1 Samuel chapter 2 begins with Hannah’s expression of praise to God for gloriously answering her emotional prayer for a son. “My heart rejoices…I delight in Your deliverance. There is no one holy like the Lord… for the Lord is a God who knows, and by Him deeds are weighed…The Lord brings death and makes alive… He humbles and He exalts. He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap; He seats them with princes and has them inherit a throne of honor…the Lord will judge the ends of the earth.” This is a humbling reminder that God is in control. If you are sitting on the ash heap, He can lift you up. If you are seated with princes, never forget the source of your blessing. She also mentions in her prayer, “She who was barren has borne seven children, but she who has many sons pines away“. Many times things turn out differently than what we imagine in the midst our struggles. Our God is merciful and compassionate to all who call on Him. Hannah and her husband returned home, “but the boy ministered to the Lord under Eli the priest“. Hannah’s vow was kept.
The chapter continues with an assessment of the priesthood in Israel. “Eli’s sons were wicked men; they had no regard for the Lord… This sin of the young men was very great in the Lord’s sight“. It is important to remember that the potition of High Priest was not passed from father to son as an inheritance of the “family business”. Aaron had four sons and two of them were put to death by the Lord for disobeying God’s commandments. Eleazar became High priest with his brother serving under him. It was not the son of Eleazar, but Eli, his nephew that was anointed next. I am always concerned that my children may mistakenly believe that they can somehow inherit any standing with God from me. Each of us must individually come before God and ask for forgiveness for our own sins. We must then develop our own new intimate relationship with God through Christ. Salvation cannot be inherited; it must be received as an anointing from God through His Holy Spirit.
Next we read, “Now Eli, who was old, heard about everything his sons were doing“. He explained to his sons that their transgression was against God, but “they did not listen to their father’s rebuke“. Don’t wait! It is always better to teach our children while they are young. In contrast, “Samuel ministered before the Lord… the boy continued to grow in stature and in favor with the Lord and with men“. God, as is His nature, offers hope even as he is pronouncing judgment. “Those who honor Me, I will honor, but those who despise Me will be distained… and what happens to your two sons will be a sign to you they will both die the same day. I will raise up for Myself a faithful priest who will do according to what is in My heart and mind… and he will minister before My anointed one always“. This promise refers to Samuel, but ultimately it is a prophesy pointing to the coming Messiah. Hebrew 7:24 explains, “Because Jesus lives forever, He has a permanent priesthood. Therefore He is able to save completely those who come to God through Him because He always lives to intercede for them“. I have great comfort knowing that Jesus Himself is interceding for me!