Vers. 15--21.-l}iverse experiences. The principal facts are-1. Samuel, on enter• ing upon liis daily duties, fears to relate to Eli what hnd been told him. 2. Eli,. under the action of conscience, and convinced that ·something important has been communicated, employs strong pressure to obtain it from Samuel. 3. Eli, hearing the- account, recognises the righteousness of the judgment. 4. Samuel's position as pro- phet is established through the land. Samuel rose a new youth. During one night ennts had transpired which gave him a new position, wrought a change in his Yiews and feelings, ar)d tinged liiR life with a great sorrow. Weary with nervous exhaustion, and haunted by the thought of a sad discovery, it was no wonder if Le· mo,ed more languidly than usual. The brief narrative sets before us a group of facts. resulting from the communications made to J,im during the night. I. The TRIUMPH OF DUTY OVER FEELING. Samuel had an onerous duty to discl1arge. The old man weak with weight of years and sorrowful in heart, has to be informed of tl1e seal put ~n liis doom. "No prophecy is of private interpretation" applies here in the sense that Samuel's increased knowledge was not i11tended as a mere secret for himself. Duties are real though not imposed in form of words, and the sensitive spirit quickly recognises them. The eagernebs of Eli to learn all that had been com~unicated left Samuel no option. Thus duties spring up as soon as increased lmow~edg_e 1s a fact; and when God puts honour on us we must be prepared to fnce fresh o~h.gations. . But cJuty arising naturally out of new relations is sometimes counter to legitimate feelings. "Samuel feared to show Eli the vision." His quick sense saw, as soon as he awoke that day, that lie would have to relate a painful story. 'fhe natural bhri11king of a. kindly heart from the infliction of a wound would become more rnarkrd as an eager Cll, III. 1-21.] THE FIIlST BOOK 0F SAMUF:L. 75
request was made for information. He knew that Eli would be filled with anguish, both becuuse of the coming doom and the present virtual substitution of another in his place as medium of Divine communication. It is human to dread the infliction of humiliation and pain. There is a lawful sympathy with suffering and pity for rlisgrace. The judge may weep in passing sentence of death, and yet be a perfect jndge. A parent's heart may righteously bleed at the thought of administering severe chastisement. Duty is not confronted by feeling as a foe. Even Christ slirnr;k from taking the cup which a Father's will ordained. But disagreeable duty is nut fully by the 8'ltpremacy of sense of right. Feeling is suppressed, regard for truth i. 0
strong, and immediate and future consequences are left to God. Samuel kept notl,in." back. Herein lies the triumph of duty. The moral victories of life may be "·on by the young and inexperienced; for the secret lies not in vast knowledge a~d critical skill, but in a sound heart, swayed by supreme regard for God. II. The BODINGS OF A RESTLESS CONSCIENCE. It was more than curiosity that ind nce,l the inquiry of Eli. His strong language, almost amounting to a threat, revealed 1111 i11ternal conflict. Conscience is quick in arousing suspicions. Did the aged man hnlf hope that some relaxation of the sentence already passed would come? Did the alternate feeling arise that the specific hour of punishment had been announced? The presence of an uneasy conscience is a fearful bane in life. No age, no past reputation, no external honours, no official dignity, no formal employment in religious duties, can g·ive exemption from it where sin has been deliberately indulged. It is as an enemy in the home, a spoiler in a city, a ghost along one's pathway. ·what a power for misery lies in some men I How easily it is aroused by. passing events! How it makes men quiver even in the presence of children I How possible it is for even good men to embitter old age by pangs which God will not assuage on this side the grave I How unspeakably blessed they who keep a clean conscience, or have found cleansing and rest in Christ I III. SUBMISSION TO THE INEVITABLE. If Eli had now and then cherished a faint hope that the execution of the sentence against him, already deferred, would be either set aside or modified, nil hope vanished as be listened to the simple narrative of Samuel. The ter;ible tension of his spirit was at once relaxed, and with a reverence and awe which revealed that the religious life, though sadly injured, was true, he could only ~ny, "It is the Lord: let him do what seemeth him good." Poor old man I A stndy for others in responsible positions in the Church of God. It was well for him that he ~ould thus speak, and give to the saints of all time a form of words exactly suited to them when adversity falls and the heart sinks within. God is merciful even in the chastisement of his erring people, giving them grace to bow submissively to his righteous wi!L Well is it when men can kiss the rod that smites them I There are, at least, four cltaracterutics in a true s1tbmusion to the inevitable. 1. A distinct re- cognition of Goas acts. "It is the Lord." No mere blind working of laws, though forces do sweep on bringing desolation to the-soul. The tl'Ue spirit sees God in all the trouble. 2. An absence of all complaint. "It is the Lord." That is enough. "The Lord" known in Israel, who made all things, who is the same in all ages, who visited Lot for his covetousness, who kept Moses out of the promised land for his raslmess ; "the Lord" who rnises to honour and crowns life with good, and has unly been known as faithful, holy, just, and good. Not a murmur, not a bitter word or resentful feeling, finds place in true submission. 3. Conformity to the struke. "Let him do." The back is bared to the rod. It is duty and privilege to wish none other than the execution of his pui·pose. 4. Belief that all isfoi· good. "Let him do what Beemeth him good." "Though he slay me, yet wiII I trust him." Chastisement of the good, and also direct punishment of the wicked, are in the judgrnent of God good. 'rrue submission acquiesces in that judgment. Such has been the submission of the saints in ancient nnd modern times; and pre-eminently, nnd with reference to speci11l sorrows, of him who, when bearing a burden which others deserved, said, "Father, not my will, but thine be done." IV. A GROWING REPUTATION. Samuel's fidelity in discharging 11 painful dnty wos u good beginning of an official !if~. He was furnished •vith ~l~e s1:ecial_ knowle,lg-e requisite to the emergency of the time. The repented socret v1,1on m Slnloh, an:l the outward confirmation of his words before the people, g·iwc him c·onrnge, and secured 76 THE FIRST BOOK OF SAMUEL. (cu. 111. 1-21.