IMITATE THEIR FAITH

"Ministering Before Jehovah, as a Boy"

Samuel had an unusual childhood. Shortly after he was weaned, at perhaps four years of age or so, he began a life of service at the sacred tabernacle of Jehovah at Shiloh, over 20 miles from his home in Ramah.  His parents, Elkanah and Hannah, dedicated their boy to Jehovah in a special form or service, making him a lifelong Nazarite. Did this mean that Samuel was cast off, unloved by his parents. 

Far from it! they knew that their son would be cared for at Shiloh. High Priest Eli no doubt supervised matters,  for Samuel worked closely with him. There were also a number of women who served in some connection with the tabernacle, evidently in an organized way. - Exodus 38:8.  

Furthermore, Hannah and Elkanah never forgot their beloved firstborn, whose very birth was an answer to a prayer. Hannah had asked God for a son, promising to dedicate the boy to God in a life of sacred service. When visiting each year, Hannah brought Samuel a new sleeveless coat she had made for his tabernacle service. The little boy surely cherished those visits. He no doubt thrived on his parent's loving encouragement and guidance as they taught him what a privilege it was to serve Jehovah in that unique place.

Parents today can a lot from Hannah and Elkanah.  It is common for parents to focus all their childbearing efforts on material concerns while ignoring spiritual needs.  But Samuel's parents put spiritual matters first, and that had a great bearing on the kind of man their son grew up to be. - Proverbs 22:6. 

We can picture the boy growing bigger and exploring the hills around Shiloh. As he gazed down on the town and the valley that spread  out below it on one side, his heart likely swelled with joy and pride when he caught sight of Jehovah's tabernacle.  That tabernacle was a sacred place  indeed.  Built nearly 400 years earlier under the direction of Moses himself, it was the once center for the pure worship of Jehovah in all the world. 

Young Samuel grew to love the tabernacle.  In the account he later wrote, we read:  "Samuel was ministering before Jehovah, as a boy having a linen ephod girded on." (Samuel 2:18) That simple sleeveless garment was evidently a mark that Samuel assisted the priests at the tabernacle. Although not of the priestly class, Samuel had duties  that included opening the doors to the tabernacle courtyard in the morning and attending to elderly Eli. As much as he enjoyed the privileges, though, in time his innocent heart became troubled. Something was terribly wrong in Jehovah's house.

Next time: IMITATE THEIR FAITH - Staying Pure In the Face of Corruption

From the Watchtower magazine, 2010