Heroes of Israel / Text of the Hero Stories with Notes and Questions for Young Students

by Theodore Gerald Soares

THE MEANING OF THE STORY

189. We turn to the Books of Samuel, which take their name from one of the great heroes of Israel. He did not write the books, for they contain the story of what happened long after his death, but as he was the noblest character in the books they were named after him.

190 (§58A). At the beginning of this story we learn that Elkanah the husband and Hannah his wife had no children. They had gone up to Shiloh to the sacred building that was called the house of God, and had celebrated a sacred feast. But Hannah was greatly troubled that she had no child. What did she do? What did she promise if she could have a son? We remember from the story of Samson that leaving the hair uncut was a mark that the child was to serve God.

191 (§58A). When Hannah prayed, did she speak aloud? What did Eli, the old priest, think about her? Tell in your own words their conversation.

192 (§58B). The boy whom Hannah longed for was born. What was his name? It was the custom to kill animals at the house of God as a sign of thanksgiving: what did Hannah take with her for this sacrifice? What did she say to Eli? Note that she brings the boy to the old priest to learn the duties of the house of God.

193 (§59). Perhaps the wrong-doing of the priests seems rather difficult to understand. Eli, the old priest, was assisted by his two sons. Their duty was to offer the sacrifices for the people, and they would be allowed part of the meat as their pay. That was one of the ways in which a priest had his living. But these young priests would send their servants to stick a large fork into the pot where the meat was boiling and whatever came out they would take. Or they would take the meat first, before the offering to the Lord had been made, and this was considered a dishonor to the sacrifice. It often happens that public officers are more anxious to get what they can than to do their duty.

194 (§59). How did the father feel about his sons? What did he say to them? What ought he to have done to them? Why did he not do so?

195 (§59). What was happening to Samuel all this time? The linen ephod was a white dress such as a priest would wear. Who made the boy's garments? Think what those happy meetings of the parents and boy once a year must have been.

196 (§60). Imagine how the little church, or temple, was at night. There was a room in which the sacred box called the ark was kept. A lamp burned in this room all night. Samuel had a room near by, where he slept, and old Eli had another. What wonderful thing happened to Samuel one night? Tell it in your own words. Nearly all men and women who have become great have heard calls in some manner in their youth. Joan of Arc, the young girl who saved France from her enemies, thought that she heard God calling to her, though she was only thirteen years of age. This was a vision that Samuel saw in the night. Do you remember the dreams of Joseph? It is often in conscience and in times of thoughtfulness that God speaks to us.

197 (§60). How did Samuel do as Eli had told him? Note that God tells the boy that a great punishment will come upon Eli's family. How was Eli to blame for the wickedness of his sons?

198 (§60). What did Samuel do as soon as he got up in the morning? What does this show us regarding his duties? What did he think about the vision? But old Eli knew that there was something very important that had happened. Tell in your own words the conversation between them. Note that the poor old man can simply say that he must bear what comes upon him. What do you think of Eli?

199 (§61A). With whom did Israel go to war? Locate the country of these enemies on the map. How did the battle come out? The people thought that if they could have the ark with them they could conquer. They thought the Lord would fight for them. Where did they go to get the ark? Who were with the ark?

200 (§61A). When the two priests brought the ark to the camp, what happened? What effect did this have upon the Philistines? What was the result? What happened to the two priests? What happened to the ark?

201 (§61B). When a Hebrew felt very sad he covered his head with dust and tore his dress. Tell the story of how the news of the defeat was brought to Eli. How old was the priest? What was he doing? Why did he care so much about the ark of God? What happened to him? Eli was a noble man himself, but could he not have done better for Israel than he did? Remember that young Samuel was growing up while these things were going on.