By: Tom Chantry on Wednesday 4/4/07

Samuel grows up in a worse moral environment than his parents imagined.

As the story of Samuel's childhood continues, the reader is confronted with two diametrically opposed stories intertwined with one another. On the one hand he discovers the moral depth to which unbelieving priests once sank. Certainly the church must take great care of its worship and its ministry if it is to avoid making a mockery of biblical religion. But on the other hand, the reader sees that God's blessing rested upon Samuel, who grew up committed to the service of the Lord. We may only marvel at the sovereign provision of God for the spiritual needs of His people.