The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1915-03-05
LESSON FOR FEBRUARY q
the DEATH OF ELI AND HIS SONS

THE DEATH OF ELI AND HIS SONS
LESSON TEXT Samuel Alb. Is.
GOLDEN TEXT-Be We doors Of ths
word. and not hearers only, deluding your
own s-elves.-James 1:22 r. v.
The Philistines i n the days OF Ell
overran Israel pretty much at will.
All Israel, Gods people, soon knew
that God was speaking through this
new prophet.
!. Nc Help at Ebenezer, w. I, 2. Eb-
enezer was that place where Samuel
later set up the stones of commemo-
ration Il Samuel 7:12). Here the ag-
gressive Philistines overcame and put
to rout the Israelites. Israel had
7:3; Ps. 106:40, AZ. When Gods peo-
pie neglect him they weaken them
selves and easily become the prey of
their enemies. Full often the church
of today stands defeated and dis
graced, nay ever turns it's back to the
enemy, because it harbors sin and
sinners in it's ranks Josh. 7:12).
u. Seeking Help, w. SO. If Israel
really desired to know the cause OF
their discontinue they did not need to
go far to seek it. The trouble was that
it Il. Cor. 11:31). The reasoning
upon the part of these elders seems
to be, why have we, Israelites, been
smitten by these Philistines who are
not Gods chosen people?" 1t was
absurd and unjust for them to have
to suffer. We hear this same sort
of reasoning today, whereas God would
have us probe deeper and search u
hearts, for If we regard iniquity in
our hearts the Lord will not hear US.
At Shiloh, Eli is caring for the ark,
and with the fatalism and superstition
that will govern the ungodly, Israel
sends for it that 1t may save u.s.
". -. The ark contained the tables
of the law and was the symbol Of the
presence of God eek. ~25:10-22). Their
| trust was in the ark and not in the
| God of the ark. Such is ever the dan
ger of Journalism in religion. To carry
the ark about Jericho trusting in Je-
hovah, was quite different from har-
boring the sons of Eli, yet thinking
that God could not let the ark be
captured. The churches of Jul and
are the saving salt, but "if the salt
hath lost its SAVIOUR" If Hophni and
Phinehas bear the ark, nothing but
defeat and disgrace can be expected,
| though the enemy may tremble ". -.
The Philistines were strong enough
to smite because of the weakness Of
Israel. They recognized the shouts
and remembered the mighty deeds OF
Jehovah, which exploits would have
been repeated had Israel truly turned
to God. There was good reason for
the Philistines to fear. But God was
not on the side of Israel at that time.
The Philistines began to exhort them
selves. Their call ". 81 was a good
one and was used later by Paul Il Cor.
1919. For them not to do anything
was to be captured by their former
slaves. If they fought, they could but
die. Such fatalistic courage would
have availed but little, had God been
with his chosen people at that time.
III. The Lost Battle, W.. 1911. God
would not succor his chosen people,
nor defend the symbols of religion
when the spirit and heart of that re-
ligion had departed Cps. 78:56-64).
The two ~reprobate sons of Eli were
slain as a punishment for their sins
and in fuilfllment OF the word of God
(chapter 2:12; 3:13, 14). Their pun
ishment came in connection with the
same holy service they had defiled.
These bad sons Of a good father
abused their holy Office, profaned the
sanctuary and brought the true re-
ligion into contempt with the people.
Eli was partly at fault but these
young men suffered the fate of those
who hate knowledge" and will mot
choose the fear of the Lord" and their
removal was a blessing for Israel
which somewhat compensated for its
defeat. Doubtless the Philistines
boosted when they took the ark from
the people of God, but chapters five
and six contain the record of their
mistake.
~. The Death Of Ell, w. 1918. The
aged Ell, now ninety-eight years old,
was anxiously awaiting news of the
battle, 'for his heart tremb1ed for the
ark of Cod" This anxiety was quite
| unnecessary ". 49,. God can take
care of his ark. ELI had reason, how
ever, to tremble for Israel and his
wicked sons. He is An illustration Of
those indulgent parents who refuse
to use discipline in tho are Of their
children. A lovatle character cannot
atone for weakness o will remon-
ZaA.EL.2 So A-ASkas - Q-~1-4 G-@A