Friday, May 24 – 1 Samuel 2, 3 – Additional Reading, Patriarchs and Prophets Chapter 55, “The Child Samuel”

1. Since when did Samuel minister in the Sanctuary alongside Eli? 1 Samuel 2:11

2. What was the aberrant sin of Eli’s sons while serving in the Sanctuary? 1 Samuel 2:12-17

3. How many children did God give to Hannah after Samuel? 1 Samuel 2:21

4. How did Eli react upon learning about his sons’ misconduct? 1 Samuel 2:22-25

5. What was the consequence of the sins of Eli’s sons? 1 Samuel 2:27-36

Commentary and Reflection:

We continue exploring the fascinating historical section of the Old Testament. The translators of the Septuagint (LXX) combined the two great historical books of Samuel and Kings into four books to cover the complete history of the kingdoms of Israel and Judah, calling them “Books of the Kingdoms.” The Latin Vulgate subtitles them “First, Second, Third, and Fourth Book of Kings.”

These books of Samuel cover the history of Israel from the time of the Judges to the end of David’s reign. Samuel was the last judge of Israel.

1 Samuel 2 begins with a beautiful song of gratitude and joy from Hannah, where she, like Mary, expresses her “Magnificat” as God answers her prayer for the desired son, Samuel.

We are struck by the depraved attitude and behavior of Hophni and Phinehas in their contemptuous treatment of the Lord’s offerings. What a marked contrast between the sons of Eli and Samuel. Since childhood, Samuel served in the sanctuary with respect and dignity.

The ephod he wore was a type of tunic that priests used for religious ceremonies. This ephod was different from the one worn by the high priest in Exodus 28:6-14.

For her part, Hannah’s faithfulness was rewarded with Eli’s blessing when she went to visit Samuel with Elkanah every year. That blessing translated into the formerly barren Hannah becoming the mother of five more children, three sons, and two daughters.

Although Eli learned, through others, about his sons’ terrible conduct, the rebuke he gave them reflects his lack of diligence and authority over them. Sister White emphasizes the result of Eli’s neglect,

“When Eli was high priest, he raised his sons to the dignity of the priesthood. Only Eli was allowed to enter the most holy place once a year. His sons ministered by the door of the tabernacle and officiated in connection with the offerings of animals and at the altar of sacrifices. They continually abused their sacred office. They were selfish, greedy, gluttonous, and licentious. God reproved Eli for his guilty negligence concerning family discipline. Eli reproved his sons but did not keep them in subjection. After placing them in the sacred office of the priesthood, Eli heard of their conduct, of how they defrauded the children of Israel in their offerings, of their bold transgressions of God’s law, and of their violent conduct that led Israel to sin.” RH 188

1 Samuel 2:35 announces that God will raise up for Himself “a faithful priest “who will do according to what is in My heart and in My mind; and I will build him a sure house, and he shall walk before My anointed forever”. According to 1 Kings 2:27,35, this verse was a prediction about Zadok, the priest appointed by Solomon in place of Abiathar, grandson of Eli.

Let us pray to God to give us the strength of character of Samuel to glorify His name. May the Lord help us in this today.
Blessings to all.