Story 74: The High Priest E'li And The Boy Sam'u-el lll

   In the birth of this son Han'nah gave to the world one of the greatest characters of Biblical history. Sam'u-el was destined to become the chief interest of God in leading Is'ra-el from a disordered group of twelve rival tribes into a strongly united nation. While silently pleading with the LORD, Han'nah had said in her heart, "If thou wilt give thine handmaid a man-child, then I will give him unto the LORD all the days of his life." In her deep consecration she had promised that the most cherished gift of her heart would be returnt to the Divine; that God's gift to her would be her consecrated gift to God.
   For the first three years of Sam'u-el's life Han'nah watched over him tenderly, not even going up to Shi'loh for the annual feast days and sacrifices unto God.
   When Sam'u-el was about three years old, his father and mother prepared special offerings to be made unto the LORD, and carried the young child to the Tabernacle at Shi'loh. Han'nah told E'li that she was the woman who had come to the Temple years before to pray for a son, and acknowledged God's favor in giving her the child. Sam'u-el was then dedicated to the service of the LORD, and was left in the Tabernacle to be trained for his mission by ministering unto the LORD before E'li. Han'nah and her husband returnt to their home in Ra'mah, where unceasing prayer was made for their young son. Once a year, when Han'nah went up to Shi'loh for the sacrifices, she brought a little robe for her son.
   Through the days of his childhood and youth Sam'u-el was constantly engaged in the services of the LORD'S house. In E'li's declining years he became the personal assistant and companion of the aged priest. There grew between them a deep and abiding affection, and E'li looked upon the boy as if he were a beloved son, for his own sons had long since disgraced themselves by evil deeds.

Story 74: The High Priest E'li And The Boy Sam'u-el ll

   An unnamed messenger of the LORD was sent to E'li with a solemn warning that the wickedness of his sons would end in their death on the same day. But even this stern warning fell upon deaf ears, so weak was E'li in the discipline of his wicked sons.
   There was living in the days of E'li, at the little town of Ra'mah in the mountains of E' phra-im, a devout man by the name of El'ka-nah. He was a direct descendant of Ko'hath of the tribe of Le'vi, but for some unknown reason did not serve as a Le'vite. He was fairly prosperous, was faithful in his religious duties, and took his family up to Shi'loh for regular worship and sacrifice unto the LORD. In spite of the notorious unworthiness of those who acted as priests he did not neglect the duty of worship.
   El'ka-nah was the husband of two wives, Han'nah and Pe-nin'nah. He had probably married Pe-nin'nah because of Han'nah's childlessness, as this was common practice in those days. From the time of Creation it has always been wrong for any man to have more than one wife; even though El'ka-nah was justified by the customs of his times, he could not escape the sure punishment which follows the violation of God's law. So the little home in Ra'mah, though prosperous and devout, was not happy.
   The plural marriage of El'ka-nah embittered the life of the home, bringing unhappiness to every member of the family. Han'nah was the lawful and favorite wife, so Pe-nin'nah was jealous of her; Han'nah, moreover, was jealous because Pe-nin'nah had children, while she had none. As we have already learnt, children were regarded by the He'brews as a sign of His favor, while to have no children was a reproach and a disgrace. Han'nah was continually taunted by Pe-nin'nah, and in her distress of spirit sought help from the LORD in prayer.
   One year when El'ka-nah's family had gone up to Shi'loh for worship and sacrifice, Han'nah lingered in the tabernacle in great bitterness of soul, earnestly pleading with God to take away her reproach. So deep was her anguish, and so intense her prayer, that she uttered no sound with her lips, but spake in her heart to the LORD.
   When the aged priest E'li saw Han'nah lying prostrate in the tabernacle, her lips silently moving, and tears streaming down her face, he thought that she was the victim of strong drink, and spoke harshly to her. Although she must have been deeply wounded by the false accusation of the one person in the world from whom she might have expected sympathy and understanding, her reply was calm and respectful.
   In the deep sorrow of her heart she did not tell the High Priest the reason for her anguish and fervent prayers, but asked only that she be recognized as a "handmaiden of the LORD," and that He pronounce a blessing upon her. E'li's attitude was completely changed, and the stern rebuke spoken in ignorance was turnt into a Heavenly Benediction as he said to her, "Go in peace, and the God of Is'ra-el grant thee the petition that thou hast asked of Him." God answered Han'nah's prayer, and in the course of time she became the mother of a son whom she gave the name Sam'u-el, which means "asked of the LORD."

Story 74: The High Priest E'li And The Boy Sam'u-el l

   About thirty years before Sam'son began to rule in the west and southwestern parts of Is'ra-el, there was raised to the office of High Priest in Shi'loh a man named E'li. He held this position for forty years, the last ten of which coincided with the first ten years of Sam'son's twenty year reign. During his tenure of office as High Priest in the tabernacle he also held a place of much influence in the nation as a magistrate. Strictly speaking, he was not a "Judge," although it is said that he "judged Is'ra-el for forty years." This statement is due to the fact that during his priesthood there was no Judge whose reign extended over the entire land. In his priestly office, therefore, E'li advised the people in respect to civil matters, and decided over legal problems.
   The time had now come for great changes in the national life of Is'ra-el. For nearly three hundred years there had been no centralized national authority, and the tribes had been very loosely related to one another and to the nation. What is known as the "Period of Judges" had witnessed many disgraceful sins, frequent lapses into idolatry, constant failures to uphold True Religion; and the country had suffered periodic invasions and oppressions from the heathen nations adjoining their land.
   But in spite of the bloodshed, lawlessness, and superstition of that troubled period, it is easy to trace the progress of God's plan for uniting the widely separated and disordered tribes of Is'ra-el. Running through the entire story is the thread of God's purpose to purify the nation which was to become the great religious teacher of the world, and in whose land the Sav'ior was to be born. Chief among the factors which had brought the tribes into greater unity were their common faith in the religion of Je-ho'vah, their sense of racial unity, the pressure of common danger from foreign oppressors, and the brave leadership of great heroes raised up by God.
   The tribes of the west and southwest were oppressed by occasional raids from the Phi-lis'tines, but there was no general war nor invasions of the land by foreign nations. A general state of irreverence and religious decline prevailed throughout the land, but notable exceptions to this rule are seen in the stories of Na-o'mi, Bo'az and Ruth. The LORD was preparing Is'ra-el for a great religious awakening, and for a closer union of worship and nationality.
   The stories drawn from the books of Sam'u-el cover important events in the period which led to the formation of the great Is'ra-el-it-ish monarchy under Saul as the first king.
   As we learnt in previous chapters, the office of High Priest of Is'ra-el was held exclusively by descendants of Aa'ron, and that this honor was given to the eldest son of each generation, unless there were good reasons why he could not serve. In the case of E'li, he was a descendant of Ith'a-mar, the youngest son of Aa'ron. The rank was probably given to him because at the death of the last High Priest of the family of E-le-a'zer, the eldest son of Aa'ron, his son was too young or inexperienced to assume the office.
   E'li was a devout and pious man of God, and served the people with honor for a long period of time. He was lacking, however, in one very important respect: he was careless in the religious training of his sons, failing to restrain them from ways of immorality and blasphemy. For these failures he was severely punished, and his family doomed to lose their priestly heritage.
   In his declining years E'li turnt over many duties of the priesthood to his two sons, Hoph'ni and Phin'e-has. Even while performing these sacred duties, they acted very wickedly. They were greedy, selfish, and depraved in conduct. They brought religion into disrepute and contempt, and caused the people to "abhor the offering of the LORD." Reports of their doings were brought to E'li, but he merely remonstrated with them in a feeble manner, letting them go on in their evil ways. He was not only High Priest, but a magistrate in Is'ra-el, and should have sternly punished his sons, who were so wicked that the Bible record speaks of them as "sons of Be'li-al who knew not the LORD."

Story 73: The Marriage Of Ruth And Bo'az ll

   There was one other serious impediment in the way of the marriage of Ruth and Bo'az. Another Is'ra-el-ite, who was a nearer kinsman to Mah'lon, was entitled to the heart and hand of Ruth; only after he had given up all claims to this right and responsibility could Bo'az legally proceed with the marriage which he desired so much.
   It is Bo'az who takes the leading part in the final act of this fascinating drama. Throughout the story his character has stood out in superb glory, but now it shines forth in the brilliance of the noonday sun. We have seen him as a successful farmer; honoring, and honored by, his workmen; we have looked upon him in his generous regard for the poor, quick to perceive virtue and to honor it; he has lived and walked before us as a deeply religious and wholly righteous man, wise and self-controlled; and we have admired him as a manly and sincere lover, always pure in thought and deed.
   Now we are to behold him as a hero dealing fairly with a rival, meeting with honor every requirement of the laws of his people, and acting as a redeemer for the woman he loved. Going at once to the place of civil judgment, he acted in a spirit of candor and fair dealing. In the presence of witnesses he stated the facts, giving the lawful heir to Mah'lon's inheritance, which included the obligation of taking Ruth as a wife, a fair opportunity to claim all that the law allowed him.
   When the kinsman of Mah'lon refused to carry out his responsibilities in the Lev'i-rate Marriage, Bo'az paid the required redemption fee, and he and Ruth were married at once.
   There was born to them a son whom they called O'bed, who later became the father of Jes'se, and the grandfather of Da'vid, the great king of Is'ra-el. Thus Bo'az and Ruth became the ancestors of a long line of kings who ruled over Is'ra-el and Ju'dah, and of the Mes-si'ah who came into the world to save mankind from sin and to head a great Spiritual Kingdom.

Story 73: The Marriage Of Ruth And Bo'az l

   Na-o'mi was very happy when Ruth told her in whose field she had gleaned, and of the courtesy shown her by the owner. Bo'az had also been kind to E-lim'e-lech before the family had gone to Mo'ab, and Na-o'mi called this to mind with deep gratitude for God's continued goodness.
   The law of Lev'i-rate Marriage was a custom of the Is'ra-el-ites which required the closest unmarried male relative of a man who died without children to purchase the family inheritance and to marry the widow. Na-o'mi knew of this law, but seems to have thought at first that it would not apply to Ruth, who belonged to a foreign nation. After Ruth was converted to the Jewish religion, however, and because the friendship with Bo'az seemed to be ordered by Divine Providence, Na-o'mi felt that the law should be carried out for the benefit of her son's widow. She therefore encouraged Ruth in her friendship with the noble and highly respected kinsman of her deceased husband, and the courtship which followed had her blessing.
   It is evident that neither Na-o'mi nor Ruth resorted to any questionable designs on the heart of Bo'az. Na-o'mi did not direct Ruth in the choice of the field in which she gleaned, nor did Ruth know to whom the field belonged when she entered it. Her application was made to the steward in charge of the harvest. Bo'az himself took the first steps in their acquaintance and in the close friendship which grew among them. Ruth did not know of his relation to her deceased husband, nor did she know of the law of Lev'i-rate Marriage. The growth of their friendship was the natural result of the love and respect which they felt for one another.
   In taking such an active part in guiding Ruth in her relations with Bo'az, Na-o'mi performed a solemn duty of both religion and friendship. Under the religious laws of her people her dead son Mah'lon had certain claims upon Bo'az, and she hastened to press these claims. In her deep love for Ruth she felt it her duty to make sure that adequate provision was taken for her future security and happiness.
   Under the laws of Lev'i-rate Marriage it was customary for the woman to take the lead in presenting her claims. Although Bo'az had shown warm affection for Ruth, she must make the first move in offering to become his wife. She was modest and timid, so the customary procedure in this matter had to be arranged by her mother-in-law Na-o'mi. The method adopted by Na-o'mi was wholly proper under Oriental customs; though it might be frowned upon today, the purity and honor of the entire procedure is proved by its happy result.
   Ruth modestly confessed the love and esteem which existed between them, asked for the guardianship and protection to which she was entitled from him, and sincerely renounced the claims of all others. In his reply Bo'az showed complete respect for the will and law of God, praised Ruth for her kindness and virtue, and promised to remove all obstacles to her early marriage.

Story 72: The Beautiful Story Of Na-o'mi, Ruth, and Bo'az lll

   Na-o'mi was given a hearty and gracious welcome by her relatives and friends. She was glad to be back among them, but in her heart-broken state over the loss of her husband and two sons, she cried, "Do not call me Na-o'mi, but call me Ma'ra: for the Almighty hath dealt very bitterly with me." The name Na-o'mi means "pleasantness", while Ma'ra means "bitterness". Adding to these sorrows was the impoverished condition of the two widows. Since there was no one else to provide a livelihood for them, Ruth was obliged to look for some kind of work.
   The hand of Providence directed Ruth to glean in one of the fields owned by Bo'az. She received permission from the steward in charge of the reapers to gather scattered barley behind the harvesters. In the hot, broiling sun she worked hard all day, not even taking time to return to her home for a brief rest. Toward evening Bo'az went out into the field to see what progress had been made by his reapers, and greetings were exchanged with all his workers. Attracted by the patient toil of a stranger among the women who were gleaning in the field, he asked of his steward. "Whose damsel is this, and what is her nationality?" He was told that she was the woman of Mo'ab who had returnt with Na-o'mi. He had heard many favorable comments concerning her, but up to this time had not been given an opportunity of meeting her.
   Bo'az walked over to where Ruth was gleaning, but she was so busy that she did not hear him when he first spoke to her. Then he spoke again saying, "Hearest thou not, my daughter?" He told her to continue to glean in his field, and to avoid the fields of others. He then tenderly assured her that he had arranged for her protection, and kindly asked her to take refreshment from the water brought into the fields for the harvest hands. Ruth courteously expressed her thanks for this favor, bowing her head to the ground in the custom which prevailed in those days.
   Then followed in the harvest field a romantic conversion which is unrivaled in all other stories. The words of Bo'az were thoughtful, respectful, and deeply religious.
   With great tenderness Bo'az asked Ruth to share his hospitality in the meal which he had brought to the field. He also tactfully ordered his reapers to see that enough grain was purposely left behind them to give Ruth an abundance of food when she returnt in the evening to the home of her moth-in-law.
   Ruth continued to glean in the fields of Bo'az throughout the harvest season. The admiration of Bo'az for the charm and virtue of this woman of Mo'ab soon developed into deep affection. Ruth, moreover, soon fell deeply in love with Bo'az, not merely because he had been kind to her, but because she had found him worthy of her heart.

Story 72: The Beautiful Story Of Na-o'mi, Ruth, And Bo'az ll

   News came to Na-o'mi that the famine was ended in the land of Ju'dah, and she began to feel a strong impulse to return to her native land and kindred. For ten years she had lived in a foreign land without complaint, but now she longed to go home. Tenderly she told Ruth and Or'pah of her decision, and advised them to return to their parents. They were young, so Na-o'mi expressed the hope that they would find good husbands among their own people, and that the blessings of God would rest upon them.
   Ruth and Or'pah loved Na-o'mi so deeply, and their relations with her had been so friendly, that they could not bear the thought of being separated from her. They begged Na-o'mi either to stay with them in Mo'ab, or else to let them go back with her to the land of Ju'dah. When she insisted in returning to her native land, they both journeyed with her to the border between Mo'ab and Is'ra-el. It was truly a touching scene when they reached the place and time for final partings. Or'pah yielded to the advice of her mother-in-law, bade her a fond farewell, and went back to live among her own people. But Ruth clung to Na-o'mi, refused to leave her, and poured the depth of her love into these beautiful words:
               "Entreat me not to leave thee,
               Or to return from following after thee:
               For whither thou goest, I will go;
               And where thou lodgest, I will lodge;
               Thy people shall be my people,
               And thy God my God:
               Where thou diest, will I die,
               And there will I be buried:
               The LORD do so to me, and more also,
               If ought but death part thee and me."
   Na-o'mi graciously accepted this wonderful appeal, and the two women journeyed together on the road to the Dead Sea, walked along the borders of this Sea to the north, crossed the Jor'dan, and made their way up the rugged mountain road to the little town of Beth'le-hem.
   The scene changes again to this lovely Jewish town and the surrounding country side. Ruth, in her wholehearted love for Na-o'mi and for Na-o'mi's God, had given up her nationality, the gods of her fathers, and the hope of marriage among her own people; by these sacrifices she proved her desire to become an Is'ra-el-ite in spirit and in practice. With noble unselfishness she began a life of toil and self-denial in her new home, thinking only of the welfare and security of her mother-in-law.
   With many fond hopes Na-o'mi took Ruth into the full enjoyment of her rights as an Is'ra-el-ite, and planned for her marriage to some member of the family of E-lim'e-lech in order to provide an heir to the rights and honors of Ruth's deceased husband.