1 Sam 8: 1, 3 ► And it came to pass, when Samuel was old, that he made his sons judges over Israel.
Now the name of his firstborn was Joel; and the name of his second, Abiah: they were judges in Beersheba. And his sons walked not in his ways, but turned aside after lucre, and took bribes, and perverted judgment. Insight and Highlight As we have unGodly children of Godly parents so do we have Godly children of unGodly parents. We all have a collective responsibility to make Godly choices: raising up Godly children in Godly homes. Insight and Highlight Samuel was a righteous man. His death, recorded in 1 Sam 25:1, brought to an end the life of one of God's most faithful servants. He was an epitome of faithfulness and moral blamelessness leaving behind a reputation that ranks him among the greatest of God's servants. God spoke of Samuel in the same breath as Moses, ref Jer 15:1. However, Samuel did not have good children. According to the scriptures, the children "....walked not in his ways..." Samuel's children did not follow their father's good example. This was their choice. The bible does not condemn Samuel as it does Eli. When children of Godly parents make wrong choices, God often does not punish their parents. God did not terminate Samuel as He did Eli. In fact, God, in response to the rebellious remarks from the people of Israel, reassured Samuel to disabuse his mind of a feeling of rejection and He bore the rejection upon Himself. "...they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me....", ref 1 Sam 8: 7. We can learn from how God responded to Samuel's son rejection compared to His response to Eli. Samuel made them judges not priests. Judges were military leaders not priests. They were appointed after the death of Joshua because he left no successor over Israel. Even Samuel's children roles were very insignificant compared to the known thirteen judges in the Book of Judges. When children of Godly parents make wrong choices, Godly parents must avoid placing them in the office of the priest. Parents of worker children in the Lord's services must not hide their children's sins but report to church authorities. Priesthood and all manner of services in God’s vineyard require the highest standard of moral uprightness. As for Eli, the continued service of his sons as priests while living sacrilegious lifestyles attracted God's wrath. This was the case against Eli. His sons were ministers in God’s house using their position as an opportunity for greedy gains, ref 1 Sam 2:17, and for sexual immorality, ref 1 Sam 2: 22. Second, God expected Eli to do the needful by removing them. This he failed to do and God took it as tantamount to Eli honoring his son above Him, ref 1 Sam 2:29. God slew them, 1 Sam 2:25, 4:10-11. Remorse corner When children of Godly parents make wrong choices, Godly parents must do the needful to discipline them to appease God's anger. Call to Word action Samuel's children may appear a little less serious than Eli's but it still remains that we becareful with God. His judgment is past finding out: He judges one and spares another. Children of both were wayward but God chose to spare Samuel of his sons' malady. The Christian clarion duty We must raise our children to shun wilful disobedience. We must be ready to be disciplined, if need be. Every child of God in wilful disobedience must also be willing to accept God's chastening or punishment metted on him/her, Prov 3: 12, Heb 12: 6. Prayer Lord help me as l teach my children the way of the Lord, in Jesus name. Good morning all and have a blessed day God bless you.