Chapter 2 – SAMUEL’S GROWTH (cont)
3) The progress of Samuel (vv.18-21)
"But Samuel ministered before the Lord, being a child, girded with a linen ephod." We cannot possibly miss the contrast. "Wherefore the sin of the young men was very great before the Lord...But Samuel ministered before the Lord." At this point we ought to notice the steady progress of young Samuel. (i) "And the child did minister unto the Lord (compare Acts 13.2) before Eli the priest" (2.11); (ii) "But Samuel ministered before the Lord, being a child" (2.18); (iii) "And the child Samuel grew before the Lord" (2.21); (iv) "And the child Samuel grew on" (2.26); (v) "And the child Samuel ministered unto the Lord before Eli" (3.1); (vi) "And Samuel grew, and the Lord was with him, and did let none of his words fall to the ground. And all Israel…knew that Samuel was established to be a prophet of the Lord" (3.19-20); (vii) "And the word of Samuel came to all Israel" (4.1). We will examine these references in more detail as we come to them in our studies, but we must notice two important lessons now. First, Samuel was advancing spiritually. His growth was preparatory for the vital role that God had for him. There is no need for us to say more; we must all "grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ" (2 Pet 3.18). Why not look back over the past year, and ask, "How much have I progressed in my Christian life?". Remember that there will be no progress in any direction unless we have progressed in our devotion to Christ. Second, Samuel was progressing in difficult and unhelpful circumstances. We are glad to notice that he was encouraged by Eli, but Shiloh merited a government health warning. Do not use your circumstances as an excuse for spiritual failure. Remember Samuel! Older Christians should not wring their hands and say, "Young Christians today have far greater difficulties and temptations than we had". Remember Samuel! He wore "a linen ephod", the symbol of purity (it was made from white cloth), and he "kept himself pure" (1 Tim 5.22). He was not idle either. Samuel "ministered before the Lord". Whilst we do not have many details, he was obviously busy in service for God, which is more than can be said of some Christians!
Samuel was out of Hannah’s sight, but he was not out of Hannah’s mind. He got a new coat every year. She brought a larger coat every year. She expected him to grow! His clothes reflected his growth. Do people see developments in our spiritual dress? "Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting (progress) may appear to all" (1 Tim 4.15). For the clothes we ought to be wearing see Colossians 3.12-14. Notice, too, that the devotion of Elkanah and his family did not stop. The "yearly sacrifice" continued. It is nice to see quiet consistency amongst God’s people! Their devotion contrasted vividly with the contempt exhibited by Hophni and Phinehas. It is also encouraging to see that God is no man’s debtor. The interest on the loan was paid at the rate of 500%! She bore a further three sons and two daughters.
"And the child…grew before the Lord." Keil and Delitzsch explain it like this. "Near to Him (at the sanctuary), and under His protection and blessing." But the picture changes yet again, and we now listen to
4) The protest of Eli (vv.22-26)
Hophni and Phinehas were "sons of Belial" morally as well as ceremonially. "Now Eli was very old, and heard all that his sons did unto all Israel (ceremonially: see v.14); and how they lay with the women that assembled at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation (morally)." In the first case, the priests deliberately failed to honour God. In the second place, they were guilty of gross immorality. The lesson is clear: if we do not give God His rightful place in our lives, we become morally vulnerable. (Compare Romans 1.18-32).
Eli remonstrated with his sons and warned them, but that was all. A. McShane rightly assesses the situation as follows. "His words were unheeded, as we might expect, for nothing short of deposing them from the priesthood would have met the demands of the case. Doubtless the old man hoped for improvement, for he did not relish the thought that his house would no longer continue in office, and that priests of another line would serve the tabernacle." When immorality invaded the assembly at Corinth, Paul gave clear instructions: "Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person." Read 1 Corinthians 5 in this connection and notice v.6: "Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump?". Immorality affects the whole assembly, not just the guilty parties. So does false teaching (Gal 5.9). It would have been decidedly unpleasant for Eli to expel his sons from the priesthood, and it is equally unpleasant to exclude believers from fellowship on either moral or doctrinal grounds. But the assembly is a place where God is to be honoured, and where the testimony is to be jealously preserved. This transcends even family considerations. If David had corrected Adonijah in his childhood and youth, he might never have "exalted himself, saying, I will be king". But "his father had not displeased him at any time in saying, Why hast thou done so?" (1 Kings 1.5-6).
The section ends with another contrast. "They hearkened not unto the voice of their father, because the Lord would slay them. And the child Samuel grew on, and was in favour both with the Lord, and also with men." This sounds familiar! Luke describes the boyhood and youth of the Lord Jesus in the same way. "And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man" (Lk 2.52).
But Eli’s mild rebuke was not the end of the matter; God now intervenes. He is "a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed" (v.3). He knew all about the arrogance (v.16) of Hophni and Phinehas. There is nothing mild in what now follows.
To be continued.
