Read the Word:
1 Samuel 2:11-17
Meditate on the Word:
You may remember that Hannah prayed to the Lord for a son and promised that he would be dedicated to serve the Lord. God answered Hannah’s prayer by allowing her to give birth to Samuel. As a boy, Samuel was dedicated to the Lord’s service, and served from a very early age. God knew that Israel needed a new religious leader. Eli’s sons, the ones currently serving, had no regard for God or for His people. They took what they wanted, even by force. They would be judged and die in their sin. We see Samuel’s innocence contrasted by the evil character of Eli’s sons.
Eli’s sons were too blind to see that God had replaced them with Samuel. They probably hardly even noticed him. But Samuel would hear directly from the Lord and obey Him for all his life. He would become a well-known prophet and leader. He would also anoint King David, beginning the Messianic line. Eli’s sons would die on the same day that the ark was captured by the Philistines. They would die in their bad reputation, while Samuel would be well-respected into his old age. Which example would you rather follow?
Pray the Word:
Commit to serving the Lord in any way He chooses.
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