“And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left in thine house shall come and crouch to him for a piece of silver and a morsel of bread, and shall say, Put me, I pray thee, into one of the priests’ offices, that I may eat a piece of bread.”
Divine Judgment:God foretells the consequences that would befall Eli’s house. The phrase “every one that is left in thine house” refers to those who survive the judgment that God would bring upon Eli’s family. They would come to Samuel, who would become a prophet and judge in Israel, and humbly seek his help and provision. The mention of “crouch” implies a posture of submission and humility.
Desperation for a Position:The verse highlights the desperation that would grip the surviving members of Eli’s house. They would be willing to humble themselves and request a humble position, such as being put into one of the priests’ offices, merely to have their basic needs met, represented by a piece of bread. This portrays the severity of the judgment and the dire circumstances that would befall Eli’s descendants.
Spiritual Lesson:The verse teaches us several important spiritual lessons. Firstly, it emphasises the principle of divine judgment. God holds us accountable for our actions, and there are consequences for disobedience. Eli’s sons had shown utter disrespect for God’s commands and abused their priestly office, leading to the judgment upon their family. Secondly, the verse reminds us of the importance of humility before God. The surviving members of Eli’s house were humbled to the point of seeking a lowly position just for sustenance. This serves as a reminder that humility is crucial in our relationship with God. We should never take His grace and provisions for granted but approach Him with a humble and contrite heart. Lastly, the verse foreshadows the rise of Samuel as a faithful servant of God. Despite the judgment on Eli’s house, God would raise up Samuel as a prophet, judge, and leader of Israel. It highlights God’s faithfulness in raising up righteous leaders and preserving a remnant of His people even in times of judgment.
Overall, 1 Samuel 2:36 teaches us about divine judgment, the importance of humility, and God’s faithfulness in raising up righteous leaders. It serves as a reminder to live in obedience to God’s commands and seek Him with a humble heart.
