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Chapter 55
The Child Samuel
[This chapter is based on 1 Samuel 1; 2:1-11.]
ELKANAH, a Levite of Mount Ephraim, was a man of wealth and influence,
and one who loved and feared the Lord. His wife, Hannah, was a woman of
fervent piety. Gentle and unassuming, her character was marked with deep
earnestness and a lofty faith.
The blessing so earnestly sought by every Hebrew was denied this godly
pair; their home was not gladdened by the voice of childhood; and the
desire to perpetuate his name led the husband-- as it had led many
others--to contract a second marriage. But this step, prompted by a lack
of faith in God, did not bring happiness. Sons and daughters were added
to the household; but the joy and beauty of God's sacred institution had
been marred and the peace of the family was broken. Peninnah, the new
wife, was jealous and narrow-minded, and she bore herself with pride and
insolence. To Hannah, hope seemed crushed and life a weary burden; yet
she met the trial with uncomplaining meekness.
Elkanah faithfully observed the ordinances of God. The worship at Shiloh
was still maintained, but on account of irregularities in the
ministration his services were not required at the sanctuary, to which,
being a Levite, he was to give attendance. Yet he went up with his
family to worship and sacrifice at the appointed gatherings.
Even amid the sacred festivities connected with the service of God the
evil spirit that had cursed his home intruded. After presenting the
thank offerings, all the family, according to the established custom,
united in a solemn yet joyous feast. Upon these occasions Elkanah gave
the mother of his children a portion for herself and for each of her
sons and daughters; and in token of regard for Hannah, he gave her a
double portion, signifying that his affection for her was the same as if
she had had a son. Then the second wife, fired with jealousy, claimed
the precedence as one highly favored of God, and taunted Hannah with her
childless state as evidence of the Lord's displeasure. This was repeated
from year to year, until Hannah could endure it no longer. Unable to
hide her grief, she wept without restraint, and withdrew from the feast.
Her husband vainly sought to comfort her. "Why weepest thou? and why
eatest thou not? and why is thy heart grieved?" he said; "am I not
better to thee than ten sons?"
Hannah uttered no reproach. The burden which she could share with no
earthly friend she cast upon God. Earnestly she pleaded that He would
take away her reproach and grant her the precious gift of a son to
nurture and train for Him. And she made a solemn vow that if her request
were granted, she would dedicate her child to God, even from its birth.
Hannah had drawn near to the entrance of the tabernacle, and in the
anguish of her spirit she "prayed, . . . and wept sore.." Yet she
communed with God in silence, uttering no sound. In those evil times
such scenes of worship were rarely witnessed. Irreverent feasting and
even drunkenness were not uncommon, even at the religious festivals; and
Eli the high priest, observing Hannah, supposed that she was overcome
with wine. Thinking to administer a deserved rebuke, he said sternly,
"How long wilt thou be drunken? put away thy wine from thee."
Pained and startled, Hannah answered gently, "No, my lord, I am a woman
of a sorrowful spirit: I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but
have poured out my soul before the Lord. Count not thine handmaid for a
daughter of Belial: for out of the abundance of my complaint and grief
have I spoken hitherto."
The high priest was deeply moved, for he was a man of God; and in place
of rebuke he uttered a blessing: "Go in peace: and the God of Israel
grant thee thy petition that thou hast asked of Him."
Hannah's prayer was granted; she received the gift for which she had so
earnestly entreated. As she looked upon the child, she called him
Samuel--"asked of God." As soon as the little one was old enough to be
separated from his mother, she fulfilled her vow. She loved her child
with all the devotion of a mother's heart; day by day, as she watched
his expanding powers and listened to his childish prattle, her
affections entwined about him more closely. He was her only son, the
special gift of Heaven; but she had received him as a treasure
consecrated to God, and she would not withhold from the Giver His own.
Once more Hannah journeyed with her husband to Shiloh and presented to
the priest, in the name of God, her precious gift, saying, "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." Eli was deeply impressed by the faith and
devotion of this woman of Israel. Himself as overindulgent father, he
was awed and humbled as he beheld this mother's great sacrifice in
parting with her only child, that she might devote him to the service of
God. He felt reproved for his own selfish love, and in humiliation and
reverence he bowed before the Lord and worshiped.
The mother's heart was filled with joy and praise, and she longed to
pour forth her gratitude to God. The Spirit of Inspiration came upon
her; "and Hannah prayed, and said:
"My heart rejoiceth in the Lord;
Mine horn is exalted in the Lord;
My mouth is enlarged over mine enemies;
Because I rejoice in Thy salvation.
There is none holy as the Lord:
For there is none beside Thee:
Neither is there any rock like our God.
Talk no more so exceeding proudly;
Let not arrogancy come out of your mouth;
For Jehovah is a God of knowledge,
And by Him actions are weighed. . . .
The Lord killeth, and maketh alive:
He bringeth down to the grave, and bringeth up.
The Lord maketh poor, and maketh rich:
He bringeth low, and lifteth up.
He raiseth up the poor out of the dust,
And lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill,
To set them among princes,
And to make them inherit the throne of glory:
For the pillars of the earth are the Lord's,
And He hath set the world upon them.
He will keep the feet of His saints,
And the wicked shall be silent in darkness;
For by strength shall no man prevail.
The adversaries of the Lord shall be broken to pieces;
Out of heaven shall He thunder upon them:
The Lord shall judge the ends of the earth;
And He shall give strength unto His king,
And exalt the horn of His anointed."
Hannah's words were prophetic, both of David, who should reign as king
of Israel, and of the Messiah, the Lord's Anointed. Referring first to
the boasting of an insolent and contentious woman, the song points to
the destruction of the enemies of God and the final triumph of His
redeemed people.
From Shiloh, Hannah quietly returned to her home at Ramah, leaving the
child Samuel to be trained for service in the house of God, under the
instruction of the high priest. From the earliest dawn of intellect she
had taught her son to love and reverence God and to regard himself as
the Lord's. By every familiar object surrounding him she had sought to
lead his thoughts up to the Creator. When separated from her child, the
faithful mother's solicitude did not cease. Every day he was the subject
of her prayers. Every year she made, with her own hands, a robe of
service for him; and as she went up with her husband to worship at
Shiloh, she gave the child this reminder of her love. Every fiber of the
little garment had been woven with a prayer that he might be pure,
noble, and true. She did not ask for her son worldly greatness, but she
earnestly pleaded that he might attain that greatness which Heaven
values--that he might honor God and bless his fellow men.
What a reward was Hannah's! and what an encouragement to faithfulness is
her example! There are opportunities of inestimable worth, interests
infinitely precious, committed to every mother. The humble round of
duties which women have come to regard as a wearisome task should be
looked upon as a grand and noble work. It is the mother's privilege to
bless the world by her influence, and in doing this she will bring joy
to her own heart. She may make straight paths for the feet of her
children, through sunshine and shadow, to the glorious heights above.
But it is only when she seeks, in her own life, to follow the teachings
of Christ that the mother can hope to form the character of her children
after the divine pattern. The world teems with corrupting influences.
Fashion and custom exert a strong power over the young. If the mother
fails in her duty to instruct, guide, and restrain, her children will
naturally accept the evil, and turn from the good. Let every mother go
often to her Saviour with the prayer, "Teach us, how shall we order the
child, and what shall we do unto him?" Let her heed the instruction
which God has given in His word, and wisdom will be given her as she
shall have need.
"The child Samuel grew on, and was in favor both with the Lord, and also
with men." Though Samuel's youth was passed at the tabernacle devoted to
the worship of God, he was not free from evil influences or sinful
example. The sons of Eli feared not God, nor honored their father; but
Samuel did not seek their company nor follow their evil ways. It was his
constant endeavor to become what God would have him. This is the
privilege of every youth. God is pleased when even little children give
themselves to His service.
Samuel had been placed under the care of Eli, and the loveliness of his
character drew forth the warm affection of the aged priest. He was kind,
generous, obedient, and respectful. Eli, pained by the waywardness of
his own sons, found rest and comfort and blessing in the presence of his
charge. Samuel was helpful and affectionate, and no father ever loved
his child more tenderly than did Eli this youth. It was a singular thing
that between the chief magistrate of the nation and the simple child so
warm an affection should exist. As the infirmities of age came upon Eli,
and he was filled with anxiety and remorse by the profligate course of
his own sons, he turned to Samuel for comfort.
It was not customary for the Levites to enter upon their peculiar
services until they were twenty-five years of age, but Samuel had been
an exception to this rule. Every year saw more important trusts
committed to him; and while he was yet a child, a linen ephod was placed
upon him as a token of his consecration to the work of the sanctuary.
Young as he was when brought to minister in the tabernacle, Samuel had
even then duties to perform in the service of God, according to his
capacity. These were at first very humble, and not always pleasant; but
they were performed to the best of his ability, and with a willing
heart. His religion was carried into every duty of life. He regarded
himself as God's servant, and his work as God's work. His efforts were
accepted, because they were prompted by love to God and a sincere desire
to do His will. It was thus that Samuel became a co-worker with the Lord
of heaven and earth. And God fitted him to accomplish a great work for
Israel.
If children were taught to regard the humble round of everyday duties as
the course marked out for them by the Lord, as a school in which they
were to be trained to render faithful and efficient service, how much
more pleasant and honorable would their work appear. To perform every
duty as unto the Lord, throws a charm around the humblest employment and
links the workers on earth with the holy beings who do God's will in
heaven.
Success in this life, success in gaining the future life, depends upon a
faithful, conscientious attention to the little things. Perfection is
seen in the least, no less than in the greatest, of the works of God.
The hand that hung the worlds in space is the hand that wrought with
delicate skill the lilies of the field. And as God is perfect in His
sphere, so we are to be perfect in ours. Thy symmetrical structure of a
strong, beautiful character is built up by individual acts of duty. And
faithfulness should characterize our life in the least as well as in the
greatest of its details. Integrity in little things, the performance of
little acts of fidelity and little deeds of kindness, will gladden the
path of life; and when our work on earth is ended, it will be found that
every one of the little duties faithfully performed has exerted an
influence for good--an influence that can never perish.
The youth of our time may become as precious in the sight of God as was
Samuel. By faithfully maintaining their Christian integrity, they may
exert a strong influence in the work of reform. Such men are needed at
this time. God has a work for every one of them. Never did men achieve
greater results for God and humanity than may be achieved in this our
day by those who will be faithful to their God-given trust.
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