Sermon Bible Commentary
1 Samuel 2:21
(with 1 Samuel 2:26)
Early growth in grace and knowledge, the training up of a child in the fear and nurture of the Lord and in the praise of His holy name; this is the great lesson which is exemplified in the early life of Samuel.
I. Let us first recall who Samuel was. (1) He was the child of Hannah, given in answer to her fervent prayer. (2) His very name "Samuel," which means "asked of God," reminds us of his mother's piety and his own. (3) From his birth he was dedicated to God's service.
II. Observe further, how God communicated with Samuel. Three several times did the Lord call Samuel by name. It was a terrible message that God gave the young child to deliver, but he told it, every whit. Those who have the care of children should early impress them with the thought that God sees them, that He is about their bed and about their path. Teach them to hear God's voice betimes, and to obey His movement in their souls.
R. D. B. Rawnsley, Village Sermons,3rd series, p. 130.
One of the most beautiful things that God has made in the world is growth, and the world is full of it. God did not make a great Samuel at once, but a little child Samuel, who grew before Him. I will speak of four thoughts as included in growing before the Lord.
I. Samuel grew at the Lord's House. At this time there was no temple. There was the tabernacle, with the court round about, where the burnt offerings were consumed on the altar. But, also, there must have been chambers for the priests, and their servants, the Levites. In one of these Samuel lived. Eli's dwelling must have been close beside the sacred court with its altar and holy places of the Lord's tabernacle.
II. Samuel grew in the Lord's sight. This means that the Lord was pleased to see Samuel grow as he did. "Grow in grace" is the Apostle's word. Growth in love is the true progress; for love is holiness, and holiness is light, and light is God.
III. Samuel grew by the Lord's grace. His mother had lent him to the Lord, and the Lord saw to his growing.
IV. Samuel grew for the Lord's service. (1) Little services from little people are acceptable to God. (2) The little grows by and by to the great.
J. Edmond, Sermons Preached at the Dedication of Union Chapel, Islington,p. 68 (C.S.)
Reference: 1 Samuel 2:22. J. Bainton, Christian World Pulpit,vol. xxii., p. 150.