Discipleship 2

Eli and Samuel

We are looking at discipleship again this week. Eli is the disciple r and Samuel is the disciple. How did Samuel come to be in the temple with Eli? If we go back to chapter 1 we see His father Elkanah and his 2 wives Hannah and Peninnah going to the tent of meeting in Shiloh to worship. Peninnah had children but Hannah did not. Elkanah loved Hannah and gave her a double portion because he loved her. Peninnah provoked her because she was barren. To the point that she refused to eat. In her sorrow she made a vow to the Lord that if he would give her a son, she would give him to the Lord and no razor would be used on his head. This is a nazarite vow, parents would dedicate a son to the Lord and train them to not have their hair cut or drink alcohol. Samson was an example of one whose parents had dedicated him to the Lord and we remember what happened to him when his hair was cut. Eli heard Hannah when she was crying out to the Lord and accused her of being drunk. She denied this and told him of her prayer. She returned home and became pregnant, and delivered Samuel. When he was weaned. (It was a custom of the day that some were not weaned until they were 3 years old.) She made him a linen ephod and when they went to the temple to present their offerings she presented Samuel to the Lord and to Eli the high priest. Samuel stayed in the tent of meeting and learned how to minister to the Lord. Each year when they came to worship his mother would bring him a new ephod. After dedicating Samuel to the Lord, Hannah went on to have 3 other sons and 2 daughters.

It is interesting that Eli is the one who would disciple Samuel. We read that Eli’s sons Phinehas and Hophni were wicked. The did not recognize God and disobeyed his laws. They kept for themselves the parts of the sacrifices that belonged to the Lord. Remember that the priestly tribe of Levi did not receive a portion of the land when it was distributed to the tribes. The priests would receive a portion of the meat from a sacrifice. God’s law in Deuteronomy specified which portions that the priests received based on what the sacrifice was. They also slept with the women who served at the entrance to the tent of meeting. All Israel was upset by their actions.

Eli tried to admonish his sons but they disregarded his guidance. He had been too lenient with them when they were younger and now they refused to listen. They had no love or respect for the Lord.

Eli was warned that his family line would be cut off because of their wickedness.

In spite of Eli’s inability to train his son’s he was given the responsibility to train Samuel. We read in

1 Samuel 2:26 NIV

And the boy Samuel continued to grow in stature and in favor with the Lord and with people.

Then in the text for today that Samuel ministered before the Lord under Eli. 1 Samuel 3.1 The word of the Lord was rare in those days. Could it be because of the wickedness that was happening, could it have been because of unbelief, or just plain not listening when God did speak.

Samuel was sleeping in the house of the Lord near the Holy of Holies when he heard his name being called; “Samuel, Samuel.” He went to Eli and said you called? Eli said that he didn’t call. Samuel went back and laid down in his place. It happened again. Verse 7 says that Samuel did not yet know the Lord. Take notice of this. Samuel was serving or ministering to the Lord, but he did not know him. Is it possible that there are some people today that are ministering to the Lord who don’t really know him? I heard a lady named Millie give a testimony years ago who said that she had been a missionary for a number of years. It seemed like hard work and she was stressed to the point of wanting to quit. She came home on furlough and while she was home she went to a conference where the speaker taught about the Holy Spirit and how the Spirit lived inside those who allow him to come into their life. She prayed that the Holy Spirit would take over her life and give her a deeper relationship with the Lord. When she went back to her mission field it was with a renewed spirit as the Holy Spirit worked in her life. Her work was no longer a burden, it was now enjoyable and she began to see the fruit of her labor.

Samuel heard the voice calling again, “Samuel, Samuel.” He got up and went to Eli and said you called? again Eli told him that he had not called and that he should go back to bed. When it happened a third time, Eli told Samuel that if it happened again he was to answer; “Speak Lord for your servant is listening.” This time the Lord came and stood beside him and told him that he was about to do something in Israel that would make the ears tingle of everyone who hears about it. Eli’s family would be cut off, their quilt could not be atoned for by any sacrifice or offering.

Samuel was afraid to tell Eli what the Lord had told him, but Eli threatened him if he did not tell what the Lord had said. Samuel told Eli what the Lord had said Eli responded that He is the Lord. This response is one of submission and recognition. God is sovereign and in control. Eli was willing to submit and receive God’s will.

The Lord was with Samuel as he grew up, and the he let none of Samuel’s words fall to the ground. All Israel recognized that Samuel was a prophet of the Lord. If we reflect back to verse 1 where it said that God speaking was rare in those days, we see that change with Samuel. He went on to anoint 2 kings, Saul and David, over Israel and spoke the word of the Lord on many occasions. A disciple who then discipled others.

Samuel was a very young boy when his mother took him to the house of the Lord. When we consider the N.T. text we see Jesus calling the little children to himself. No one is too young to come to the Lord. Parents have a responsibility to train their children in the way they should go. To know the Lord, to love him and receive him into their heart. I have heard it said by some parents that they will wait until their child is old enough to understand and then make a decision for themselves. That is an excuse for not wanting to encourage at an early age. Probably because the parents don’t have a personal relationship with the Lord themselves. There are a lot of people today who have head knowledge of Jesus but do not have him in their heart as Lord of their life. This is where we need to do a better job of discipling, as a church, as parents, and as individuals. Make a conscious effort to be a disciple of Jesus Christ and be a disciple of others. Grow in faith and service.