Samuel and Eli

I was reading in 1 Samuel 3 the other night. Many of us know the story of young Samuel and Eli the temple priest. Both lay down to sleep and through that night there came a call, 'Samuel.' The boy Samuel, thinking Eli had called him, went to Eli's room to find that Eli had not called him. He went back and lay down and returned not only a second but also a third time. At this third visit, Eli sensing that Samuel was being spoken to by the Lord, said, 'if he call thee...say, Speak, Lord; for thy servant heareth.' (v.9)

Now there is much to be learned here. Samuel obeyed the very FIRST time. He also remained diligent and obeyed each subsequent time. So much faith and dedication! Having said that, there is something that caught my attention even more than that.

In the next few verses we read that Samuel received a message, a rather harsh message, concerning his mentor Eli: 'I will perform against Eli all things which I have spoken concerning his house...because his sons made themselves vile, and he restrained them not.'

That next morning Eli asked Samuel to tell him 'the thing that the Lord hath said unto [him].' (v. 17) Can you imagine how scared Samuel must have been to tell Eli what the Lord had said? Verse 15 tells us, 'And Samuel feared to shew Eli the vision.' But despite Samuel's fear he 'told him every whit, and hid nothing from him.' (v. 18) I am impressed by the courage and love this young boy had in telling Eli 'every whit.' But what impresses me even more is Eli's response. Put yourself in Eli's shoes for a moment. He was the temple priest; Samuel was just a kid. Who was Samuel to be counseling Eli and prophesying against him? But listen closely to Eli's response. He said: 'It is the Lord: let him do what seemeth him good.'

Wow! Such humility! Eli could have been puffed up in anger and pride to hear such words, but instead he reacted with meekness and submissiveness. I believe they both loved and cared for each other enough to be ungrudgingly open to receive counsel and correction and, when moved upon by the spirit, even be willing to give it.

W. Somerset Maugham said: "People ask you for criticism, but they only want praise." I hope that's not entirely true for me. I feel I have been blessed with so many deep relationships. I pray I will be open to receive some much needed counsel and correction and to also be loving and courageous enough to give it when moved upon by the spirit.