Written by David Self Monday, 08 September :00 - Last Updated Thursday, 04 September :56

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1 Explore the Bible Lesson Preview September 14, 2008 "Serving the Lord Faithfully" Background: 1 Samuel 2:12-4:1a Lesson: 1 Samuel 3:1-10, 15-4:1a Motivation: In this passage we see a great contrast between the sham service of Eli's sons with the holy call of Samuel. It's very helpful to us in Christian service to learn from other's mistakes rather than live to learn from our own. I. Straying Sons (2:12-26) A. Eli's Son's Sins (2:12-17) 1. Indictment "Now the sons of Eli were corrupt; they did not know the Lord" (12)Literally, they were sons of Belial. When Eli had supposed that Hannah was drunk, she protested "Do not consider your maidservant a wickedwoman" (1:16). Believer's Study Bible, p. 379: 1:16 "The phrase wicked woman' is literally daughter of Belial,'a term of derision (cf. Judg. 10:13; 1 Sam. 10:27). In later Jewish writings Belial' became aproper name of Satan (cf. 2 Cor. 6:14-15). Here, however, it is apparently a compound of two Hebrew words meaning without worth.'" 1 / 8

2 What greater indictment of supposed servants of Godthan "they did not know the Lord?" The calling of every believer should beto know Him and make Him known. (Matt. 7:21-23) 2. Instructions "And the priests' custom before the people was..." (13) Go d's law was clear that priests were to begiven a portion of the sacrificial animal (Ex. 29:26-28; Lev. 3:3; Nu. 18:18;Deut. 18:3). While there's no specificinstruction about the three-pronged hook, the symbolism is clear. The priest was to trust God for his portion. Not only did Eli's son short-circuit the faith processby demanding the meat before it was presented to God (15), but they alsorefused to burn the fat in outright defiance of the law (Deut. 7:23-36). J.Vernon McGee writes "They were totallydishonest in the Lord's work. They wererunning one of the first religious rackets." ( Thru the Bible, vol. 2, p. 127) 3. Implications "Therefore the sin of the young men was very great before the Lord, formen abhorred the offerings of the Lord " (17) J. Vernon McGee, p. 127:"Their dishonesty caused many people to turn from God. The Israelites saw what Eli's sons were doingat the tabernacle and, instead of being drawn closer to the Lord, they weredriven away. Friends, we need to becareful about how we live our lives and how we run our churches. This idea of shutting our eyes to sin in thechurch and trying to cover it up just drives people away from God. That is one of the protests of our youngpeople today." (Prov. 28:13) 2 / 8

3 B. Samuel's Growth and Ministry (2:18-21, 26) "Thechild Samuel grew in stature, and in favor both with the Lord and men " (26)By wearing a priest's " ephod " (18),Samuel was identified as an official of the tabernacle, complete with"uniform." In contrast to the wickedsons of Eli, Samuel had a proper horizontal as well as vertical relationship.(luke 1:80, 2:40) Believer's Study Bible, p. 381: 2:18 "The ephod' in this verse was a linen robe or covering whichwas worn by someone in priestly service (cf. Ex. 28:4-28; 2 Sam. 6:14). An apparently different meaning for ephod'is required in Judg. 8:27; 17:5; 18:14. In these passages it seems that the ephod had become cast in metal andmade an object of idolatry." C. Failures of Eli's Family (22-25) In verse 12, we learned that Eli's sons "were corrupt, they did not know the Lord." Now we have further charges against them: " they lay with the women who assembled atthe door of the tabernacle of meeting. " (22) The charge was more serious than simpleimmorality. The sons of Eli wereimitating the pagan fertility cults that considered immorality with culticprostitutes to be an act of worship. Ultimately, Eli's sons were defining God and worship on their own termsrather than on His. Eli realized theseriousness of their actions in verse 25 " Ifa man sins against the Lord, who will intercede for him? " Believer'sStudy Bible, p. 381: 2:25 "Thesecond part of this verse does not indicate that this sin was predetermined 3 / 8

4 andinescapable. As in the statement that the Lord hardened the heart of Pharaoh' (Ex. 9:12), these words describe a manwho chooses his own course and justly receives the consequent action of God." II. Disgraced Family (2:27-36) Inthese verses, Eli lost his position (31) as well as his sons (34, cf.22:13-20). Such terrible judgment isrooted in one question " Why do you...honor your sons more than me? " (29). Perhaps there's a lesson for today'sparents! They take children to teamsports on Sunday mornings, regularly take their family out of church for a long-weekend', and justify skipping church in order to have some "familytime." When our children realize thatwe're honoring them above God, they are done irreparable harm! Regarding the change in priesthood, Believer's Study Bible,p. 382: 2:35 "Abiathar, David'sfaithful priest, was a descendant of Aaron through Ithamar. He was later banished by Solomon, and Zadok,a descendant of Aaron through Eleazar (1 Chr. 24:6), became the only highpriest (1 Kin. 2:26, 27; cf. Ezek. 44:9-16). The priestly line of Eli then yielded completely to the Zadokitepriesthood. The fact that Abiathar wasallowed to live fulfilled v. 33. Thebroad context of the book would suggest that Samuel was the faithful priest'prophesied here. The fact that his house' did not continue, however, calls for further fulfillment of theprophecy. The traditional view is thatthe prophecy finds its ultimate fulfillment in Christ, who is both Priest andking (cf. Ps. 110; Heb. 5:6). The surehouse' of His priesthood here may, then, be compared to the house of Davidestablished forever according to 2 Sam. 7:16, both houses being fulfilled inchrist. 4 / 8

5 A reference to Zadok is also inview here, according to 1 Kin. 2:27. Zadokite priests continued to servethroughout the monarchy and, according to Ezek. 44:15, will serve in themillennial temple." Jesus is a prophet,priest and potentate (I Tim. 6; 14-16). III. Samuel's Prophetic Call (3:1-21) Oftentold as a children's story, the call of Samuel should speak to adults as well. A. AConditional Call "the word of the Lord was rare in those days"(1) Because of the sin in the house of God, His call was not to Eli nor to hissons, He called one boy, " amuel." S B. A CompellingCall "And the Lord called Samuel again the third time" (8) At this point," Samuel did not know the Lord " (7),even though he worked in God's house. With patience and loving kindness, God reached out to Samuel again andagain. (II Pet. 3:9) Believer's Study Bible, p. 383: 3:7 "Samuel certainly knew about God,but until now he had had no personal experience with the living God. Religious training, though important, cannever substitute for a personal encounter with the God of grace." 3:9 "Eli, at length, discerned the source of the voice calling Samuel. Recognizing the call of God is not alwayseasy. 5 / 8

6 Here Eli performed faithfully as awitness, and Samuel was instructed to return and indicate his willingness tohear whatever God would say." C. A CondemningCall "the iniquity of Eli's house shall not be atoned for by sacrifice oroffering forever " (14) The substance of God's message to Samuel is verysimilar to the prophet's message to Eli in 2: Perhaps God wanted His message confirmed by asecond witness. Samuel's loyalty to Eliis commendable (15); however, true love is willing to offer correction as wellas mercy. D. A ConsecratedCall "What is the word that the Lord spoke to you?" (17) Believer'sStudy Bible, p. 383: 3:17 "God do so to you and more also" is afamiliar oath formula (cf. Ruth 1:17; 1 Sam. 14:44; 20:13; 25:22; 2 Sam. 3:9,35; 19:13; 1 Kin. 2:23; 2 Kin. 6:31). The speaker calls for a terrible fate to befall someone if the oath isnot fulfilled. The word so' wasprobably accompanied by some symbolic action. E. A CelebratedCall "And all Israel...knewthat Samuel had been established as a prophet of the Lord" (20; 4:1a) If God calls you, His Body will recognizethe call. God was doing "a new thing" inisrael. The period of the judges has come to aclose; God will now raise up a monarchy. Samuel's service as both priest and prophet is a tribute to hisobedience and desire to please God. Application: 6 / 8

7 1. God honors our continued earnest prayer (James 5:16). 2. God desires obedience and sincerity of heart (1 Samuel 15:22). 3. God calls all of us to His service (Rom. 12:1-2). Leader Pack Item 5: Poster: Lesson Outline; Illustrator:(no article) Notes: **You may access David's Lesson Previewin MP3 format at: Dates: 9/14 -Joan Bunson's 50 th Anniversary Reception; 9/14/21/28 - XEE Connecting Life; 9 /21 - Parent Commitment & Reception; 9/27 - HFBC Night at Minute Maid Park; 10/3 - Bill Glass Appreciation Dinner; 10/5 - Lord's Supper; 10/ Women's Omni Westside; 10/18 - Shaping Your Child's Character; 11/2 - Fall Back (time change Sun.); 11/7 - FBA Veteran's Recognition Service; 11/ Southern Baptists of Texas Convention; 11/16 - Parent Commitment & Reception; 11/30 - Thanksgiving - one service (10 am) plus Ascend, no Bible classes; 12/6 - MTC Christmas Store; 12/6 - Christmas 6:00; 12/13 -Preschoolers Christmas Party; 12/ / 8

8 - FBA Lower School Christmas Program; 12/ FBA Primary School Christmas Program; 12/20 - Shane & Shane Concert 7:00; 12/24 - Christmas Eve Services - 5:00 & 11pm; 12/28 - Christmas/New Year's weekend - All three worship services,no Bible classes. 8 / 8