RISING AND FALLING - This is the story of the emergence of Samuel who will galvanize Israel from charismatic and sporadic leadership into a theocracy mediated through a single person. But as he grows into Israel’s prophet, young Samuel’s predecessor Eli, begins his journey toward an eclipse of influence. Notice the irony in this structure-the very one who nurtures Samuel’s faith is the one whom Samuel will displace.

THE BOY GREW AND GREW AND GREW - Notice how the writer informs us in a sequential sort of way how Samuel grew in spirit and manhood-the boy ministered to the LORD (2:11), the boy grew in the presence of the LORD (2:21), and the boy Samuel continued to grow both in stature and in favor with the LORD (2:26), and Samuel grew, and the LORD was with him and let none of his words fall to the ground. (3:19). With each succeeding statement we discover a more detailed description of Samuel growing under God’s care.

COUNTERPOINT - The under-theme of this passage is the failure of the old priestly order of Eli and sons. We can observe several shortcomings of the old priest-his misreading of Hannah’s desperation (1:13), the disgusting behavior of his sons, Hophni and Phinehas who exploit women and sacrifices under the guise of the priesthood (vs. 22-25), and Eli’s seeming inability to control his sons.

Samuel grew up in the presence of God, the writer tells us. In what ways might that be said about your life? [1]

Prayerfully recall how God has been quietly present in your life in times of distress or loneliness as well as in times of progress and achievement.

Do you picture a judgmental or a loving Presence, an intimate or a somewhat distant God?

Choose at what level you want this passage to inform the homily. That is, theologically speaking this passage tells of the ending of one form of spiritual leadership and the beginning of a new leadership. But also, the actual larger story could be the focus; the homily could refract something of the contrast that the writer makes between Samuel and the sons of Eli and how growth in the presence of God is so critical. You may, however, choose to pull the two boy growth-stories together (Samuel and Jesus) and explore how Hannah and Samuel’s family, and Eli on one hand, and Mary and Joseph, family members, and teachers in the Temple together helped to shape these young person’s growth-just as we need growth stimuli from various family members, community, and friends if we want to fully grow.

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[1] Adapted from The Spiritual Formation Bible (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1999), page 349.