The sins of the sons of Samuel

THE SINS OF THE SONS OF SAMUEL

                      (1 Samuel 8:1-5)

When Samuel became old, he made his two sons, Joel and Abijah priests to carry out his duties on his behalf just like Eli before him did. Joel and Abijah judged in Beersheba.

The sons of Samuel did not walk in the ways of their father. Instead, they followed after worldly things. They took bribes and perverted justice.

In reaction to the irresponsible behavior of the children of Samuel, all the elders of Israel got together and went to Samuel. They reminded him of how he had become old and how he had made his two sons priests over the people. Then they told him how his children were not walking in the ways of their father, how they took bribes and perverted justice. Therefore, they demanded from Samuel to give them a king like all the nations that had surrounded them.

The request from the elders of Israel for a new king, rejecting the kingship of God displeased Samuel. He prayed to God putting the matter before him. The Lord told him to hearken to the requests of the people and give them a king. He told Samuel not to feel rejected because he was not the one who was rejected but rather it was he, the Lord, who was rejected by the people.

WAYS IN WHICH PARENTS CAN FULFILL THEIR PARENTAL OBLIGATION TO THEIR CHILDREN

1. Providing the children’s material needs, like food, clothing and shelter.

2. Satisfying their emotional and psychological needs, like exhibiting love to them.

3. Ensuring that they are well educated according to their ability.

4. Ensuring that they are provided with adequate healthcare. Where there is not enough money, making sure they are enrolled with the National health Insurance Scheme.

5. Give the children good moral and religious education.

6. Ensuring that the child grows with good moral values.

7. Preventing the child from committing sin.

THE EFFECTS OF BAD PARENTING

1. The children become truants, skipping school etc.

2. The children end up in the streets.

3. They drop out of school at an early age.

4. Some may become drug addicts.

5. The girls become pregnant in their teens making the boys become pre-matured fathers.

SAMPLE QUESTION(S)

1. a. Give an account of the behavior of the sons of Samuel when they were appointed as priests.

    b. What was the immediate consequence of their misconduct?

ALSO READ:
The sins of the sons of Eli
King Asa, an example of a good parent

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