Vers. 11-14.-Privileges and cares. The one great fact here set forth is that God reveals to Samuel-1. The judgment impending over the house of Eli, and its reasons. 2. That Eli had been already informed of its nature. 3. That the judg- ment when it comes will cause the most intense consternation in Israel. I. An ENTRANCE ON SUPERIOR PRIVILEGES. Hitherto Samuel had waited on man. Now he is honoured to hear the voice of God, and wait directly on the Divine pre- sence. His acquaintance with the history of his race-acquired from his mother, and the conversation of Eli, and possibly records in the tabernacle-must have caused him to know that, in being thus called to listen to the voice of God, he was about to take rank among the distinguished in Israel. The honour would be esteemed in pro- portion to the purity of his nature and sense of unworthiness in the sight of God. The question as to why God should raue a mere child to a position of such irnpc,rt- ance may admit of partial answer in this instance, though there is always in the Divine choice an element of wisdom which we cannot unfold. If tl1e regular officials of Israel are unfaithful, God may teach men by using the feeblest of instruments, and out of the ordinary course. And it might be important for the new prophet to be properly installed and authenticated before the aged judge passed away, and the ark of God fell into the hand of the foe. It is always a season of solemn import1U1ce when a servant of God enters on higher privileges, and becomes a special medium fur reaching the world with Divine truth. It may be, ns in this case, in quietude, without the knowledge of the restless world. In any instance is it a marked era in a personal life. II. An UNWELCOME DISCOVERY. Throughout the ten or twelve years of Samuel's service in the sanctuary he had been to Eli as a loving, dutiful, reverent son. To his awakening piety and sirqple nature the aged high priest would be the most august personag·e in the world, the representative of the Most High. The quiet good-nature of Eli in relation to himself would impress the youthful mind very favourably. There would be in Samuel's deportment a tenderness and deference suited to age. It would therefore be 11 terrible discovery to learn from the mouth of God that this revered man was so guilty us to deserve chastisement most severe. The smfaco of life was removed, and the object of lo,·e nnd reverence stood con- demned. The shock to a child's sensibilities could not but be great at first. When bonoured character is found to be blasted, the first impulse of the heart is to 'i4 THE FIRST BOOK OF SAMUEL [cH, III. 1-21~
gin• np faith in men and tl1ings. Dnt "·ell-balanced holy minds, as was Samuel's soon, rcco~·er the~seh-~s. H~ felt that God mu~t do right. Hi~ horror of sin was i~ pro• po!i1on to his punty of hfe._ Therefore, with all the awe, silent and loving, of a true- clnld of God, he would grieYe, yet feel that God waM wise and good. In more· ordinary forms the same di..~coi•ery i~ sometimes made. Children have to learn now and then all at once that the father is disco~ered to have lived a life' of secret sin. The Church is occasionally astounded by discoveries of character not suspected. EYen the disciples were unaware of the presence of n thief and traitor ns their friend and companion. H°',. many characters have yet to be unveiled I III. A rREMONITION OF COMING CARES. If we search further for reasons why so terrible a rewlation was made to the child-prophet, one mig·ht be found in the pre- paration it gaYe him for future anxieties. It is well for youth and men to go forlli to their career remembering that troubles will come. Samuel's knowledge that disasters of most painful character were close at hand would be morally good and useful. For wlien cares gather around the soul flees more earnestly to God. Tl:e same thing occurred in the instance:of the apostles. The honour conferred on them in receiving the truth was weighted with the knowledge that "in the world" they would "have tribulation." EYery '.one who enters on a new course of service must look for cares as part of the lot assigned ; and the prospect ,viii not de.unt the true- hcart, but bring it more into contact with the Source of strength._· · • l V. A RE,ELATI0N OF Dn-INE PROCEDURE. Samuel, if at all reflective, must have· been struck with the exceeding deliherateness of tlte J)ivine}udgments. Here was a cnse of vile conduct long manifested, and w_icked irresolution to put it down; yet, instend of sudden and swift punishment corning oJi father and sons, there is first a· declurntion to the father that the judgment is corning, and that all is in train for it; tl1en a lapse of some little time, and a declaration to Samuel that the judgment i8 fixed and sure; and after that a succession of events that must have opcupi~d a consider- able time before the execution of the judgment (eh. iv. 1-.:..Cll). This calm deliber• ateness of God is an awful thing for the guilty, and may inspire the patience and hope of the righteous. It is to be seen in the predictions and preparations.for the destruc- tion of Jerusalem ; in the steady wave of desolation and woe he in du~ tiµie causes to sweep over apostate nations; in the slow and sure approach ofdisa~_er ·on all wl.o- muke wealth by fraud, or barter his truth for gain; as, also, in the cal1I1, orderly arrangement of laws by which all who have despised the only Saviour reap the fru:t of 1.heir ways. •