1 Samuel 2:18-21: The Purity Of Samuel VS. The Evil Of Eli’s Sons
“But Samuel ministered before the Lord, being a child, girded with a linen ephod. Moreover his mother made him a little coat, and brought it to him from year to year, when she came up with her husband to offer the yearly sacrifice. And Eli blessed Elkanah and his wife, and said, The Lord give thee seed of this woman for the loan which is lent to the Lord. And they went unto their own home. And the Lord visited Hannah, so that she conceived, and bare three sons and two daughters. And the child Samuel grew before the Lord.”
- 1 Samuel 2:18-21 (KJV)
As bad as Eli’s sons were, Samuel was different. We can say that this is why God raised up Samuel, because of the corruption of Eli’s sons. God knew how bad Eli’s sons were, so He guided the whole series of events that resulted in Samuel’s service at the tabernacle. If Eli’s sons were not worthy successors then God would raise up someone else.
Ultimately, corrupt ministers do not stop, or even hinder the work of God. It may look like it; but every time there are men like Eli’s sons, God raises up someone like Samuel. God’s work does not stop when God’s ministers become corrupt.
“Girded with a linen ephod.” Even as a child Samuel distinguished himself in his service to the Lord. His service was exceptional enough that he received a linen ephod, a priestly garment as we see in The Book of Exodus:
“And they made coats of fine linen of woven work for Aaron, and for his sons, And a mitre of fine linen, and goodly bonnets of fine linen, and linen breeches of fine twined linen, And a girdle of fine twined linen, and blue, and purple, and scarlet, of needlework; as the Lord commanded Moses.”
- Exodus 39:27-29 (KJV)
“Being a child”: Though a child, Samuel served the Lord better and in a greater way than the sons of Eli did. What man looks at in the service of God is often not what the Lord looks at.
“His mother made him a little coat”: Only someone who was really there would describe such a small detail. Though Hannah gave her little boy to the Lord, she never stopped loving him.
“The Lord visited Hannah:” He certainly did; three more sons, and two daughters. God will never be a debtor to anyone. Hannah could never say to the Lord, “I gave you my son, but what did you give me?” because God gave her much more in return.
Christian brothers and sisters, remember, nothing is impossible with the Lord, and He gave far more positive than the negatives He takes away from us!
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
- John 3:16 (KJV)
“And said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.”
- Job 1:21 (KJV)
God bless!
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