed Himself.

He has given His Word.

He has established truth.

And He has called His people to live under His authority rather than reshaping His commands around our preferences.

This sermon challenges us to ask an important question:

Are we allowing God to define what is true and right, or are we simply doing what seems right in our own eyes?

The Importance of Godly Leadership

Israel’s crisis was also a leadership crisis.

Homes lacked spiritual direction.

Religious leaders lacked integrity and accountability.

Communities lacked unity.

The nation lacked a clear spiritual voice calling the people back to God.

The New Testament shows that God has not left His church without leadership. He has given pastors, teachers, and other spiritual leaders to equip believers, help the church grow in maturity, and protect God’s people from being “tossed to and fro” by every new idea or teaching.

Biblical leadership is not about power or control.

It is about faithful direction, accountability, service, maturity, and helping God’s people grow in their knowledge of Christ.

A Nation Ready for Change

By the end of Judges, Israel desperately needed spiritual renewal.

But the story of Samuel does not begin with a king.

It does not begin with a military leader.

It does not even begin with Samuel.

It begins with a woman named Hannah.

In the middle of national spiritual confusion, God begins to work through the prayer and faithfulness of an otherwise ordinary woman.

Samuel would eventually become a prophet, judge, and spiritual leader who would help guide Israel through one of the most important transitions in its history.

But before we can understand Samuel’s calling, we need to understand the world that desperately needed him.

This sermon provides that foundation.

Key Takeaways

As you watch or revisit this message, consider these truths:

• Spiritual decline is often the result of accumulated choices, not sudden collapse.
• Compromise eventually restricts the freedom and blessing God desires for His people.
• Personal sincerity is not the same as biblical truth.
• A society, church, or family without godly leadership will eventually drift.
• Spiritual accountability and biblical direction are gifts, not burdens.
• God’s people are called to follow His Word rather than simply doing what seems right.
• God often begins renewal in unexpected places and through unexpected people.

Scripture References

Primary Passages

• Judges 17–18
• Judges 21:25

Supporting References

• Judges 17:6
• Judges 19:1
• Proverbs 29:18
• Ephesians 6:12
• Ephesians 4:11–14
• 2 Timothy 4:3–4

Looking Ahead

• 1 Samuel 1

Watch the Sermon

Watch Before Samuel: When Everyone Did What Was Right in Their Own Eyes to understand the spiritual and cultural setting of Samuel’s life and why his ministry became so important to the nation of Israel.

Whether you heard the message on Sunday and want to revisit it, missed the sermon and want to catch up, or are exploring the teaching ministry of Spicewood Baptist Church for the first time, this message provides an important introduction to the story of Samuel and a timely reminder of our need for biblical truth, godly leadership, and spiritual accountability.

Join Us at Spicewood Baptist Church

If you are looking for a Bible-teaching church in Spicewood or the surrounding Texas Hill Country, we would love to welcome you.

At Spicewood Baptist Church, our desire is to know and make Him known. We gather to worship Jesus Christ, study God’s Word, grow together as believers, care for one another, and share the good news of the gospel with our community and beyond.

Sunday Bible Study: 9:30 AM
Sunday Worship: 11:00 AM

Come join us as we continue our study of Samuel and discover how God works through ordinary people who are willing to trust Him, follow His Word, and live for His purposes.