1 Samuel 2:11

1 Samuel 2:11 says, And Elkanah went to Ramah to his house. And the child did minister unto the LORD before Eli the priest.  When Elkanah returned home, he and Hannah left Samuel with Eli.  As she had promised, she gave Samuel to God for His service.  It could not have been an easy thing for her to do, but she fulfilled her vow, just as we must today as followers of Christ when we make a vow to God.  Verse twelve adds, Now the sons of Eli were sons of Belial; they knew not the LORD.  Eli's sons served Baal and did not know God, even though Eli was a priest of God and a judge of His people.  We can be the most devout Christian today, but that does not mean that our children will be.  Verse thirteen states, And the priests’ custom with the people was, that, when any man offered sacrifice, the priest’s servant came, while the flesh was in seething, with a fleshhook of three teeth in his hand;  Verse fourteen adds, And he struck it into the pan, or kettle, or caldron, or pot; all that the fleshhook brought up the priest took for himself. So they did in Shiloh unto all the Israelites that came thither.  After a sacrifice of a burnt offering, the priest was giving a portion for his use, and this practice was continued at Shiloh.  Verse fifteen says, Also before they burnt the fat, the priest’s servant came, and said to the man that sacrificed, Give flesh to roast for the priest; for he will not have sodden flesh of thee, but raw.  Before the fat was burned, the servant of the priest would come and ask the one offering the sacrifice for some of the raw meat, so the priest wouldn't have sodden meat.  Verse sixteen adds, And if any man said unto him, Let them not fail to burn the fat presently, and then take as much as thy soul desireth; then he would answer him, Nay; but thou shalt give it me now: and if not, I will take it by force.  If any man refused, Eli's sons would threaten to come and take the raw meat by force.  They were not satisfied with God's provision, but wanted more.  There are still religious leaders today who are not satisfied with God's provisions, but demand more from those who are providing for them.  Verse seventeen continues, Wherefore the sin of the young men was very great before the LORD: for men abhorred the offering of the LORD.  The sins of the sons of Eli were very great, because they caused people to abhor the offerings of God.  If we are not satisfied with God's provisions for us today as Christians, bur attempt to take the things dedicated to God as our own, then our sin is great.  Verse eighteen says, But Samuel ministered before the LORD, being a child, girded with a linen ephod.  As Samuel was growing up, he faithfully ministered before the LORD.  Some children and young people today are more faithful in following God than others are.  We need to teach our children to be faithful to God.  Verse nineteen adds, Moreover his mother made him a little coat, and brought it to him from year to year, when she came up with her husband to offer the yearly sacrifice. Hannah, Samuel's mother, had made him a little coat that she brought with her year after year when she came with her husband to sacrifice.  Verse twenty adds, And Eli blessed Elkanah and his wife, and said, The LORD give thee seed of this woman for the loan which is lent to the LORD. And they went unto their own home.  Eli blessed Elkanah and Hannah,  and said that God had loaned the the child Samuel, and that is all that God really does with our children today.  Elkanah and Hannah then returned home.  Verse twenty-one continues, And the LORD visited Hannah, so that she conceived, and bare three sons and two daughters. And the child Samuel grew before the LORD.  After she gave Samuel to God's service, He blessed her with three more sons and two daughters, while Samuel continued to grow before the LORD. We may at times cut off blessings because we refuse to give back to God what He has blessed us with.