[1 Samuel 1-2]

H – 1 Samuel 2:35, “And I will raise up for myself a faithful priest, who shall do according to what is in my heart and in my mind. And I will build him a sure house, and he shall go in and out before my anointed forever.”

E – Faithful Father and Priest!!!!!

The story of Eli and his two sons in light Elkanah, Hannah, and Samuel is convicting. Let’s look at the difference. 

Hannah desired a child and vowed if the Lord would ever allow it she would give him to the Lord all the days of his life, taking on the Nazarite vow (1:11). She made her mind and heart up that her child belonged to the Lord. And now, totally surrendering her child to the Lord, this Samuel grew in the presence of the Lord (2:21)

Eli, a chosen priest from the lineage of Levi, had two sons (Hophni and Phinehas). According to scripture these sons were worthless and wicked men (2:12). And, from reading, there is a clear picture why. 

1. Eli did not Disciple them. He was not a faithful father, nor Priest. These sons did not know the Lord (2:12); which means that they just went through the motions that their father allowed. Apparently Eli didn’t take the time to teach them the things of God. He spent his time teaching them the customs he allowed into his ministry (2:13), instead of the commandments that God had called him to. Thus, these sons treated all things given and done to the Lord with contempt (2:17). 

2. Eli did not Discipline them. Now automatically when a lot of people hear the word discipline they’re tempted to bug out. Many think discipline in form of some type of physical abuse, like a good ole whipping. But that’s not always the case. I would encourage you to take your Bible and read Hebrews 12:3-11. Seriously, do it now!! None the less, there was such a lack of discipline that these sons would not listen to the voice of their father (2:25), doing wicked godless things. And yet, Eli still let them serve. The Lord God had a Word for Eli, “you honor your sons above me” (2:29). 

The Lord would have no more of it. The Lord sent a man of God to tell Eli what was about to happen and it wasn’t good. All of the descendants of his house, including him, were about to die and the Lord would raise up a faithful priest, who would do what was in the Lord’s heart and mind and not his own. 

A – I remember the words of one of my Pastor friends. He said, “Jonathan, you can disciple the whole world, but if you fail to disciple your children then you have failed.” I want my children to know the Lord. Not by what I say, but by what I say and do. I don’t want to be a fake. I don’t want to be one person at church (as a priest) and another person at home (as a father). I never want my children to question my integrity, nor act out my unfaithfulness. The only way that can happen is if I am part of a godly disciple process in their life. 

Discipline is necessary. There has to be learned consequences for disobedience. Now again, this does not always mean physical discipline, although I don’t “lovingly” mind it. There is a lot that can be learned through a child by teaching and equipping through other actions. But as a father I need to be careful not to honor my children above God. They are His and I need to treat them that way. 

R – Lord God, thank you for loving me. Lord, help me to be a faithful father and Priest. Father, forgive me for when I have not been a either. Help me be reminded that my children belong to you. Raise up my family to be mighty warriors for King Jesus. 

In Jesus Name!