Samuel Growing I Samuel 2

I Samuel 2:26 "And the child Samuel grew on and was in favour both with the LORD, and also with men."

Chapter 2 is the growing up years of Samuel and things that happened while he was growing.

Hannah, his mother, makes a prophetic prayer in the first part of the chapter. It tells of the LORD's victory over the enemy and how he keeps his people.

v9 "He will keep the feet of his saints, and the wicked shall be silent in darkness; for by strength shall no man prevail."

The next section v12 deals with the sons of Eli. Eli attempts to pass on the priesthood to his sons but they are not good men. They use their office to rob the people and cause them to despise the offering they made.

v16 "And if any man said unto him, Let them not fail to burn the fat presently, and then take as much as thy soul desireth; then he would answer him, Nay; but thou shalt give it me now; and if not, I will take it by force."

So it seems to me that the sons of Eli were brutes taking advantage of the people who sought to obey the LORD in their offerings. In one place, the LORD said they grow fat. The sons also took advantage of the women who came to the gate.

Samuel is ministering under Eli in the tabernacle while his mother is blessed with other children at home. She has three sons and two daughters. I think besides Samuel.

v19 "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."

Eli finally confronted his sons. He told them of the evil report he had received and said.

v23 "If one man sin against another the judge shall judge him but if a man sin against the LORD, who shall intreat for him? Notwithstanding they hearkened not unto the voice of their father because the LORD would slay them."

As David was confronted by a man of God in coming chapters, so Eli is confronted as he sits on his chair by the post.

v27 "And there came a man of God unto Eli and said unto him This saith the LORD Did I plainly appear unto the house of thy father when they were in Egypt in Pharaoh's house?"

The preacher goes on to warn Eli of things to come.

v31 "Behold the days come that I will cut off thine arm, and the arm of thy father's house, that there shall not be an old man in thine house."

In verse 34 Eli is told that his two sons would die on the same day as a sign.

So the house of Eli is about to fold and Samuel takes over judging the people and ministering to the LORD. We are leading up to the days of the kings. (One way to remember the order of the books here is to remember that Samuel anointed the kings and therefore Samuel must come before the king books.)

Psalms 110:1 "The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand until I make thine enemies thy footstool." Ref Mt 22:41-45
(This Psalms verse was quoted by Jesus)

keyword: Old Testament, I Samuel, Eli, Samuel, Hannah, Milton Southerland