The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Samuel — Section 55

wherewith she and her husband had, during the periorl coverer!, server! Gori in hc,me nnd in pnblic life, 11s also by the general tenr,r of their live,,-was crowned with a great increase of domestic joy. The home of Hannah emptied for Gori became full. The surrendered child was returned in fivefold form. The long, pining yearn of early life were followed by old age of blessed satisfaction. Thus do a'.l ages sl,ow that "there is that scattereth and yet increaseth." "I sent you forth; " "J;-icked ye anything?" There is a promise of a "lrnndredfold" for all that has been for~aken for Christ. In one way or another God will prove that he is not unrighteous to forget the work of faith and labour of love. "Them that honour me I will honom." Practical lessons :-1. Let the lowly be p;-itient in their endeavour to follow out the light they enjoy in worship and in service. 2. ;\,fany individuals and families can win for themselves the precious treasure of human am! Divine fayom, even though the wealth and fame coveted in the world fall not to their lot. 3. The multiplication of quiet, unostentatious religious characters is an end e~mestly to be sought, as adding in every sense to the welfare of the world. 4. The severity of our ,, trials in the cause of Christ, if entered into rightly, is sure to be crowned with blessing. Vers. 22-26.-Abandoned. The facts are-1. Eli in advancing years hears of the abominable deeds of his sons. 2. He remonstrates with them, pointing out the con- sequences of their conduct. 3. Heedless of the warning, they persist in sin, being abandoned by God. The narrative of the sacred historian seems to take in two extremes-two elements working on in moral antagonism till the one passes away and the other becomes ascendant. The abominations and profanations of Eli' s sons, and Samuel's purity and entire devotion to God, are placed in striking contrast. The history of the former is sketched as explaining the course of Providence in the de- liverance wrought by Samuel's subsequent conduct. The stage in the course of the dissolute priests here indicated brings into view- I. FEARFUL PROGRESSION IN SIN. The iniquity of years culminates in the most abominable crimes men could commit. The descent to shamelessness and utter corruption becomes very rapid. One can hardly imagine these vile sons of Belia! as once having been gentle youths taught to revere Jehovah's name, and to tread bis courts with awe. The momentum gained by evil desires when once let loose is among the most fearful features of human experience. It is the same sad story as often told now to the hearts of wailing parents :-disobedience, aversion to holy things, formal observances, secret associations of evil, seared conscience, loss of self- respect, profanation of sacred places, contempt for religion, self-abandonment to lust, defiance of God. What tears fall to earth nightly over erring ones ! What blasted hopes lie on life's pathway ! What cruel triumphs of sin over all that is fair and strong in human nature ! Holy Saviour, many of thy followers share in thy tears once shed over sin finished in righteous doom ! ( James i. 15). When, when shall the mighty power·come in answer to the cry of thy Church to turn back the tide of woe, and drive the curse from the heart and home of man? "How long, 0 Lord, how long? " II. DEFEC'.l'IVE DISCIPLlNE. No doubt Eli, as o. good man, deplored the vices of the o.ge, and above all the crimes of his sons, and be performed a father's part in remonstrating with them on account of their deeds, warning them of the dangers to which they were exposed at the band of the invisible Judge. But the day for warning and remonstrance was past, and the day for swift, unsparing punishment nnd come. As judge in civil capacity, and as high priest in spiritual capacity, the Jourse of Eli was clear-immediate banishment from office and capital pitnisliment ~Lev. xviii. 6, 20, 29; xx. 10; xx.i. 6, 7, 17, 23). We see how a man good in many respects, may recognise d1tty and not perform it. Eli knew that the sin of contempt for the ordinance of sacrifice, utter disregard of the honour due to God, prostitution of the holiest office to the vilest uses, was past condoning, past covering even by sacrifice. For God, as Eli puts it, makes no provision to pardon and save those who wantonly scorn the means of pardon and salvation. No sacrifice! no inter- ·,:,ssor ! Yet the appointed judge in Israel is content with a bare declaration of ~th, refraining from an exercise of the powers wherewith he is inYested for thtt 1 BAM. E  50 THE FIRST BOOK OF SAMUEL. [cH. II, 11-26.