56 SAMUEL'S BIRTH, [B. C. Samson perhaps was present in her mind; the result is an encouragement for us to spread our troubles before the Lord. Eli marked her earnestness in prayer, but mistook the cause, and censured her as addicted to wine. Let this be a lesson to us not to speak hastily against the devotions of others, though they may at first appear to be enthusiastic, or even hypocritical. The humility, as well as the readiness, with which Hannah vindicated herself, at once satisfied Eli that she was of a right spirit: he gave her his benediction, and pleaded for a favourable answer, saying, "Go in peace and the God of Israel grant thee thy petition that thou hast asked of him." How instructive is this, especially to the young, when the peculiar circumstances in which they are placed expose them to severe trials of temper, or render them liable to be misunderstood and misrepresented! Hannah's prayer was granted: she had a son; she named him Samuel, that is, "Asked of God." As soon as he was fit to be left at the tabernacle, which probably would be when about three or four years old, she presented him to Eli, saying, as we read in the margin of our Bible, "He whom I have obtained by 1152.] AND EARLY HISTORY. 57 petition, shall be returned to the Lord." He was thus dedicated to the service of God, both as a Levite, which qualified him to serve at the sanctuary, and as a Nazarite, consecrated by his mother's vow. Hannah's prayer, or psalm of thanksgiving, is recorded in the second chapter of the first book of Samuel. We there, for the first time, find the name of "The Messiah ;" or, "the Anointed;" it is used in a manner which shows that the Old Testament saints looked unto Christ, and to the advancement of his kingdom. In this view the song of Hannah appears to be commented upon by the mother of our Lord, and by the father of John the Baptist, in Luke i. This inspired composition contains distinct evidence of a prophetic character, while it speaks of the Divine attributes in the most powerful language. a Samuel remained at Shiloh; it is recorded that he grew on, and was in favour both with the Lord, and also with men. The same statement is given respecting the early life of our blessed Saviour: there is no sight upon earth more lovely than that of young persons, devoted to the Lord, and seeking to promote the comfort and happiness of those around them. His mother was punctual in accompanying her husband to the yearly sacrifice, and then brought her Samuel “ little coat." We may here remark, that it was customary for the females, in ancient times, to weave the cloth as well as to make up the garment. Hannah doubtless did so; it is evident that a very different character, Delilah, occupied herself in a like manner, Judg. xvi. 13, 14. But none, unless a mother, can tell the feelings which would pass through Hannah's mind, while engaged at home preparing this garment, and anticipating her next visit to the house of God. At that time there was no open vision, or manifestation of the Divine presence to Israel. The people were not fully seeking the Lord as a nation, and there was iniquity in the sanctuary. Eli's sons were wicked, licentious, rapacious characters; they caused 58 ELI'S SONS. [B. C. the Lord's people to transgress, made them to grudge the sacrifices, and to abhor the required attendances on the sanctuary. Eli himself appears to have been a pious character; but he was led, by foolish and sinful partiality to his sons, to great remissness in his conduct as a judge of Israel. He restrained not his sons in their evil courses, but only gave them mild reproofs, to which they paid no attention. A strong remonstrance was delivered to Eli, by one who was divinely inspired to warn him of the certain destruction of his house, in consequence of the sinful conduct of his sons, and because he had honoured them more than the Lord. This reproof may be salutary to foolish indulgent parents in our own day; for, even now, there are many amongst us who honour their children rather than the Almighty; who indulge them in sin, and thus are accessary to the evil consequences resulting to others from their misconduct. But Eli does not appear to have been excited to his duty by this warning, It is true, he was then old and enfeebled, eighty-eight years of age, Samuel having been born in the nineteenth year of his administration, and being about twelve years old at the time of this call, which took place soon after the first warning to Eli. This we learn from Josephus, and it is consistent with the Bible. The manner in which the Divine call and the prophetic influences were communicated to Samuel, is related in Scripture. The youth was in careful attendance upon Eli, now old and infirm, and is described as promptly rising three times from his sleep, to answer what he supposed was the call of the aged priest. Eli also was tender of Samuel's comfort; when he perceived it was the Lord's voice that called, he at once instructed Samuel how to answer. Here was another mark of a gracious spirit; though old, and conscious that the Lord was displeased with him, Eli had no desire to check the rise of one so much beneath him in age and rank. Would that it were always thus among 1152.] THE CALL OF SAMUEL. 59 the people of the Lord! The Divine presence was now manifested. The Lord stood, and called this implies some visible appearance. Samuel promptly answered, and listened with due reverence to the solemn message for Eli, with which he was charged. The offence of his sons is not minutely detailed, but is spoken of as "the iniquity which he knoweth." Eli would stand self-convicted, on hearing the denunciation which he might long have expected. Here observe the evidence of a gracious spirit in Samuel. He must have been well aware of the great honour conferred upon him by the Divine communication thus made, but he was not unduly elated, nor did he from thence take occasion to neglect his regular business. He lay till morning, a crowd of busy thoughts, and deep feelings of reverence and selfhumiliation at the unexpected honour, would probably drive sleep from his eyes; but when the morning came, he quietly set himself to perform the duties of his station. He was unwilling to boast of the revelations he had received, or to grieve Eli with the painful tidings; but the aged priest, anticipating the subject of the message, adjured Samuel to relate the particulars. When they were told, he calmly said, "It is the Lord, let him do what seemeth him good." Eli meekly bowed to the Divine will, which declared his own punishment. Samuel now became publicly known as a prophet; whatever he was commissioned to declare was fulfilled. His instructions were widely diffused, and made profitable to many; this we take to be expressed by the record, that the Lord let none of his words fall to the ground. He appears to have been the first of that succession of prophets who were raised up in the Jewish nation. Peter's words, Acts iii. 24, imply this. In Israel's fane, by silent night, The lamp of God was burning bright; A voice unknown the stillness broke, Thus early call'd to serve his God, [B. C. Ten years passed away. The Lord again appeared on the part of his people; Israel took heart, and went forth to combat the Philistines, but iniquity was not taken away from among them. A partial defeat followed; but the Israelites, instead of going to the source of the evil, and turning thoroughly to the Lord, sought to procure success by an outward observance; as if bringing forward the ark, the symbol of the Divine presence, would compensate for the absence of the Divine power and influences. They forgot it was the presence of Jehovah, not that of a chest of wood, which had wrought deliverance for their fathers, and that the command was express, that when settled in Canaan the ark should remain in one place, while the Lord was present every where with his people. Outward rites and observances never will supply the place of inward and spiritual grace. The presence of the ark seems even to have encouraged the Philistines, who had recovered from the destruction caused by Samson forty years before. Israel was defeated with a great loss; the sons of Eli were among the slain. Eli sat at the gate of Shiloh, watching for the arrival of news from the army. Doubtless he was uneasy respecting his sons; but his main anxiety, we are expressly told, was for the ark. He heard of the death of his sons this must have affected him deeply, yet it could be borne; but when he heard that the ark of God was taken, he could no longer hold up against the overwhelming tidings, he fell from his seat, and died. Eli's fate is recorded as a warning to parents who indulge their children in folly and sin. His daugh |