1 Samuel 1:20-24
Wherefore it came to pass, when the time was come about after Hannah had conceived, that she bore a son, and called — his name Samuel, saying, Because I have asked him of the Lord.
And the man Elkanah, and all his house, went up to offer unto the Lord — the yearly sacrifice, and — his vow.
But Hannah went not up; for she said unto her husband, I will not go up until the child be weaned, and then I will bring him, that he may appear — before the Lord, and there abide forever.
And Elkanah her husband said unto her, Do what seemeth thee good; tarry until thou have weaned — him; only the Lord establish — his word. So the woman abode, and gave her son suck until she weaned — him.
And when she had weaned him, she took him up with her, with three bullocks, and one ephah of flour, and a bottle of wine, and brought him unto the house of the Lord in Shiloh: and the child was young.
And the man Elkanah, and all his house, went up to offer unto the Lord — the yearly sacrifice, and — his vow.
But Hannah went not up; for she said unto her husband, I will not go up until the child be weaned, and then I will bring him, that he may appear — before the Lord, and there abide forever.
And Elkanah her husband said unto her, Do what seemeth thee good; tarry until thou have weaned — him; only the Lord establish — his word. So the woman abode, and gave her son suck until she weaned — him.
And when she had weaned him, she took him up with her, with three bullocks, and one ephah of flour, and a bottle of wine, and brought him unto the house of the Lord in Shiloh: and the child was young.
The weaning of a Hebrew child was much different than today. Hannah probably continued to nurse Samson until he was close to 4 years of age. It was a long process and I’m sure a very intimate time between mother and son. I often wonder what Hannah said to Samson. I know she repeated the story of his birth to him, so Samuel knew that even before he was conceived God was mindful of him. How did that knowledge impact his life? For truly as he matured he became a pillar of faith for the nation of Israel. Hannah also must have told him the stories of Moses, how God used one man to deliver Israel from the bondage of the Egyptians. The miracles that God did through Moses must have intrigued him as a young child and the battles won through Joshua’s leadership, though the armies they fought were much larger because he trusted in God. These stories must have cemented in his mind the importance of trusting God, regardless of the circumstances.
I’m sure she filled his heart and mind with these stories so from his young age he was being taught to know a God that knew no limits and could not be defeated; that He only needed one man to trust Him. And through that one man He could change the coarse of history. Hannah also realized that she had few precious years to impact her son and then he was going to be raised by the High Priest who completely failed at raising his own sons. It is difficult for me to tell by the language of “boy” or “young” to determine Samuels actual age when Hannah brought him to the temple. My guess based on the context would be shortly after he was weaned so maybe between four to six years of age. The definition of the word young does indicates a child, but of an age capable to assist.
1 Samuel 1:26-28
And she said, Oh my lord, ( speaking to Eli) as thy soul liveth, my lord, I am the woman that stood by thee here, praying unto the Lord.
For this child I prayed; and the Lord hath given me — my petition which I asked of him:
Therefore also I have lent him to the Lord; as long as he liveth he shall be lent to the Lord. And he ( Eli?) worshiped the Lord there.
We also know by the story that Phinehas and Hophni, Eli’s sons, were worthless and deserved judgement which Eli the High Priest would not do. He valued his corrupt sons more than the holiness of The Lord. So this very dysfunctional environment was to be Samuel’s new home. Not what any of us would want for our child.
1 Samuel 2:17
Wherefore the sin of the young men was very great — before the Lord: for men abhorred — the offering of the Lord.
1 Samuel 2:22-26
Now Eli was very old, and heard — all that his sons did unto all Israel; and — how they lay with the women that assembled at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.
And he said unto them, Why do ye such things? for I hear of — your evil dealings by all this people.
Nay, my sons; for it is no good report that I hear: ye make the Lord’s people to transgress.
If one man sin against another, the judge shall judge him: but if a man sin against the Lord, who shall entreat for him? Notwithstanding they hearkened not unto the voice of their father, because the Lord would slay them.
And he said unto them, Why do ye such things? for I hear of — your evil dealings by all this people.
Nay, my sons; for it is no good report that I hear: ye make the Lord’s people to transgress.
If one man sin against another, the judge shall judge him: but if a man sin against the Lord, who shall entreat for him? Notwithstanding they hearkened not unto the voice of their father, because the Lord would slay them.
In the text it appears that Eli is trying to correct his son’s. However in the following verses, not man but God, directly exposes Eli’s failure as a father and hence the consequences for his failures are severe and irreversible.
1 Samuel 2:27-29
And there came a man of God unto Eli, and said unto him, Thus saith the Lord, Did I plainly appear unto the house of thy father, when they were in Egypt in Pharaoh’s house?
And did I choose — him out of all the tribes of Israel to be my priest, to offer upon mine altar, to burn incense, to wear an ephod before me? and did I give unto the house of thy father — all the offerings made by fire of the children of Israel?
Wherefore kick ye at my sacrifice and at mine offering, which I have commanded in my habitation; and honorest — thy sons above me, to make yourselves fat with the chiefest of all the offerings of Israel my people? (*ephod – part of the high priest sacred articles that contained 12 gemstones representing each tribe of Israel worn over the robe of the ephod. Exodus 28:31-36)
When we start losing the fear of the Lord, we start down a slippery slope that will not end up well. Unfortunately the failure of our leadership will affect others, ones that we love. And though they are not responsible for our failure, our failure will create a void in them that will create actions from them that will have negative consequences. The charge that each husband/ father has from God is a serious charge.
Ephesians 6:4
And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord ( nurture with admonition is the complete spectrum of raising a child, from discipline to praise with the overarching premise “in the Lord,” so that the child grows knowing and loving the Lord ( I know physical discipline, a spanking, has mixed opinions however the scriptures advocates spanking for behavior that is defiant. Proverbs 13:2 He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him quickly.)
And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord ( nurture with admonition is the complete spectrum of raising a child, from discipline to praise with the overarching premise “in the Lord,” so that the child grows knowing and loving the Lord ( I know physical discipline, a spanking, has mixed opinions however the scriptures advocates spanking for behavior that is defiant. Proverbs 13:2 He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him quickly.)
Unfortunately many men do not take God’s charge seriously, and hence the problems we have – which are manifold. From our young people growing up without reverence for the Lord( which is the root problem), to our daughters displaying themselves seeking for the attention and love that should have come from us; to our sons not being honorable men because of our lack of example and guidance. We fail our families when we prioritize other persuits before them. And the “fall out” goes deeper and wider as it affects generations to come all because we compromised our walk with God. Without reverence for The Lord, which leads to knowing His love and a respect for self which gives us a sense of value and worth (security). Our kids grow up to be but shadows of the men and women they could have been, all because we favored our comforts and dreams over a life that feared God. Eli’s lack with God and hence with his sons will cause his life to end bad. His sons are killed in battle, Israel is defeated, the Ark of God is taken and Eli breaks his neck.
1 Samuel 4:17-18
And the messenger answered and said, Israel is fled before the Philistines, and there hath been also a great slaughter among the people, and thy two sons also, Hophni and Phinehas, are dead, and the ark of God is taken.
And it came to pass, when he made mention of — the ark of God, that he ( Eli) fell from off the seat backward by the side of the gate, and his neck broke, and he died: for he was an old man, and heavy. And he had judged — Israel forty years.
And the messenger answered and said, Israel is fled before the Philistines, and there hath been also a great slaughter among the people, and thy two sons also, Hophni and Phinehas, are dead, and the ark of God is taken.
And it came to pass, when he made mention of — the ark of God, that he ( Eli) fell from off the seat backward by the side of the gate, and his neck broke, and he died: for he was an old man, and heavy. And he had judged — Israel forty years.
This is no way for a High Priest to die, however his actions and lack of actions determined his death, a death without honor. How do we want to be remembered and how do we want our days to end? It’s starts now as we sow value or lack of value into the hearts of those around us. Parenting can be daunting, especially to the caliber of what the scriptures call us to. Yet, if as parents we make knowing the Lord our priority, He will parent us and we in turn mirror His parenting to our children. So it doesn’t have to be difficult, and parenting God’s way there is one overarching rule: We cannot give what we do not have. If the wisdom and love of God does not abide in me how then am I going to guide my family, especially in those critical moments? We won’t be able to. However if we maintain our integrity before the Lord, becoming His usable tool, He can speak through us. The right words and or actions can change the course of our love ones life, or anyone for that matter. I know, I’ve been there and have been so, so grateful that God was able to use me.
“and honorest — thy sons above me, ” if God was to speak to us as such what thing or person would He say that we honor above Him? Would it be our jobs, our spouses, girlfriend/boyfriend, our kids, a sport or hobby or ourselves? I know many people live together, even Christians. Rather than obeying God’s command to be married we compromise what His Word says and expect to receive His full blessing. It doesn’t work that way, His full blessing comes with full obedience, they go hand in hand. And this is just a few things, there are numerous things that we reinterpret for our own convenience, from drinking to taxes where we honor ourselves above His Word. As we give serious thought to this ask Him to reveal where you or I are compromising His blessing in our life. When He reveals something to you be quick to surrender and repent. God says of King David that he was a man after God’s own heart, not because he was perfect, for he committed far greater sins than many of us ever will, however God said he was a man after His own heart because David was quick to repent. Convicted by his sins through Nathan the prophet, David was quick to say ” I have sinned against The Lord.” Let’s be the same, be a man or woman after God’s heart, quick to repent. We were and are designed to run our best on holiness and a compromised life cuts off God’s best for us. We are the happiest, the most peaceful and strongest when holiness is what we pursue.
1 Samuel 2:18-19
But Samuel ministered — before the Lord, being a child, girded with a linen ephod ( the linen ephod was wore only by the high priest).
Moreover his mother made him a little coat, and brought it to him from year to year, when she came up with her husband to offer — the yearly sacrifice.
But Samuel ministered — before the Lord, being a child, girded with a linen ephod ( the linen ephod was wore only by the high priest).
Moreover his mother made him a little coat, and brought it to him from year to year, when she came up with her husband to offer — the yearly sacrifice.
1 Samuel 3:19-21
And Samuel grew, and the Lord was with him, and did let none of his words fall to the ground.
And all Israel from Dan even to Beer-sheba knew that Samuel was established to be a prophet of the Lord.
And the Lord appeared again in Shiloh: for the Lord revealed himself to Samuel in Shiloh by the word of the Lord.
And Samuel grew, and the Lord was with him, and did let none of his words fall to the ground.
And all Israel from Dan even to Beer-sheba knew that Samuel was established to be a prophet of the Lord.
And the Lord appeared again in Shiloh: for the Lord revealed himself to Samuel in Shiloh by the word of the Lord.
A very easy saying to remember is this, ” A man or woman, young person or child that honors the Lord, The Lord will honor. With our lips we praise things, cars, jobs, people, movie stars, music groups etc., however the chiefest praise and the highest purpose of our lips is to praise The Lord. There is no greater purpose or honor and because Samuel had set his heart on the Lord, guided there by the careful and diligent instructions of his mother, Samuel’s coarse went true and straight in spite of the dysfunction of his new home.
How about us? I find that our Christian faith is challenged by all the materialism and distractions that abound. It’s almost easier to be a Christian in a poorer country. Yet whether we live in a country where we are persecuted for our faith, or here where we have freedom of religion but the idols of materialism and lust abound, we still have to make a stand. Can we stand with Joshua as he says in….
Joshua 24:15
And if it seem evil unto you to serve — the Lord, choose you this day — whom ye will serve; whether — the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood( river) or — the gods of the Amorites, in whose land — ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve — the Lord.
And if it seem evil unto you to serve — the Lord, choose you this day — whom ye will serve; whether — the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood( river) or — the gods of the Amorites, in whose land — ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve — the Lord.
And so the choice is ours. Daily we make choices. We can chose to substitute our relationship to the Lord by staying busy with activities because it makes us feel important and needed, which is a basic human need. Or we can choose to set a hollow time aside to be with the Lord and allow His love and approval for us fill that void. And if being busy is all it takes to distract us from seeking the Lord, then say hi to a life of business. Often our lifestyle choices remind me of a hamster on a wheel; we are working so hard for what, for things that can be taken away? We have seen this in Napa/ Santa Rosa, Texas and Florida which is tragic, however treasures gained here are subject to the limits of this life. While treasures gained in Christ are ours for Eternity. Let’s not be penny wise by over emphasizing this life and dollar stupid by under emphasizing the importance of having a heavenly mindset. If you struggle with this or anything that we have been discussing, do not make this a guilt thing. Remember condemnation is not of the Lord, “for there is no condemnation in Christ Jesus our Lord ( Roman’s 8:1). However we do need to heed the conviction that God uses to steer us in the right direction. Ask the LORD to help you make Him first in your life. To begin to rightly prioritize our decisions is critical to maturing faith. The sincerity of your words will be tested.
My devotion time with the Lord has always been my lunch time which means I have said a lot of no’s to my colleagues who have invited me to go out for lunch over the years, causing me to be seen as the odd one out, and so I was. However, it was always interesting that my colleagues came to me when they were having problems. On the weekends my devotional time is the first thing In the morning. These times work for me, you will need to prayerfully consider what times work for you.
In ending, I want to keep us reminded that on top of all the normal stresses of life we have brothers a sisters, be it here in Napa/Santa Rosa, or Dallas, or parts of Florida, Puerto Rico etc., that have been displaced from their home or no longer have a home. Let’s keep them in ours prayers as well as many people outside the faith that are struggling. May this be a teachable time for us all to understand the importance of fostering a life with Christ over the persuit of the “American Dream.”
Father,
Teach us humility so we can see the truth and the importance of faith. Let us not build our house ( life) on the sands of this changing world but on the rock of Christ which is immovable, eternal and ever present. Thank you for Your love.
In Christ name,
your sons and daughters.
Move Forward in His Grace
Arthur