Chapter 57—The Ark Taken by the Philistines
This chapter is based on
1 Samuel 3
to
7
.
Another warning was to be given to Eli’s house. God could not
communicate with the high priest and his sons; their sins, like a thick
cloud, had shut out the presence of His Holy Spirit. But in the midst
of evil the child Samuel remained true to Heaven, and the message
of condemnation to the house of Eli was Samuel’s commission as a
prophet of the Most High.
“The word of the Lord was precious in those days; there was no
open vision. 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; that the Lord called
Samuel.” Supposing the voice to be that of Eli, the child hastened to
the bedside of the priest, saying, “Here am I; for thou calledst me.”
The answer was, “I called not, my son; lie down again.” Three times
Samuel was called, and thrice he responded in like manner. And then
Eli was convinced that the mysterious call was the voice of God. The
Lord had passed by His chosen servant, the man of hoary hairs, to
commune with a child. This in itself was a bitter yet deserved rebuke
to Eli and his house.
No feeling of envy or jealousy was awakened in Eli’s heart. He
directed Samuel to answer, if again called, “Speak, Lord; for Thy ser-
vant heareth.” Once more the voice was heard, and the child answered,
“Speak; for Thy servant heareth.” So awed was he at the thought that
the great God should speak to him that he could not remember the
exact words which Eli bade him say.
“And the Lord said to Samuel, Behold, I will do a thing in Israel, at
which both the ears of everyone 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
[582]
that I will judge his house forever for the iniquity which he knoweth;
524