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che manner in former times in Israel with respect to redeeming and to changing, to confirm all things: a man took off his shoe, and gave it to his neighbour, and this was the custom in Israel. Therefore the redeemer said to Boaz, "Buy it for thee," and he took off his shoe. And Boaz said to the elders and to all the people, "You are witnesses this day that I have bought all that was Elimelech's, and all that was Chilion's and Mahlon's, of the hand of Naomi. Moreover Ruth, the Moabitess, the wife of Mahlon, have I acquired to be my wife, to raise up the name of the dead upon his inheritance, that the name of the dead be not cut off from among his brethren, and from the gate of his place; you are witnesses this day.' And all the people that were in the gate, and the elders, said, "We are witnesses: the Lord make the woman that is come into thy house like Rachel and like Leah who both built up the house of Israel; and acquire wealth in Ephrath, and be famous in Bethlehem!" So Boaz took Ruth and she was his wife. . . . And she bore a son, and the women said to Naomi, "Blessed be the Lord who has not left thee this day without a redeemer, and may his name be famous in Israel; he shall be to thee a comforter of thy life, and a support of thy old age; for thy daughterin-law who loves thee, and who is better to thee than seven sons, has born him.” The child was called Obed, who became the father of Jesse, and the grandfather of king David.

Thus the affectionate and true-hearted Moabite woman was the ancestress of Israel's greatest ruler.

VI. THE LIFE AND TIMES OF SAMUEL.

76. SAMUEL'S YOUTH.

[1 SAM. I.-III.]

IN Mount Ephraim, at Ramathaim Zophim, there dwelt a man of the name of Elkanah, who had two wives, Peninnah and Hannah. Peninnah had children, but the pious and humble-minded Hannah had none; yet Elkanah loved his childless wife most. Every year this family went up to offer sacrifices at Shiloh, which was still the common place of worship for all Israel. Here was the Ark and the Tabernacle, and here were officiating priests and Levites, who performed the sacred rites for the people. The Highpriest at this time was Eli, a lineal descendant not of Eleazar, but of Aaron's youngest son Ithamar; he had also been the Judge of Israel for many years, and was now weak and advanced in age. At the annual meetings in Shiloh, it was customary for the worshippers to hold sacrificial repasts, in which their entire households took part, besides invited guests, especially the poor and the Levites. Now, at these meals, Elkanah would give the largest or most valued portion to his favourite wife Hannah. This was felt as a slight and an insult by Peninnah, who became jealous of her childless rival. She vented her anger freely upon Hannah, who wept and touched nothing at the feast. Elkanah, seeing her distress, asked, Hannah,

why weepest thou, and why eatest thou not, and why is thy heart grieved? Am I not better to thee than ten sons?' But Hannah was troubled and oppressed with sorrow. At one of her yearly visits to Shiloh, she went alone to the door of the Tabernacle, and entering within the holy precincts, she sought relief in prayer. She poured out the distress and bitterness of her soul before the Lord, and as was usual in those days, her supplication took the form of a vow. O Lord of Hosts,' she said, "if Thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of Thy handmaid, and remember me, and not forget Thy handmaid, but wilt give to Thy handmaid a man-child, then I will give him to the Lord all the days of his life, and there shall no razor come upon his head.'

As she prayed silently and inwardly, her lips moved, but no word was heard. From his seat near the entrance, Eli the High-priest had seen her come in, and closely watched her. His anger was roused, for he thought the strange woman was drunk, and at last he exclaimed,' How long wilt thou be drunken! Put away thy wine from thee!' Hannah answered meekly, 'No, my lord, I am a woman of a sorrowful spirit, I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but have poured out my soul before the Lord count not thy handmaid for a worthless woman, for out of my great grief and misery have I spoken hitherto.' Then Eli knew her words were true, and he bade her go in peace, saying, 'The God of Israel will grant thee thy petition which thou hast asked of Him.' Hannah went back comforted and with a cheerful countenance, and her faith was rewarded. For a son was born to her, and she called him Samuel (the Lord hears'). This child, she felt, was but confided to her as a trust; he was to belong to God throughout life; for she meant faithfully to carry out the vow she had offered in her distress. She determined not to go up to Shiloh until the boy was weaned,

when she would leave him in the Tabernacle under the care of Eli. Then, at the appointed time, she made with her little son the journey to the holy town; there she offered up a bullock for a sacrifice, and then led Samuel into the Tabernacle, and presented him to Eli, saying, For this child I prayed, and the Lord has given me my petition which I asked of Him: therefore I will lend him to the Lord; as long as he lives, he shall be lent to the Lord.'

Then Hannah prayed again, but now her heart was throbbing with gratitude and praise, and her prayer was one of gladness and thanksgiving. It ran thus:

My heart rejoices in the Lord, my horn is exalted in the Lord, my mouth is enlarged over my enemies, because I rejoice in Thy salvation. There is none holy as the Lord, for there is none beside Thee, neither is there any rock like our God. Talk no more so exceeding proudly, let not arrogance come out of your mouth; for the Lord is a God of knowledge, and by Him actions are weighed. The bows of the mighty men are broken, and they that stumbled are girded with strength. They that were satisfied have hired themselves out for bread, and they that were hungry ceased to be so; nay the barren has born seven, and she that has many children has grown feeble. The Lord kills and makes alive, He brings down to the grave and brings up. The Lord makes poor and makes rich, He brings low and lifts up. He raises up the poor out of the dust, and lifts up the beggar from the dunghill, to set them among princes, and to make them inherit the throne of glory: for the pillars of the earth are the Lord's, and He has set the world upon them. He will guard the feet of His pious servants, and the wicked shall be silent in darkness; for by strength no man pre

vails. The adversaries of the Lord shall be broken to pieces; out of heaven shall He thunder upon them: the Lord shall judge the ends of the earth; and He shall give strength to His king, and exalt the horn of His anointed.'

Hannah returned to Ramah with her husband, leaving their little son in the care of Eli. Samuel grew, and began to assist in the service of the Tabernacle, girded with a linen ephod like a priest. Young as he was, the Lord's grace rested upon him, and he won favour in the eyes of all men. Elkanah and his household came up yearly to Shiloh to offer their regular sacrifice; on these occasions Hannah never failed to bring with her presents and garments for her child. She was blessed for her love and self-denial; for in the course of time she became the mother of three other sons and of two daughters.

Eli's declining years were embittered by the wicked conduct of his sons Hophni and Phinehas. They served likewise as priests at the Sanctuary; but, unscrupulous and depraved, they committed the most flagrant offences at the very gate of the Tabernacle and in the holy place itself. They even perverted the people that came to sacrifice in Shiloh. It was useless for Eli to reprove them; they would not listen to him, but continued in their evil ways.

We are told that a man of God,' a prophet or seer probably, came to Eli, to warn him of the fate that would befall his sons; they were sinning against God most grievously, and were destined both to die on one day. The house of Eli would cease to be the house of God's priests, and sink into sad poverty and contempt. I will raise up for Myself a faithful priest,' said the messenger in the name of the Lord, that shall do according to that which is in My heart and in My mind, and I will build him a sure house, and he shall walk before My anointed

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