Children of the Bible

Lesson 6

Lesson Text—I Samuel 3:1-4

I Samuel 3:1-41 And the child Samuel ministered unto the Lord before Eli. And the word of the LORD was precious in those days; there was no open vision.2 And it came to pass at that time, when Eli was laid down in his place, and his eyes began to wax dim, that he

could not see;

Lesson Text—I Samuel 3:1-4

3 And ere the lamp of God went out in the temple of the Lord, where the ark of God was, and Samuel was laid down to sleep;4 That the LORD called Samuel: and he answered, Here am I.

Lesson Text—I Samuel 3:5-7

I Samuel 3:5-75 And he ran unto Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou calledst me. And he said, I called not; lie down again. And he went and lay down.

Lesson Text—I Samuel 3:5-7

6 And the Lord called yet again, Samuel. And Samuel arose and went to Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou didst call me. And he answered, I called not, my son; lie down again.7 Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD, neither was the word of the Lord yet revealed unto him.

Lesson Text—I Samuel 3:8-10

I Samuel 3:8-108 And the LORD called Samuel again the third time. And he arose and went to Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou didst call me. And Eli perceived that the LORD had called the child.

Lesson Text—I Samuel 3:8-10

9 Therefore Eli said unto Samuel, Go, lie down: and it shall be, if he call thee, that thou shalt say, Speak, LORD; for thy servant heareth. So Samuel went and lay down in his place.10 And the LORD came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel answered, Speak; for thy servant heareth.

Lesson Text—I Samuel 3:11-13

I Samuel 3:11-1311 And the LORD said to Samuel, Behold, I will do a thing in Israel, at which both the ears of every one that heareth it shall tingle.

Lesson Text—I Samuel 3:11-13

12 In that day I will perform against Eli all things which I have spoken concerning his house: when I begin, I will also make an end.13 For I have told him that I will judge his house for ever for the iniquity which he knoweth; because his sons made themselves vile, and he

restrained them not.

Lesson Text—I Samuel 3:14

I Samuel 3:14And therefore I have sworn unto the house of Eli, that the iniquity of Eli’s house shall not be purged with sacrifice nor offering for ever.

Focus Verse—I Samuel 3:18

I Samuel 3:18And Samuel told him every whit,

and hid nothing from him. And he said, It is the Lord: let him do what

seemeth him good.

Focus Thought

Obedience to the voice of the Lord

and a willingness to declare the

whole truth assures the favor of

God and greatness in the service

of the Lord.

I. A Loving MotherCulture ConnectionThe Importance of Obeying God

In her article titled “Obeying: God's Way Is Always Best,” Shana Schutte shared the following: “Desperate longings can tempt us to do desperate, disobedient things. Desire not submitted to Christ can make us to lose our sensibility, justify our behavior, and make excuses.

I. A Loving Mother“When I was a teacher, one of my

co-workers posted a quote on his classroom wall: ‘The moment you settle for less than what you want is the moment you get more than you bargained for.’

“This is how it is with disobeying God. Once we settle for not going His way, we get less than we imagined and more than we ever wanted” (www.focusonthefamily.com, accessed April 6, 2011).

I. A Loving MotherThere simply is no substitute for

obedience to God. To obey God is to discover a life of peace and joy within His will, but to disobey Him is to experience a life of hurts, disappointments, and sorrows without consolation. Consolation is the real difference because everybody in life suffers hurts, disappointments, and sorrows. However, when we are obediently following God, we discover He is able to comfort us, strengthen us, and give meaning even to life’s

disappointments.

I. A Loving MotherSamuel became a great prophet

because he had a mother who consecrated him to the work of God and, most of all, because he had a heart turned toward God. He was sensitive to the voice of the Lord and obedient to His words. Those attributes will also lay the foundation for believers today to experience the fullness of a life lived in Jesus Christ and His purpose on earth.

I. A Loving MotherContemplating the Topic

It is possible there has never been an era like the present in which truth is so undervalued and so often distorted for personal gain or advantage. In Mass Media, George Rodman tells how big business and even governments hire public relations firms to assist them with developing their message and getting it across to the public in a sellable manner.

I. A Loving MotherOne public relations tool listed in Rodman’s book is called “The Big Lie,” which he says occurs when a prominent person states an outright lie and sticks to it in spite of the evidence that refutes it, hoping the public will eventually become “confused by the issue.”

The absence of truth alters the way individuals and society function.

I. A Loving MotherFor example, when Ronald Reagan’s daughter, Patti, violated school rules by smoking, Reagan wrote her a letter addressing the importance of telling the truth and warning her not to “establish a pattern” of accepting dishonesty as “a way of life.” Reagan wisely added that “compromising with truth no matter how trivial does something to us” (Kiron K. Skinner, et. al., eds., Reagan: A Life in Letters).

I. A Loving MotherJust as the absence of truth alters

the way businesses do business and governments govern and individuals conduct their lives, it also alters the way ministers minister and preachers preach and churches operate and Christians live. Reagan was right. Compromising the truth, no matter how trivial, changes us, but not for the better.

I. A Loving MotherToday’s lesson focuses our

attention on an Old Testament character who early in his life established a pattern of living honestly and valuing the truth. Perhaps God chose him as the catalyst for revival at Shiloh mainly because of this characteristic.

We too can be the means of bringing revival if we speak the truth, live the truth, and love the truth. (See II Thessalonians 2:7-10.)

I. A Loving MotherSearching The Scriptures

A Loving Mother

No study of Samuel would be complete without first devoting some attention to his mother, Hannah, whose selfless devotion to God unquestionably influenced the destiny of her son.

A. Barren—Loved by Her Husband, but Ridiculed by Her

Enemies

A. Barren—Loved by Her Husband, but Ridiculed by Her Enemies

To be childless was extremely devastating to a woman in Hannah’s day. The culture of their day placed great emphasis on child-bearing because God’s promise of a future Savior depended on it. (See Genesis 3:15.)

I. A Loving MotherAccording to The New Unger’s Bible Dictionary, “The reproach attached to barrenness, especially among the Hebrews, was doubtless due to the constant expectation of the Messiah and the hope cherished by every woman that she might be the mother of the promised Seed.”

Although Hannah’s desire for children had not materialized, her husband, Elkanah, did not chide her for being barren. Elkanah loved his family and led them in worship despite

the despicable situation at Shiloh.

I. A Loving MotherHe did not allow the hypocrisy of others to interfere with his duties as the spiritual head of his family. When a man truly loves God, he will love his wife also, and lead her by his own example in a God-ward direction.

Like Elkanah, a Christian husband should do his best to ensure the spiritual well-being of his family, even when situations are less than ideal. Patiently and lovingly he should lead his family in devotion and faithfulness.

I. A Loving MotherThough feeling like a failure because of her barrenness and the derision of Peninnah and others, Hannah remained faithful. The loving leadership of her husband helped to keep her strong and focused on her desires.

B. Determined in Her HeartB. Determined in Her Heart

Though spiritually demoralized by her barrenness and emotionally battered by her adversary’s cruelty, Hannah sought refuge from her pain in prayer. Her example speaks volumes to those wrestling with anger, loneliness, depression, or bitterness. Those who hurt us often seek to justify the way they treat us and, like Peninnah, seldom ask for forgiveness.

I. A Loving MotherHannah’s example leads us to the only true source of healing for such moments—meeting God in a secret place of prayer. Hannah did not seek revenge; she sought God, and God rewarded her. In the end Hannah, not Peninnah, won this conflict.

C. Misunderstood by the PriestC. Misunderstood by the Priest

Just when Hannah felt things could not possibly get any worse, the priest Eli misjudged her devotion as drunkenness. Few wounds go deeper than being misunderstood by those whom we respect. Perhaps the wound went deeper when Hannah, who had to have noticed the blatant sins of Eli’s sons, wondered why Eli had not upbraided them for committing far worse sins.

I. A Loving MotherHow quick we are to point out the flaws we perceive in others, and yet, how blind we are to our own. (See Matthew 7:3-5.)

Perhaps Paul thought of Eli’s example when he wrote that a bishop who cannot rule his own household and children well, cannot properly guide the affairs of God’s house. (See I Timothy 3:1-5.) Such inconsistency should never lurk in a church’s authority structure.

I. A Loving MotherPaul was not implying a minister should tyrannize his family; he simply meant a minister should wisely control his household affairs, including his children. If a minister’s household is full of disorder, it is apparent he has failed to provide adequate leadership and does not inspire respect, both of which are essential in leading a church. Maintaining order in the family of God is crucial. (See I Corinthians 11:34; 14:40; 16:1; Colossians 2:5; Titus 1:5.)

I. A Loving MotherThere should not be one rule for the church family and another for the minister’s family. Eli was wrong to judge Hannah rigidly and yet not judge his own house.

D. A Child PromisedD. A Child Promised

As Hannah prayed, she promised that if God gave her a son she would dedicate him to a lifetime of service in God’s house. Through Eli, God confirmed to Hannah that He would answer her prayer, and true to her word, Hannah kept her commitment. Perhaps it was under the tutelage of such a mother that Samuel developed his truthful spirit.

I. A Loving MotherIn Hand of Providence, Mary Beth

Brown states the most influential person in the life of Ronald Reagan was his mother, Nelle Reagan. She “had an unshakable faith in God’s goodness” and “planted that faith very deeply in [him].” Reagan learned “the value of prayer” from his mother. She “seldom missed Sunday services.” Even in difficult times, Reagan’s mother “tithed to her church” and “taught her boys to do so, too” (Mary Beth Brown, Hand of

Providence).

I. A Loving MotherBarnes’ Notes suggests that people

teach by example and often “by the neglect of that which they regard as of no value.” For example, “A man who does not pray is teaching his children not to pray,” and a man “who neglects the public worship of God is teaching his children to neglect it,” and a man “who does not read the Bible is teaching his children not to read it” (Barnes’ Notes, Biblesoft, Ephesians 6:4).

I. A Loving MotherHannah’s influence shaped the character of her son, for she taught Samuel by example to value honesty and truthfulness and to honor God’s Word.  

E. A Child Born and DedicatedE. A Child Born and Dedicated

The child Samuel was more than the product of a biological phenomenon. He became a great prophet in Israel largely because of his mother’s prayers and consecration to God. From Hannah’s example we should understand the “ripple effect” of a parent’s devotion to God.

The future of any child is shaped largely by the influence of his parents. Children are not born to be preachers

or drunkards.

I. A Loving MotherThe parents either purposefully nurture or unwittingly neglect to guide the destiny of their children. As their children mature, parents should deliberately encourage them in a God-ward direction. This parenting quality is evident in Hannah’s providing a larger coat for Samuel every year. She helped her son find his way into God’s plan for his life by presenting him before the Lord and dedicating his life to God’s service. However, she did not abandon him, but returned at intervals

to encourage him in his service to God.

I. A Loving MotherIn Revolutionary Parenting, George

Barna contends that children who are raised by parents who emphasize their own spiritual growth make a positive “impression” on the young minds of their children. Those children note that “the example set by their parents” continues to affect their lives as adults. Barna also notes, “One of the essential child-rearing behaviors identified by the parents of spiritual champions” is the “modeling of the principles” taught

by the parents.

I. A Loving MotherIn simple terms, parents must practice what they preach. Barna also states, “The greatest influence a church may have in affecting children is by impacting their parents.”

II. A Good Child in an Evil Environment

A Good Child in an Evil Environment

Shiloh was full of moral decay, apathy, and neglect. What an atmosphere for a young, impressionable child! Imagine how Hannah felt about leaving her God-given son in the spiritually lethargic and morally corrupt environment.

A. Eli’s Evil SonsA. Eli’s Evil Sons

The writer of I Samuel regarded Eli’s sons as “Sons of Belial” who “knew not the Lord” (I Samuel 2:12). How did a priest’s children become so devilish? Evidently, growing up in a home where they were seldom if ever disciplined alienated them further and further from the Spirit of God.

I. A Loving MotherEli’s slack hand at home not only

affected his sons, but it affected the entire religious community at Shiloh. As Adam Clarke’s Commentary suggests, “These men were the principal cause of all the ungodliness of Israel.” Eli himself said to his sons, “Ye make the Lord’s people to transgress” (I Samuel 2:24).

I. A Loving MotherHow could Eli be so quick to

condemn what he assumed to be sin in Hannah and yet allow his own children to sin openly with only mild rebukes? Eli’s slackness served only to embolden his sons. If Eli’s own children could not respect his spiritual leadership, how could anyone else? Amazingly, the evil influence of these sons of Belial had no effect on young Samuel. He was truly a good child in an evil environment.

B. Samuel’s Ministry as a ChildB. Samuel’s Ministry as a Child

Despite the surrounding influences and overall adverse environment, Samuel developed physically, morally, and spiritually. (See I Samuel 2:21, 26; 3:19.) Numerous factors provide the necessary stimulus for spiritual growth. For instance, God gifted the church with the five-fold ministry for “the perfecting of the saints.” (See Ephesians 4:11-15.) Peter wrote that believers should desire God’s Word that they may “grow”

(See I Peter 2:1-2).

I. A Loving MotherBut another factor that often

provides the necessary stimulus for spiritual growth is adversity. Despite our misgivings, adversity is often our friend, not our foe. Samuel grew to be a great prophet in an adverse environment.

Adversity reveals the strength of one’s character and what is in one’s heart. Proverbs 24:10 says, “If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small.”

I. A Loving MotherAfter Abraham climbed the most difficult mountain in his life to sacrifice his son Isaac, God said, “Now I know that thou fearest God.” The adverse moment revealed what was truly in Abraham’s heart. Samuel was submerged in an adverse environment, but it revealed his passion for serving God. Instead of looking for a place to quit, Samuel looked for a place to serve.

III. Samuel in ApprenticeshipSamuel in Apprenticeship

An apprentice, according to Webster’s Dictionary, is a learner, a beginner, or a novice. It is obvious that at such a young age Samuel did not arrive at Shiloh with any previous training or knowledge about the call of God or the work it involved. We can see his naiveté in the way he responded to God’s call, mistaking the voice of God for that of Eli.

I. A Loving MotherIn spite of Eli’s shortcomings, he was instrumental in helping Samuel to develop some of the skills necessary to lead Israel out of spiritual mire.

A. Samuel MinisteredA. Samuel Ministered

It is amazing that at such a young and impressionable age Samuel did not succumb to the deplorable spiritual conditions about him. How did he rise above it? Did God place spiritual blinders on Samuel so he did not notice the apathy of Eli or the moral corruption of Eli’s sons? Perhaps Samuel made a practice of focusing on the positive rather than the negative.

Ernest ShackletonThe famed Antarctic explorer, Ernest Shackleton, knew pessimism was

deadlier than fatigue or frostbite. He did not allow his crewman to

“magnify the faults and shrink the virtues of others around them,”

because negativism would destroy the morale of the crew (Kim Heacox, Shackleton: The Antarctic Challenge,

National Geographic, 1999, 22).

I. A Loving MotherSamuel must have trained his eyes

on the good that existed at Shiloh instead of the bad. Rather than pointing out the faults of others, Samuel seems to have asked himself, “What can I learn from this so I don’t make the same mistakes?” Samuel wisely chose to turn his negative environment into a learning environment rather than an excuse to justify misbehavior.

B. The Lord Called Samuel by Name

B. The Lord Called Samuel by Name

Although Samuel may not have appeared to be qualified for his future destiny, God saw character and integrity in the child that was not yet evident to others. The Wycliffe Bible Commentary suggests, “Samuel slept somewhere near the ark,” deep in the interior of the temple complex, close to the heart of God and far from the world.

I. A Loving MotherCompare this with Eli’s sons who favored the position by the door of the temple where sensual opportunities lurked at the outside edge of the temple compound—close to the world. While some position themselves where the church borders the world, others position themselves where the church borders the heart of God. Intimacy with God is seldom experienced on the fringes!

C. Samuel Conferred with His MentorC. Samuel Conferred

with His Mentor

Samuel was young and inexperienced, but passionate. When destiny knocked, he did not know how to answer; but his desire to learn drove him to the bedside of his aging mentor. Not yet discerning God’s voice, Samuel supposed Eli had called him.

I. A Loving MotherThis being repeated a second and third time, Eli finally realized God was speaking to Samuel and instructed him to go and lie down and when the Lord spoke again, he was to say, “Speak, Lord; for thy servant heareth” (I Samuel 3:9).

I. A Loving MotherThe manner in which Samuel

addressed the Lord suggests he was listening attentively, desiring to understand and obey God’s voice. Samuel’s wisdom as a young man is evident in his humility. He willingly admitted he did not know everything and turned to his elders for guidance. In contrast, ego and pride have wrecked many a minister.

D. Samuel Responded PositivelyD. Samuel Responded Positively

Samuel’s life illustrates how that even though a person’s life, surroundings, environment, and peer group may be less than ideal, he can move beyond such things and experience the leading of God’s Spirit. Ideal circumstances seldom produce great achievers. In spite of adversity, Samuel grew in character, integrity, and spiritual stature; His obedience became the key to the fulfillment of the destiny God had in mind for his life.

(See I Samuel 15:22.)

IV. The Lord’s RevelationThe Lord’s Revelation

The Lord revealed His plan for Shiloh to Samuel, a plan which, unfortunately for Eli, contained judgment. No matter how good a leader Eli may have been in the past, he had grown indifferent to the fact that he and his children were more of a liability to God’s people than an asset. Lest anyone should be exalted by their self-importance, God teaches us through Eli’s example that no one

is irreplaceable.

I. A Loving MotherAnd when we cease to put God’s kingdom first, God can and will bring about the necessary changes—even when we refuse to do so.

A. The Lord’s Plan for Eli’s House

A. The Lord’s Plan for Eli’s House

The conduct of Eli and his sons made it difficult for others to serve God. God’s people reached a point where they abhorred bringing their offerings to the Lord. (See I Samuel 2:17.)

I. A Loving MotherIt is important to note that God had

made His will known to Eli before revealing it to Samuel. (See I Samuel 3:11-14.) God told Eli of His displeasure concerning the iniquity of his house, yet Eli did not receive it in a spirit of repentant obedience (I Samuel 3:14).

Iniquity injures the covenant relationship between the Lord and His people, but acknowledgement and confession of sin bring mercy and forgiveness. (See Psalm 32:5.)

I. A Loving MotherHowever, if God deals with an individual about his sin and he refuses to acknowledge or confess it, he crosses a line.

Transparency 3

I. A Loving MotherOnce Eli rejected God’s Word, he crossed the line of no return, for God said to Samuel, “And therefore I have sworn unto the house of Eli, that the iniquity of Eli’s house shall not be purged with sacrifice nor offering for ever” (I Samuel 3:14). Perhaps Eli, like Saul, thought ritualistic service compensated for his disobedience. (See I Samuel 15:22.)

I. A Loving MotherBut nothing brings God’s favor and blessing like sincere repentance and total obedience. (See Deuteronomy 11:26-28.) Eli wanted to retain his position but did not want to obey. God’s plan would forever end the reign of Eli as priest.

B. Samuel’s TrepidationB. Samuel’s Trepidation

Eli, knowing that God had spoken to Samuel, asked the lad what the Lord said. Perhaps Samuel cringed, as he “feared to shew Eli the vision” (I Samuel 3:15). Confronting a person, especially an elder, with the truth is seldom easy. Samuel was young, but he proved to God and His people that he valued truth over the favor and praise of men.

I. A Loving MotherThose who must confront people

with the truth face the temptation of indulging peoples’ sentiments rather than esteeming the truth. Almost everyone wants to be liked, but a true leader must not allow human sentiments to block the way to victory. Despite his trepidation Samuel told Eli the truth. He overcame error by embracing the truth.

C. Samuel’s Value of the Word of the Lord

C. Samuel’s Value of the Word of the Lord

Despite the uncomfortable position he was in, there is no question where Samuel’s loyalty lay. Samuel put God and His Word before anyone’s feelings—even his own. It would have been easy for Samuel to water down the message, but he valued the Word of the Lord more than his elder’s sentiments.

I. A Loving MotherWhen Ernest Shackleton’s crew had

to abandon their icebound ship during their Antarctic expedition of 1914 and find a route to safety, Shackleton allowed his men two pounds of personal gear. He knew of men who had frozen to death under similar conditions simply because they would not let go of sentimental items. Queen Alexandra had given Shackleton a highly prized, personally inscribed Bible that outweighed the two-pound limit.

I. A Loving MotherSo he tore out the page containing the queen’s inscription along with the 23rd Psalm and a page from the Book of Job. Similarly, we must place greater value on God’s Word than on personal sentiment (Kim Heacox, Shackleton: The Antarctic Challenge, National Geographic, 1999, 91).

I. A Loving MotherIt seems Eli, unlike Samuel, valued personal sentiment over God’s Word, and that weakness came home to haunt him. When we allow our personal plans, ambitions, or the sentiments of others to interfere with God’s will, we are neither obeying God nor honoring His Word.

D. Samuel’s Life a TestimonyD. Samuel’s Life a Testimony

Samuel’s integrity and purity stood out like a diamond against the blackness of Eli and his sons. “All Israel . . . knew that Samuel was established to be a prophet of the Lord” (I Samuel 3:20). The real and genuine stands out when contrasted with the counterfeit and phony.

I. A Loving MotherSamuel’s pure and sincere devotion to God, His people, and his duty to speak the truth, earned him the respect and confidence of the people, which became the key to revival at Shiloh.

I. A Loving MotherInternalizing the Message

The life of Eli illustrates how a man who values position and personal sentiment over humble obedience to God’s Word can lead a religious culture astray. Poor, self-serving leadership can devastate God’s people. The life of Samuel, on the other hand, depicts how important the confidence and respect of the people are to a leader’s ability to lead and see God’s people experience God’s favor.

I. A Loving MotherThe difference between Eli and Samuel comes down to the fact that one would not embrace the truth whereas the other would. Compromising the truth, no matter how trivial it may seem, changes us for the worse. Embracing and obeying the truth is the key to good leadership and revival.