You Can Trust Your Brothers - LEARN FROM THOSE WHO MAINTAINED THEIR TRUST IN OTHERS

Have you ever been disappointed by the conduct of a responsible brother?  If so, you may benefit by considering the example of Hannah. The foremost spiritual authority at the time in Israel was High Priest Eli.  But  he did not have an exemplary family. His sons, who were serving in appointed positions, regularly engaged in disgraceful  immoral conduct;   yet, their father did little to correct them. Jehovah sdid not immediately remove Eli  from office. Still, Hannah did not turn her back on God'sc arrangement by refyusing to worship at the tabernacle as long as Eli was the high priest. When Eli saw Hannah praying in distress, he wrongly concluded that she was drunk.  Without stopping to check the facts, he criticized this distraught woman.  (1 Samuel 1:12-16) Even so, Hannah vowed that if she had a son, she would bring him to serve at the tabernacle, where he wold be under the care of Eli. (1 Samuel 1:11)  Did the matter involving Eli's sons need to be corrected? Yes, and Jeovah took acton in due time. (1 Samuel 4:17) Meanwhile, God rewarded Hannah with a son, Samuel. - 1 SAMUEL 1:17-20.

Have you ever felt betrayed by a close friend? If you have, consider King David's experience.  One of  his friends was a man named Ahithophel. But when David's son Absalom tried to take the kingship away from his father, Ahithophel joined Absalom in the rebellion.  What a blow it must have been to David  to lose the support of both his son and a man he consdered to be a friend!  David, though, did not allow this betrayal to stop him from  trusting others.  He continued to trust another loyal friend. Hushai, who refused to join the revolt.  David's confidence was well-founded. Hushai proved to be  a good friend, even risking his life to help David. - 2 SAMUEL 17:1-16.

Next time: You Can Trust Your Brothers - LEARN FROM THOSE WHO MAINTAINED TRUST IN OTHER- Conclusion

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