_And the child Samuel ministered unto the Lord before Eli._ THE CHILD PROPHET This white flower blossomed on a dunghill. The continuous growth of a character, from a child serving God, and to old age walking in the same path, is the great lesson which the story of Samuel teaches us. “The child is f... [ Continue Reading ]
_And it came to pass at that time, when Eli was laid down in his place._ THE CHARACTER OF ELI Eli and Samuel. 1. They are contrasted in point of years: for the one is a boy, the other a grey-headed old man; and if it were for only this, the chapter would be one of deep interest. For it is interes... [ Continue Reading ]
_Then the Lord called Samuel: and he answered, Here am I._ THE CHILD SAMUEL “Child” is not a precise equivalent for the Hebrew word so rendered, which is considerably wider in meaning, and includes adolescence. Samuel was probably a youth when called. He had been growing quietly in ago and goodness... [ Continue Reading ]
_Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord, neither was the word of the Lord yet revealed unto him._ EARLY RELIGIOUS IMPRESSIONS A study of this story will show parents and teachers much which ought to be supremely helpful in their dealings with those young persons who come under their care. I. There i... [ Continue Reading ]
_And ere the lamp of God went out._ THE LIGHTS OF THE SANCTUARY EVER BURNING A blacksmith can do nothing when his fire is out, and in this respect he is the type of a minister If all the lights in the outside world are quenched the lamps that burn in the sanctuary ought still to remain undimmed; f... [ Continue Reading ]
_Speak, Lord; for Thy servant heareth._ THE PUPIL OF GOD I. As the auditor of God. “The Lord came and stood.” The Great Father speaks to man in nature, in history, in moral reason, as well as in special revelations. This He does as in the case of Samuel. 1. Frequently. 2. Personally. Samuel’s na... [ Continue Reading ]
_I will do a thing in Israel, at which both the ears of every one that heareth it shall tingle._ CAUSES OF ELI’S OVERTHROW There are several impressive lessons urged by God’s treatment of Eli. I. First of all it is clear--and it ought to be made most distinct, because of a great practical delusion... [ Continue Reading ]
_For I have told him that I will judge his house forever for the iniquity which he knoweth._ THE PUNISHMENT OF PARENTAL SINS Experience is like the stern light of a ship; it illumines only the path that is already passed overse This familiar adage is true as to our own experience; but if we study c... [ Continue Reading ]
_The doors of the House of the Lord._ THE DOORS OF THE TABERNACLE Some think, that whereas yet the Tabernacle consisted of curtains and coverings, and so had veils instead of doors: that the House of God and the Tabernacle were not the same, as the Ark was in one place and the Tabernacle in another... [ Continue Reading ]
_What is the thing that the Lord hath said unto thee?_ A PRIVATE ENQUIRY I. Let us view the question as addressed to Samuel. 1. The first remark which we shall make upon it is that God does speak to men. In ways suitable to their feeble nature the Lord has spoken to men. (1) He has done so in th... [ Continue Reading ]
_And Samuel told him every whit._ SPEAKING THE TRUTH IN LOVE Samuel, so adjured, “told him every whit, and hid nothing from him.” How interesting it is to trace, at every stage of the history, the development of this holy child’s character. He had been called to be a prophet, that is, an announcer... [ Continue Reading ]
_And Samuel grew, and the Lord was with him._ SAMUEL It is the design of the present discourse to show what was implied in God’s being with Samuel. I. This implied that God preserved his life and health. While other children died, Samuel lived, and grew in stature and strength. He could gratefull... [ Continue Reading ]
_And all Israel, from Dan even to Beer-sheba, knew that Samuel was established to be a prophet of the Lord._ FROM DAN TO BEER-SHEBA That is to say, from Plymouth to Aberdeen--all the people in the towns and villages of Israel knew that there was come a new thing on the earth, that God was now speak... [ Continue Reading ]