The Story of Patriarchs and Prophets
by Ellen G. White
Chapter 55: The Child Samuel
Elkanah, a Levite of Mount Ephraim, was a man of wealth
and influence, and one who loved and feared the Lord. His
wife, Hannah, was a woman of fervent piety. Gentle and unassuming,
her character was marked with deep earnestness and
a lofty faith.
The blessing so earnestly sought by every Hebrew was denied
this godly pair; their home was not gladdened by the voice of
childhood; and the desire to perpetuate his name led the husband—
as it had led many others—to contract a second marriage.
But this step, prompted by a lack of faith in God, did not bring
happiness. Sons and daughters were added to the household;
but the joy and beauty of God's sacred institution had been
marred and the peace of the family was broken. Peninnah, the
new wife, was jealous and narrow-minded, and she bore herself
with pride and insolence. To Hannah, hope seemed crushed and
life a weary burden; yet she met the trial with uncomplaining
meekness.
Elkanah faithfully observed the ordinances of God. The
worship at Shiloh was still maintained, but on account of irregularities
in the ministration his services were not required at the
sanctuary, to which, being a Levite, he was to give attendance.
Yet he went up with his family to worship and sacrifice at the
appointed gatherings.
Even amid the sacred festivities connected with the service of
God the evil spirit that had cursed his home intruded. After
presenting the thank offerings, all the family, according to the
established custom, united in a solemn yet joyous feast. Upon these
occasions Elkanah gave the mother of his children a portion for
herself and for each of her sons and daughters; and in token of
regard for Hannah, he gave her a double portion, signifying
that his affection for her was the same as if she had had a son.
Then the second wife, fired with jealousy, claimed the precedence [p. 570] as one highly favored of God, and taunted Hannah with her
childless state as evidence of the Lord's displeasure. This was
repeated from year to year, until Hannah could endure it no
longer. Unable to hide her grief, she wept without restraint,
and withdrew from the feast. Her husband vainly sought to
comfort her. "Why weepest thou? and why eatest thou not? and
why is thy heart grieved?" he said; "am I not better to thee than
ten sons?"
Hannah uttered no reproach. The burden which she could
share with no earthly friend she cast upon God. Earnestly she
pleaded that He would take away her reproach and grant her the
precious gift of a son to nurture and train for Him. And she
made a solemn vow that if her request were granted, she would
dedicate her child to God, even from its birth. Hannah had
drawn near to the entrance of the tabernacle, and in the anguish
of her spirit she "prayed, . . . and wept sore.." Yet she communed
with God in silence, uttering no sound. In those evil times such
scenes of worship were rarely witnessed. Irreverent feasting and
even drunkenness were not uncommon, even at the religious
festivals; and Eli the high priest, observing Hannah, supposed
that she was overcome with wine. Thinking to administer a
deserved rebuke, he said sternly, "How long wilt thou be
drunken? put away thy wine from thee."
Pained and startled, Hannah answered gently, "No, my lord,
I am a woman of a sorrowful spirit: I have drunk neither wine
nor strong drink, but have poured out my soul before the Lord.
Count not thine handmaid for a daughter of Belial: for out of
the abundance of my complaint and grief have I spoken hitherto."
The high priest was deeply moved, for he was a man of God;
and in place of rebuke he uttered a blessing: "Go in peace: and
the God of Israel grant thee thy petition that thou hast asked of
Him."
Hannah's prayer was granted; she received the gift for which
she had so earnestly entreated. As she looked upon the child,
she called him Samuel—"asked of God." As soon as the little one
was old enough to be separated from his mother, she fulfilled her
vow. She loved her child with all the devotion of a mother's
heart; day by day, as she watched his expanding powers and
listened to his childish prattle, her affections entwined about him [p. 571] more closely. He was her only son, the special gift of Heaven;
but she had received him as a treasure consecrated to God, and
she would not withhold from the Giver His own.
Once more Hannah journeyed with her husband to Shiloh
and presented to the priest, in the name of God, her precious gift,
saying, "For this child I prayed; and the Lord hath given me
my petition which I asked of Him: therefore also I have lent him
to the Lord; as long as he liveth he shall be lent to the Lord." Eli
was deeply impressed by the faith and devotion of this woman
of Israel. Himself as overindulgent father, he was awed and
humbled as he beheld this mother's great sacrifice in parting with
her only child, that she might devote him to the service of God.
He felt reproved for his own selfish love, and in humiliation
and reverence he bowed before the Lord and worshiped.
The mother's heart was filled with joy and praise, and she
longed to pour forth her gratitude to God. The Spirit of Inspiration
came upon her; "and Hannah prayed, and said:
"My heart rejoiceth in the Lord;
Mine horn is exalted in the Lord;
My mouth is enlarged over mine enemies;
Because I rejoice in Thy salvation.
There is none holy as the Lord:
For there is none beside Thee:
Neither is there any rock like our God.
Talk no more so exceeding proudly;
Let not arrogancy come out of your mouth;
For Jehovah is a God of knowledge,
And by Him actions are weighed. . . .
The Lord killeth, and maketh alive:
He bringeth down to the grave, and bringeth up.
The Lord maketh poor, and maketh rich:
He bringeth low, and lifteth up.
He raiseth up the poor out of the dust,
And lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill,
To set them among princes,
And to make them inherit the throne of glory:
For the pillars of the earth are the Lord's,
And He hath set the world upon them.
He will keep the feet of His saints,
And the wicked shall be silent in darkness;
For by strength shall no man prevail.
The adversaries of the Lord shall be broken to pieces; [p. 572]
Out of heaven shall He thunder upon them:
The Lord shall judge the ends of the earth;
And He shall give strength unto His king,
And exalt the horn of His anointed."
Hannah's words were prophetic, both of David, who should
reign as king of Israel, and of the Messiah, the Lord's Anointed.
Referring first to the boasting of an insolent and contentious
woman, the song points to the destruction of the enemies of God
and the final triumph of His redeemed people.
From Shiloh, Hannah quietly returned to her home at
Ramah, leaving the child Samuel to be trained for service in the
house of God, under the instruction of the high priest. From the
earliest dawn of intellect she had taught her son to love and
reverence God and to regard himself as the Lord's. By every familiar
object surrounding him she had sought to lead his thoughts up
to the Creator. When separated from her child, the faithful
mother's solicitude did not cease. Every day he was the subject
of her prayers. Every year she made, with her own hands, a robe
of service for him; and as she went up with her husband to
worship at Shiloh, she gave the child this reminder of her love.
Every fiber of the little garment had been woven with a prayer
that he might be pure, noble, and true. She did not ask for her
son worldly greatness, but she earnestly pleaded that he might
attain that greatness which Heaven values—that he might honor
God and bless his fellow men.
What a reward was Hannah's! and what an encouragement
to faithfulness is her example! There are opportunities of
inestimable worth, interests infinitely precious, committed to every
mother. The humble round of duties which women have come
to regard as a wearisome task should be looked upon as a grand
and noble work. It is the mother's privilege to bless the world
by her influence, and in doing this she will bring joy to her own
heart. She may make straight paths for the feet of her children,
through sunshine and shadow, to the glorious heights above. But
it is only when she seeks, in her own life, to follow the teachings
of Christ that the mother can hope to form the character of
her children after the divine pattern. The world teems with
corrupting influences. Fashion and custom exert a strong power
over the young. If the mother fails in her duty to instruct, guide,
and restrain, her children will naturally accept the evil, and [p. 573] turn from the good. Let every mother go often to her Saviour
with the prayer, "Teach us, how shall we order the child, and
what shall we do unto him?" Let her heed the instruction which
God has given in His word, and wisdom will be given her as she
shall have need.
"The child Samuel grew on, and was in favor both with the
Lord, and also with men." Though Samuel's youth was passed
at the tabernacle devoted to the worship of God, he was not free
from evil influences or sinful example. The sons of Eli feared
not God, nor honored their father; but Samuel did not seek their
company nor follow their evil ways. It was his constant endeavor
to become what God would have him. This is the privilege of
every youth. God is pleased when even little children give themselves
to His service.
Samuel had been placed under the care of Eli, and the loveliness
of his character drew forth the warm affection of the aged
priest. He was kind, generous, obedient, and respectful. Eli,
pained by the waywardness of his own sons, found rest and comfort
and blessing in the presence of his charge. Samuel was helpful
and affectionate, and no father ever loved his child more
tenderly than did Eli this youth. It was a singular thing that
between the chief magistrate of the nation and the simple child
so warm an affection should exist. As the infirmities of age
came upon Eli, and he was filled with anxiety and remorse by
the profligate course of his own sons, he turned to Samuel for
comfort.
It was not customary for the Levites to enter upon their
peculiar services until they were twenty-five years of age, but Samuel
had been an exception to this rule. Every year saw more important
trusts committed to him; and while he was yet a child, a
linen ephod was placed upon him as a token of his consecration
to the work of the sanctuary. Young as he was when brought
to minister in the tabernacle, Samuel had even then duties to
perform in the service of God, according to his capacity. These
were at first very humble, and not always pleasant; but they were
performed to the best of his ability, and with a willing heart. His
religion was carried into every duty of life. He regarded himself
as God's servant, and his work as God's work. His efforts were
accepted, because they were prompted by love to God and a sincere
desire to do His will. It was thus that Samuel became a [p. 574] co-worker with the Lord of heaven and earth. And God fitted
him to accomplish a great work for Israel.
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If children were taught to regard the humble round of everyday
duties as the course marked out for them by the Lord, as a
school in which they were to be trained to render faithful and
efficient service, how much more pleasant and honorable would
their work appear. To perform every duty as unto the Lord,
throws a charm around the humblest employment and links the
workers on earth with the holy beings who do God's will in
heaven.
Success in this life, success in gaining the future life, depends
upon a faithful, conscientious attention to the little things. Perfection
is seen in the least, no less than in the greatest, of the
works of God. The hand that hung the worlds in space is the
hand that wrought with delicate skill the lilies of the field. And
as God is perfect in His sphere, so we are to be perfect in ours.
Thy symmetrical structure of a strong, beautiful character is
built up by individual acts of duty. And faithfulness should
characterize our life in the least as well as in the greatest of its
details. Integrity in little things, the performance of little acts of
fidelity and little deeds of kindness, will gladden the path of life;
and when our work on earth is ended, it will be found that every
one of the little duties faithfully performed has exerted an
influence for good—an influence that can never perish.
The youth of our time may become as precious in the sight
of God as was Samuel. By faithfully maintaining their Christian
integrity, they may exert a strong influence in the work of reform.
Such men are needed at this time. God has a work for every
one of them. Never did men achieve greater results for God and
humanity than may be achieved in this our day by those who will
be faithful to their God-given trust.
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"Eli and His Sons"
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