HERE I AM! I

The call of Samuel has always been a favorite text of mine. From chapter one where his mother Hannah was praying (“she was speaking in her mind. Only her lips were moving; her voice could not be heard. So Eli (the priest) thought she was a drunk.”) (v.13) The Lord heard her prayer and gave her a son: Samuel. She later had two more sons and two daughters. (2:21) Hannah dedicated Samuel to the Lord at a young age after weaning (2-5 years?).

Samuel lived in the temple with Eli the priest and others (also Eli’s corrupt priest sons) under Eli’s supervision. Samuel grew up watching the corrupt sons of Eli (“they did not know the Lord and were worthless men” 2:11-12), stealing meat from the sacrifices, keeping fat and meat without burning it properly and having sex with women in the temple (2:13-22). Eli did nothing to correct his sons.

This priesthood and atmosphere is what it is when the Spirit of the Lord is no longer present and there is only a tradition and manmade religious mockery before the Lord. A prophet came to Eli and told him of the devastation coming to his house and family “You have honored your sons more than you have me by having made yourselves fat from the best parts of all the offerings of my people Israel” (2:29). Eli was very old and could not see well (from two perspectives). (2:22; 3:2) A change is coming soon. (Continued)

“So I tell you this: I am sending to you prophets and wise men and teachers. Some of them you will kill and crucify. Some of them you will beat in your synagogues and chase from town to town.” Jesus