Bro. Bruce's commentaries for the books of Genesis, Exodus, and Leviticus are
now available in hard copy for $7.50. Just mail your request for COMMENTARY ON GENESIS to the address above.

1SAMUEL

1 And Hannah prayed, and said, My heart rejoiceth in the LORD, mine horn is exalted in the LORD: my mouth is enlarged over mine enemies; because I rejoice in thy salvation. 2 There is none holy as the LORD: for there is none beside thee: neither is there any rock like our God. 3 Talk no more so exceeding proudly; let not arrogancy come out of your mouth: for the LORD is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed. 4 The bows of the mighty men are broken, and they that stumbled are girded with strength. 5 They that were full have hired out themselves for bread; and they that were hungry ceased: so that the barren hath born seven; and she that hath many children is waxed feeble. 6 The LORD killeth, and maketh alive: he bringeth down to the grave, and bringeth up. 7 The LORD maketh poor, and maketh rich: he bringeth low, and lifteth up. 8 He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill, to set them among princes, and to make them inherit the throne of glory: for the pillars of the earth are the LORD's, and he hath set the world upon them. 9 He will keep the feet of his saints, and the wicked shall be silent in darkness; for by strength shall no man prevail. 10 The adversaries of the LORD shall be broken to pieces; out of heaven shall he thunder upon them: the LORD shall judge the ends of the earth; and he shall give strength unto his king, and exalt the horn of his anointed.

Hannah may be saddened by having to give her child away, but she is very happy in the Lord. Here she writes a very beautiful song. It is a song of thanksgiving, and also a song of prophetic nature.
He who trusts in the Lord can be confident of ultimate victory over enemies (verse 1).
God is perfect and a perfectly solid foundation for our souls (verse 2).
Pride and arrogancy have no place with God, and He will crush those who "bully" others (verses 3-4).
God has a way of righting wrongs and correcting incorrect social standards (verse 5).
It is GOD Who determines the life and place of each individual (veses 6-8).
God will "keep the feet" (establish the way) of those who belong to Him, and He will ultimately banish the wicked into outer darkness forever (verse 9).
God will one day physically judge this earth and all inhabitants from all time. In that day, the eternal Diety of Christ will be known (proven) to ALL men, and He will be lifted up above all (verse 10).

11 And Elkanah went to Ramah to his house. And the child did minister unto the LORD before Eli the priest.

Ekanah and Hanna returned home, and Samuel stayed with Eli. Obviously he was trained in all aspects of the work of the Levite.

12 Now the sons of Eli were sons of Belial; they knew not the LORD. 13 And the priests' custom with the people was, that, when any man offered sacrifice, the priest's servant came, while the flesh was in seething, with a fleshhook of three teeth in his hand; 14 And he struck it into the pan, or kettle, or caldron, or pot; all that the fleshhook brought up the priest took for himself. So they did in Shiloh unto all the Israelites that came thither. 15 Also before they burnt the fat, the priest's servant came, and said to the man that sacrificed, Give flesh to roast for the priest; for he will not have sodden flesh of thee, but raw. 16 And if any man said unto him, Let them not fail to burn the fat presently, and then take as much as thy soul desireth; then he would answer him, Nay; but thou shalt give it me now: and if not, I will take it by force. 17 Wherefore the sin of the young men was very great before the LORD: for men abhorred the offering of the LORD.

Eli's sons (Hophni & Phinehas) are described as "men of Belial," which is a term in the Old testament that refers to "worthless men." They are NOT COUNTED as men of God. They wer guilty of abusing the priest's privilege in receiving a portion of the sacrifices (verses 14-15). They actually threatened force if anyone refused their practices (verse 16).
Because of their abuse, the men of Israel began to detest bringing their sacrifices and offerings (verse 17).
Now, all sin is abhorrent to God. But, yes, there are degrees of sin. The Bible says here that these men's sin was "GREAT before the Lord." They KNEW the right thing to do, but REFUSED to do it!
[[[[LISTEN!! HEAR THIS!!!!! This kind of thing happens far too much today. Tithes and offerings should go to the CHURCH. And the CHURCH as a CORPORATE BODY should determine what to do with all the funds. Budgeting and all financial determinations should be made by the CORPORATE BODY, NOT by the pastor or by the deacons! Rotating financial committees should be utilized, and an organizational statement that defines general utilization of funds should be in the church organizational charter or constitution. There is an AWFUL TEMPTATION for men to use church money in power plays! Pastors and other officers of the church are EASILY tempted to use "pressure tactics" with God's money. The right kind of church charter or constitution will REDUCE that temptation.]]]]

18 But Samuel ministered before the LORD, being a child, girded with a linen ephod. 19 Moreover his mother made him a little coat, and brought it to him from year to year, when she came up with her husband to offer the yearly sacrifice. 20 And Eli blessed Elkanah and his wife, and said, The LORD give thee seed of this woman for the loan which is lent to the LORD. And they went unto their own home.

Samuel was faithful as a child to do all that Eli requested of him. he was given a special apron, and his mother and father visited from time to time. When they visited, they brought him a "coat" that his mother had made.

21 And the LORD visited Hannah, so that she conceived, and bare three sons and two daughters. And the child Samuel grew before the LORD. 22 Now Eli was very old, and heard all that his sons did unto all Israel; and how they lay with the women that assembled at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.

Eli took note of their devotion year after year. And he requested of God that they receive other children. God answered and Hannah gave birth to three more sons and two daughters! Good pastors will notice devoted Christians and diligently pray for them and their needs.
This reminds me of the statement Jesus made in Matthew 25:21, "...thou good and faithful servant: thou has been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things..."

23 And he said unto them, Why do ye such things? for I hear of your evil dealings by all this people. 24 Nay, my sons; for it is no good report that I hear: ye make the LORD's people to transgress. 25 If one man sin against another, the judge shall judge him: but if a man sin against the LORD, who shall intreat for him? Notwithstanding they hearkened not unto the voice of their father, because the LORD would slay them.

Eli reproved his sons. He really laid a good "tongue lashing" on them. But Eli didn't REMOVE them from their priest's offices.
Eli indicated that what his sons were doing was "high" sin against God. And no one stands as intercessor between persons and God when the person KNOWS better and still refuses to submit to God (verse 25).
Since they would not listen, and they were defiling the office of God's priests, God would SLAY them (verse 25).
Friends, this is a SERIOUS matter; And especially today, when God has bought Christians through Christ's blood and given them the office of PRIEST!

"Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are."(1Corinthians 3:16-17)