In the midst of all the spiritual apostasy going on around them, both Hannah and Elkanah were devout enough to go to Shiloh to worship and sacrifice at the prescribed times. And yet, Elkanah had two wives. Did he take Peninnah as his second wife because Hannah was barren?
Contrast the devotion of Elkanah to the actions of Eli’s sons.
Hannah wanted something so much (a son) that she was willing to give it up. Check out Hannah's prayer. She relates a great contrast between godliness and corruption. This great insight from Hannah was uncommon in the biblical record.
Even though, Hannah gave up her son in service to the Lord as soon as he was weaned, she still was a typical mother in many ways. She made him a special little robe each year.
Samuel was from the tribe of Ephraim.
The two sons of Eli, the priest were corrupt. In fact the entire priesthood seemed to be corrupt. Look at what the two sons did concerning the Lord's offering. And Eli benefited from his son's sins. Not all "godly" men are Godly men. They were taking out the best first for themselves. Connections today???
“Samuel grew up in the presence of the Lord.” What does it mean to grow up in the presence of the Lord?
There is mention of "faithful priest" who will minister before the Lord's anointed. There are many prophetic foreshadowings of the "faithful priest". One of them is the faithful priest Zadok. His descendants will serve before the Messiah in the millennial kingdom.
Ezek 44:15-16
"'But the priests, who are Levites and descendants of Zadok and who faithfully carried out the duties of my sanctuary when the Israelites went astray from me, are to come near to minister before me; they are to stand before me to offer sacrifices of fat and blood, declares the Sovereign LORD. They alone are to enter my sanctuary; they alone are to come near my table to minister before me and perform my service.
These descendants of Zadok will be given this high honor because Zadok was faithful in carrying out his duties in the sanctuary.
How are all of us as Believers doing in carrying out our duties in the midst of spiritual apostasy? Are we as faithful as the priest Zadok?
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