Tag: Eli

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Wisdom Prayer

Right From Wrong!

Right From Wrong!

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom to know right from wrong and to live according to doing the right things. In Jesus’ name, amen.

The two sons of Eli, the priest, Hophni and Phinehas, did wrong in the sight of the Lord.

Israel went to battle the Philistines. At a point, the Philistines were winning. In 1 Samuel 4:1-9 we learn some fighters went to the elders of Israel and asked them to bring the Arc of the Covenant from Shiloh to be near the fighting. Eli’s sons were with the arc.

When the arc arrived, the Philistines heard the shouts coming from the camp of Israel. At first, the Philistines felt intimidated and recalled how the Lord had brought plagues on Egypt.

1 Samuel 4:10-11 (ESV) tells what happened next.

“So the Philistines fought, and Israel was defeated, and they fled, every man to his home. And there was a very great slaughter, for thirty thousand foot soldiers of Israel fell. 11 And the arc of God was captured, and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, died.”

We learn in 1 Samuel 4:18 (ESV) a man of Benjamin ran and came to Shiloh. He told Eli and others what happened.

“As soon as he mentioned the ark of God, Eli fell over backward from his seat by the side of the gate, and his neck was broken and he died, for the man was old and heavy. He had judged Israel forty years.”

So ends the story of Eli and his sons.

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Wisdom Prayer

Called By The Lord!

Called By The Lord!

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who are called by the Lord. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Samuel kept waking up and running to Eli, the priest. “Here I am, for you called me.”

But Eli had not called, so he told Samuel to go back to sleep. Yet, it happened more than a few times…and Eli finally told Samuel in 1 Samuel 3:9 (ESV),

“Therefore Eli said to Samuel, “Go, lie down, and if he calls you, you shall say, ‘Speak, Lord, for your servant hears.’” So Samuel went and lay down in his place.”

The Lord called again, and he told Samuel that Eli’s sons would be killed. Then, Eli asked Samuel what the Lord had said, and Samuel told Eli his sons would die. Eli accepted the news.

In 1 Samuel 3:19-21 (ESV) we see who will take over for Eli, the priest.

“And Samuel grew, and the Lord was with him and let none of his words fall to the ground. And all Israel from Dan to Beersheba knew that Samuel was established as a prophet of the Lord. And the Lord appeared again at Shiloh, for the Lord revealed himself to Samuel at Shiloh by the word of the Lord.”

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Wisdom Prayer

Grow in Stature and in Favor!

Grow in Stature and in Favor!

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who, like Samuel, grow in favor with the Lord. In Jesus name, amen.

In 1 Samuel 1:1-20 Hannah prays and Eli’s sons prove unworthy to be priests. Eli rebukes his sons after hearing they engaged in unholy, sinful behavior.

In 1 Samuel 1:25 (ESV) we learn what Eli’s tells his sons, and what will be become of them.

“If someone sins against a man, God will mediate for him, but if someone sins against the Lord, who can intercede for him?” But they would not listen to the voice of their father, for it was the will of the Lord to put them to death.”

We also learn about what became of Samuel in 1 Samuel 1:26 (ESV).

“Now the boy Samuel continued to grow both in stature and in favor with the Lord and also with man.”

Eli, could not save his unfaithful sons from their fate. Yet, while Eli’s sons were going their own way, Samuel is going up and fining favor with the Lord.

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Wisdom Prayer

Vow to the Lord!

Vow to the Lord!

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who keep their vows to the Lord. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Hannah made a vow to the Lord. She asked the Lord for a child. She conceived and Samuel was born. After Samuel had been weaned, Hannah took him to the House of the Lord at Shiloh and made sacrifices. Then she brought him to Eli the priest.

1 Samuel 1:26-28 (ESV) tells what Hannah said when she presented Samuel to Eli.

“And she said, “Oh, my lord! As you live, my lord, I am the woman who was standing here in your presence, praying to the Lord. For this child I prayed, and the Lord has granted me my petition that I made to him. Therefore I have lent him to the Lord. As long as he lives, he is lent to the Lord.”

Hannah lent Samuel to the Lord.

As Samuel grew up, he would used by Lord as a prophet.

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Wisdom Prayer

Great Anxiety and Vexation!

Great Anxiety and Vexation!

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for all those who have great anxiety and vexation. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Hannah had no children and according to 1 Samuel 1:14-18 (ESV) she was in distress. Eli, the priest, was sitting at the entrance to the temple when he observed her. At first, he thought she was drunk. After she explained, she came away with a blessing.

“And Eli said to her, “How long will you go on being drunk? Put your wine away from you.” But Hannah answered, No, my lord, I am a woman troubled in spirit. I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but I have been pouring out my soul before the Lord. Do not regard your servant as a worthless woman, for all along I have been speaking out of my great anxiety and vexation.’ Then Eli answered, ‘Go in peace, and the God of Israel grant your petition that you have made to him.’ And she said, ‘Let your servant find favor in your eyes.’ Then the woman went her way and ate, and her face was no longer sad.”

Eli encouraged Hanna. Eventually, she became pregnant with Samuel, and dedicated him to the Lord as she promised.

God’s timing is always perfect. If you are anxious and vexed, trust him with all of your heart.

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