Eli dan Samuel

Historical Lesson 1

(1 Samuel 1-7)

Pdt. Marianus T. Waang, M. Th

During my flight to Pontianak and riding to Sentagi, West Borneo, I read 1 Samuel 1-7. These chapters talk about the historical fact of the life and ministry of Samuel. Several things came to my mind and really touched. Firstly, the onvruchtbaarheid of Hannah, Elkanah’s beloved wife. This is caused by the Lord or according to His will (1:5). So it is not natural. Secondly, Hannah’s prayer to have a son and her promise to dedicate this son for the sake of the Lord.  The Lord listened to her prayer. Hannah got one boy. It was possible for Hannah not to keep her promise, as Ananias and Sapphira did (Acts 5). No! She kept what she has promised without asking the Lord first to give her another boy. She asked one. That is all.  And she gave this ‘one and all’ to God.  And then she got from the Supreme God what she did not ask: three more boys and two daughters (2:21).  Thirdly, - and this is the important one – the families of Eli and Samuel. Eli was the high priest and the judge for Israel at that period. So the well being of Israelites politically and primarily spiritually laid on him. Yet from chapters 2 – 4 it was so plain that he failed to lead his sons to be good priests. The same history took place in Samuel’s family. When he grew old, he appointed his sons, Joel and Abijah as judges for Israel. We see however in chapter 8 that these two sons did not live a holy life as their father did. As the sons of Eli, they became corrupted leaders and brought God’s people in danger!    

Two important things we can learn from these two families. Firstly, failure in bringing our family members to love God is a historical fact of God’s servants. It is also not an impossible future of our kids. Secondly, the failure of a leader is the painful life of those he leads.   

Dear Lord, contemplating on the history of Eli and Samuel leads us to really think of our kids. This is a good historical lesson to really teach our kids as your command in Deuteronomy 6.  Enable us to teach them Your way rightly.  Drive their hearts to love you above all from now. In Jesus’ name. Amen!