The Scriptures: A Character I Love
Describe your favorite character from the scriptures.
The story of Samuel from the Bible has always fascinated me. He was truly called as a prophet when he was very young and led a righteous life. He was destined for great things even before he was born.
His mother and father, Hannah and Elkenah, were righteous parents. Just like Sarah, Abraham's wife, Hannah was barren throughout her life and never had any children. This didn't stop her from petitioning the Lord at the tabernacle. In her prayer, she vowed that her offspring would lead a life consecrated to the Lord. Eli, the Priest who worked at the temple saw Hannah praying and thought she was drunk. However, seeing that she wasn't, he blessed her and said that God would grant her her desires.
She was blessed, and the Lord did remember her. When Samuel was old enough, he was given in service to the temple. He was even shown how to become the first youngest temple worker. Eli was righteous but his sons were not, despite Eli's constant pleadings. I find it hard to believe that Eli didn't try to stop his sons from being unrighteous. But, his sons would not listen to him and soon his sons were lost. Did Eli do all he could? I hope so. Although, he acted like a good father to Samuel when Samuel abode with him at the tabernacle.
What happens next always leaves me astounded. Samuel, a little boy or teen by this point, Hears the voice of the Lord. The first two times he runs to Eli, the master of the house, to see if he called him. Eli, seeing what this could mean, told Samuel to answer the Lord.
When he did, the Lord appeared to Samuel and told him that he was calling him to be a prophet. What an experience! I believe in prayer before and after scripture study, not to mention morning and evening and meal prayers. I know that if we listen carefully, the Holy Ghost will speak the word of the Lord to our hearts. Just like his invitation to Joseph Smith and countless others, "This is my beloved Son, Hear Him."
Lastly, the prophet Samuel played a role in choosing (with the Lord's help) David to be king after Saul died. This is the same David that slew Goliath, who falls in line as one of the progenitors of Christ, and who gave us a lot of the amazing poetry in Psalms. If you remember the story, Jesse, David's father, had a lot of sons. Samuel came to visit Jesse in hopes of finding the next king of Israel. One after another of Jesse's sons came into the house, each looking buffer than the next. But each one was denied by the Lord. This is where the adage came from the Lord to Samuel: The Lord looketh on the heart.
Then David came in, maybe scrawny and young, but Samuel knew he was who the Lord chose. When Samuel knew he found him, immediately he anointed David's head with oil and blessed him. And this is how Israel found a new king.
I love the story of Samuel. It shows me that the Lord is ever present in our lives. That He loves us and wants what is best for his children and consecrated servants. Prayers do work and are answered. Sometimes we don't know where they are coming from and we need a nudge in the right direction.
The story of Samuel from the Bible has always fascinated me. He was truly called as a prophet when he was very young and led a righteous life. He was destined for great things even before he was born.
His mother and father, Hannah and Elkenah, were righteous parents. Just like Sarah, Abraham's wife, Hannah was barren throughout her life and never had any children. This didn't stop her from petitioning the Lord at the tabernacle. In her prayer, she vowed that her offspring would lead a life consecrated to the Lord. Eli, the Priest who worked at the temple saw Hannah praying and thought she was drunk. However, seeing that she wasn't, he blessed her and said that God would grant her her desires.
She was blessed, and the Lord did remember her. When Samuel was old enough, he was given in service to the temple. He was even shown how to become the first youngest temple worker. Eli was righteous but his sons were not, despite Eli's constant pleadings. I find it hard to believe that Eli didn't try to stop his sons from being unrighteous. But, his sons would not listen to him and soon his sons were lost. Did Eli do all he could? I hope so. Although, he acted like a good father to Samuel when Samuel abode with him at the tabernacle.
What happens next always leaves me astounded. Samuel, a little boy or teen by this point, Hears the voice of the Lord. The first two times he runs to Eli, the master of the house, to see if he called him. Eli, seeing what this could mean, told Samuel to answer the Lord.
Lastly, the prophet Samuel played a role in choosing (with the Lord's help) David to be king after Saul died. This is the same David that slew Goliath, who falls in line as one of the progenitors of Christ, and who gave us a lot of the amazing poetry in Psalms. If you remember the story, Jesse, David's father, had a lot of sons. Samuel came to visit Jesse in hopes of finding the next king of Israel. One after another of Jesse's sons came into the house, each looking buffer than the next. But each one was denied by the Lord. This is where the adage came from the Lord to Samuel: The Lord looketh on the heart.
Then David came in, maybe scrawny and young, but Samuel knew he was who the Lord chose. When Samuel knew he found him, immediately he anointed David's head with oil and blessed him. And this is how Israel found a new king.I love the story of Samuel. It shows me that the Lord is ever present in our lives. That He loves us and wants what is best for his children and consecrated servants. Prayers do work and are answered. Sometimes we don't know where they are coming from and we need a nudge in the right direction.
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