Now is an appropriate time to begin asking yourself about how someone then becomes a man of God. If we are to be men such as this, aren’t we always maturing? When do we end our childhood and admit that we are actually full grown? Is there a point when this happens? Can we ever know?
Much of this will be addressed in the fourth and final portion of our study, but it’s absolutely crucial that we use this time to examine the process of infancy to adulthood. In order to do this, we’re going to look at a family in the mountains of Samaria.
“Now there was a certain man of Ramathaimzophim, of mount Ephraim, and his name [was] Elkanah, the son of Jeroham, the son of Elihu, the son of Tohu, the son of Zuph, an Ephrathite: And he had two wives; the name of the one [was] Hannah, and the name of the other Peninnah: and Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children.” I Samuel 1:1-2
This, along with the next few verses, really gives us a backdrop for the maturing process more than anything else. In the mountains of Ephraim (otherwise later known as Samaria), a man named Elkanah has two wives. One has children and the other does not. We quickly learn that although Hannah has no children, he loves her more than the wife who has children.
“And when the time was that Elkanah offered (sacrifices of worship and sacrifice unto the Lord), he gave to Peninnah his wife, and to all her sons and her daughters, portions: But unto Hannah he gave a worthy portion; for he loved Hannah: but the Lord had shut up her womb. And her adversary also provoked her sore, for to make her fret, because the Lord had shut up her womb. And [as] he did so year by year, when she went up to the house of the Lord, so she provoked her; therefore she wept, and did not eat.” I Samuel 1:4-5
Perhaps it would be one thing to have love and not enjoy the pleasure of one’s own children if there is contentment. But in the case of Hannah, the second wife continues to provoke her from year to year until she can do nothing but weep and desire for that which she does not have.
“Then said Elkanah her husband to her, Hannah, why weepest thou? And why eatest thou not? And why is thy heart grieved? [am] not I better to thee than ten sons? So Hannah rose up after they had eaten in Shiloh, and after they had drunk. Now Eli the priest sat upon the seat by a post of the temple of the Lord. And she [was] in bitterness of soul, and prayed unto the Lord, and wept sore.” I Samuel 1:8-10
If you can picture the image in your mind, it’s about sundown and Hannah leaves the dinner table to take her concerns before the Lord “in bitterness of soul.” So she prays with great passion:
“And she vowed a vow, and said, O Lord of hosts, if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thine handmaid, and remember me, and not forget thine handmaid, but wilt give unto thine handmaid a man child, then I will give him unto the Lord all the days of his life, and there shall no razor come upon his head.” I Samuel 1:11
Here we find the roots of our counterpart, the Woman of God. Even prior to conception, a plan is put in place that if the Lord will open her womb to conceive a boy (or “man child”), she will give that child over to the Lord all the days of his life. Some of you will remember the next few verses as they show Eli watching her pray from a distance. He comes to believe that she must be drunk because it appears that she is babbling in silence.
9 When he confronts her on the inappropriate behavior, she states her case as a “pouring of her soul” before the Lord.
“Then Eli answered and said, Go in peace: and the God of Israel grant [thee] thy petition that thou hast asked of him. And she said, Let thine handmaid find grace in thy sight. So the woman went her way, and did eat, and her countenance was no more [sad]. And they rose up in the morning early, and worshipped before the Lord, and returned, and came to their house to Ramah: and Elkanah knew Hannah his wife; and the Lord remembered her.” I Samuel 1:17-19
She had asked to be remembered (1:11) and the Lord did just that.
“Wherefore it came to pass, when the time was come about after Hannah had conceived, that she bare a son, and called his name Samuel, [saying], because I have asked him of the Lord.” I Samuel 1:20
So begins the journey of little Samuel under the prayers of a godly mother. Watch closely now as the little kernels of God’s Word appear in the Biblical text.
“And the man Elkanah, and all his house, went up to offer unto the Lord the yearly sacrifice, and his vow. But Hannah went not up; for she said unto her husband, [I will not go up] until the child be weaned, and [then] I will bring him, that he may appear before the Lord, and there abide forever. And Elkanah her husband said unto her, Do what seemeth thee good; tarry until thou have weaned him; only the Lord establish his word. So the woman abode, and gave her son suck until she weaned him.” I Samuel 1:21-23
Notice here that although Hannah had made a vow to the Lord regarding her son, she would not take the infant up to the temple in Shiloh until he had been weaned. Weaned from what? Samuel was to be weaned from the milk that was essential to his early survival.
“Whom shall He teach knowledge? And whom shall He make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts.” Isaiah 28:9
Both Hannah and her husband knew that Samuel could not be of any benefit to the Lord until he had first been “weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts.” But take note of what Elkanah says to his wife after agreeing. “Only the Lord establish His Word.” Does it seem a little provocative to consider that the establishment of God’s Word is discussed as a contrast to an infant needing to be weaned from milk? Perhaps you remember the following passage:
“For every one that useth milk is unskillful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.” Hebrews 5:13
Hannah had no other children at this point, but she knew her responsibility to “wean” Samuel from the breast so that he would actually be ready for the Lord to establish His Word.
“And when she had weaned him, she took him up with her… and brought him unto the house of the Lord in Shiloh: and the child [was] young. And they slew a Bullock, and brought the child to Eli.” I Samuel 1:24-25
Now fully able to survive without milk alone, the child is turned over to Eli in the house of the Lord. Thus, we have watched a baby grow into a child.
The second chapter of I Samuel is quite intriguing because it tells the story of Eli’s crumbling family ministry and all the while, little Samuel grows up in the same house with tidbits of his own storyline. As we read about the brokenness of Eli’s family, we’re given the privilege of watching a little child ministering to the needs of the house.
“And Elkanah went to Ramah to his house. And the child did minister unto the Lord before Eli the priest.” I Samuel 2:12
“But Samuel ministered before the Lord, being a child, girded with a linen ephod. Moreover his mother made him a little coat, and brought to him from year to year, when she came up with her husband to offer the yearly sacrifice.” I Samuel 2:18-19
“And the Lord visited Hannah, so that she conceived, and bare three sons and two daughters. And the child Samuel grew before the Lord.” I Samuel 2:21
“And the child Samuel grew on, and was in favor both with the Lord, and also with men.” I Samuel 2:26
Four times in the midst of a turbulent home we see reference to the growing child and his relationship to the Lord. How, one might ask, could a child minister to the Lord without maturity? In order to answer this, we must look at a couple of passages regarding ministry.
“And the damsel [was] very fair, and cherished the king, and ministered to him: but the king knew her not.” I Kings 1:4
“And the pots, and the shovels, and the snuffers, and the spoons, and all the vessels of brass wherewith they ministered, took they away.” II Kings 25:14
Earlier we read that young Samuel was dressed in a linen ephod. The ephod was the white or purple garment given to various levels of the priesthood. He was a child of Bethlehem, an Ephrathite, who was not part of priestly lineage. Thus, when he wore the garments given him by Eli, this was not because he fit the bill or because he was destined to become a priest. Rather, because he was a child in need of clothing (more of which came from his mother as she traveled to the temple each year and provided a coat). His ministry, then, was subjective to those in authority.
The passage in I Kings refers to a damsel who had a ministry to the king and yet the king knew her not. II Kings suggests that men ministered through the use of pots and pans. How are these things a ministry? Perhaps this is where, for the first time, you may stop and consider that ministry is not relegated to the brilliant, the well-studied, or the aged. The child Samuel was a ministry to Eli and the Lord for reasons that can only be speculated, but in the midst of this broken home, it’s reasonable to consider that Samuel “ministered” through hope as any child might represent the possibilities of a family’s restoration. Yet, the most amazing truth is made known in the first few verses of the third chapter.
“And the child Samuel ministered unto the Lord before Eli. And the word of the Lord was precious in those days; there was no open vision.” I Samuel 3:1
First and most important is the fact that divine communication was not in play at this time. The “word of the Lord” was precious because it was all they had to rely on. No such “voice” was to be expected during this time as there was “no open vision.” Thus, God’s supernatural connection with men would not be unexpected by anyone. Especially a child.
“And it came to pass at that time, when Eli was laid down in his place, and his eyes began to wax dim, that he could not see; And ere the lamp of God went out in the temple of the Lord, where the ark of God was, and Samuel was laid down to sleep;” I Samuel 3:2-3
If you read carefully the first three verses, what you’ll notice is a three-fold darkness upon those who should otherwise be prepared to hear the voice of the Lord.
1. No Open Vision (Scriptural Darkness)
2. Eli’s Blindness (Physical Darkness)
3. The Lamp of God (Spiritual Darkness)
Perhaps you momentarily hesitate from drawing conclusions too quickly about these different levels of darkness. By no means do they mean to reflect an absolute, but they are meant to incite one to consider what is about to happen. Bible students are often very familiar with David’s famous words found in the Psalms:
“Thy word [is] a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” Psalm 119:105
If the lamp of God has gone out, then there is no light by which one might be confident that God’s Word is being spoken.
“That the Lord called Samuel: and he answered and, Here am I. And he ran unto Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou calledst me. And he said I called not; lie down again. And he went and lay down. And the Lord called yet again, Samuel. And Samuel arose and went to Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou didst call me. And he answered, I called not, my son; lie down again.” I Samuel 3:4-6
By the time you reach verse 6, most of us are already asking ourselves, “Why doesn’t the kid just figure it out already? He’s been ministering to the Lord, so why not just respond?” And then we read verse 7:
“Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord, neither was the word of the Lord yet revealed unto him.” I Samuel 3:7
These types of things should absolutely jump out at you. He’s been a blessing, he’s been a ministry, he’s been a young servant in the temple, and here God is calling to him directly. Yet, the Scriptures say that he did “not yet know the Lord” and that the “word of the Lord” had not yet been revealed to him. Talk about a shocking and sobering reality for many readers.
Samuel did not know the Lord, but for one reason alone… because the “word of the Lord” had not been revealed to him. How else would we expect that he should have known God? Should acts of service, ministry, or one’s growth imply that he has knowledge of the one he serves? Surely not. Knowledge of God comes through His revealed Word and not through any other means.
“And the Lord called to Samuel again the third time. And he arose and went to Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou didst call me. And Eli perceived that the Lord had called the child. Therefore Eli said unto Samuel, Go, lie down: and it shall be, if he call thee, that thou shalt say, Speak, Lord; for thy servant heareth. So Samuel went and lay down in his place. And the Lord came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel answered, Speak; for thy servant heareth.” I Samuel 3:8-10
Finally, we all say, the child figured it out. But notice something had happened this time that hadn’t happened at other times. On the fourth call, the Lord came and “stood” in the room of absolute darkness. He did not simply make the call and wait for a response; he actually came into Samuel’s living space and stood. At this point, we might imagine that the Word to be given would include some sort of introduction and friendly remarks.
“And the Lord said to Samuel, Behold, I will do a thing in Israel, at which both the ears of every one that heareth it shall tingle. In that day I will perform against Eli all things which I have spoken concerning his house: when I begin, I will also make an end. For I have told him that I will judge his house forever for the iniquity which he knoweth; because his sons made themselves vile, and he restrained them not. And therefore I have sworn unto the house of Eli, that the iniquity of Eli’s house shall not be purged with sacrifice nor offering forever.” I Samuel 3:11-14
If you’ve ever attended a Bible study where the content was incredibly heavy, imagine Samuel’s overwhelming reaction to this. He has grown up ministering to the Lord in a broken home and is now being told that Eli, his sons, and his house will be judged according to their known iniquity that was not restrained. There were no soft words of encouragement by the Lord; just a strong message to deliver. As you might imagine, Samuel’s first experience with the Lord was not exactly the ideal first conversation.
“And Samuel lay until the morning, and opened the doors of the house of the Lord. And Samuel feared to show Eli the vision.” I Samuel 3:15
The scenario could not be more troubling to this young child. Surely we read that he “lay until morning,” but you almost get the sense that he laid there without sleeping a wink. For when he finally arose, Samuel opened the doors of the house as if to leave for fear that Eli might ask him something he was afraid to show.
Recall earlier that there was “no open vision” at this time and that Eli had such poor eyes that he could not see. Thus, when Samuel feared to
show Eli the vision, he was fearful of telling him the Word of God. “Showing a vision” meant relaying a message from the Lord as
new revelation that was not previously made known.
Without a moment to leave the house, Eli calls to Samuel and asks to hear the message. The child spoke immediately of all that had been given to him by the Word of the Lord. In turn, we see a new phase of Samuel’s development.
“And Samuel grew, and the Lord was with him, and did let none of his words fall to the ground. And all Israel from Dan even to Beer-sheba knew that Samuel was established to be a prophet of the Lord. And the Lord appeared again in Shiloh: for the Lord revealed himself to Samuel in Shiloh by the word of the Lord. And the word of Samuel came to all Israel.” I Samuel 3:19-4:1
From this point forward, Samuel grew in the Lord, but by way of a very different experience than the one that had existed previously. Now he was growing by way of God’s Word. His establishment in the Word became known among all Israel.
By the time we reach Chapter 9, readers are introduced to a young man named Saul who was lost and in search of some assistance. The young servant with him speaks and for the first time, we see Samuel referred to in a way never before mentioned.
“And he (the servant) said unto him (Saul), Behold now, there is in this city a man of God, and he is an honorable man; all that he saith cometh surely to pass: now let us go thither; peradventure he can show us our way that we should go.” I Samuel 9:6
When does a child become a man? And more importantly to our story, at what point does Samuel cease to be seen as a child and is now known as a “man of God?” If we pan back just one chapter, we see that by physical standards, Samuel is definitely no longer a child.
“And Samuel judged Israel all the days of his life.” I Samuel 7:15
“And it came to pass, when Samuel was old, that he made his sons judges over Israel.” I Samuel 8:1
When Saul arrives in town in need of some assistance, it is he and his companion who note Samuel as a “man of God.” But his reputation is due to something we saw just a moment ago. The servant had said, “He can show us our way” that they might know where to go. Significance of this detail is crucial to our understanding of the man of God. During the second part of this study, we learned about the “profitable man” and how he can only be a man of something specific if and when he is able to be of some benefit to someone other than himself. Here, for the first time, though he has long been in service to Israel, he is defined as a “man of God” because his life’s purpose has become about “showing the way” or “showing the vision” that others might know the Word of God.
The remainder of this particular chapter carries the point through to completion. Saul arrived in Samuel’s company not knowing that the Lord had already spoken about this encounter to the man of God. For it was at this time that Saul was to find he had been selected as “captain” over Israel in order to engage war with the Philistines. Just before the future king of Israel left, the following words capped off their conversation:
“And as they were going down to the end of the city, Samuel said to Saul, Bid the servant pass on before us, (and he passed on,) but stand thou still a while, that I may show thee the word of God.” I Samuel 9:27
At what point did a ministering child to the Lord become a man of God? Without question, this took place when he began showing others the Word of God. So it is that we should draw a lesson regarding the maturing man and the mature man. The Man of God is he who knows the Lord and can show others His Word. As time permits, please take advantage of any opportunity to read through those passage which reflect the value of God’s Word to all men.
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