Chapter 25 1. Relation of Youth and Old Age Illustrated—The life of Samuel from early childhood had been a life of piety and devotion. He had been placed under the care of Eli in his youth, and the loveliness of his character drew forth the warm affection of the aged priest. He was kind, generous, diligent, obedient, and respectful. The contrast between the course of the youth Samuel and that of the priest’s own sons was very marked, and Eli found rest and comfort and blessing in the presence of his charge. It was a singular thing that between Eli, the chief magistrate of the nation, and the simple child so warm a friendship should exist. Samuel was helpful and affectionate, and no father ever loved his child more tenderly than did Eli this youth. As the infirmities of age came upon Eli, he felt more keenly the disheartening, reckless, profligate course of his own sons, and he turned to Samuel for comfort and support.{2BC 1021.4}

Kapitel 25

1. Forholdet mellem unge og ældre illustreres.--Samuels liv havde fra hans tidlige barndom været et liv i fromhed og gudsfrygt. Han var i sin barndom blevet givet ind under Elis omsorg, og hans elskelige sind vandt den gamle præsts varme kærlighed. Han var venlig, ædelmodig, flittig, lydig og ærbødig. Modsætningen mellem den unge Samuels handlemåde og præstens egne sønners, var meget markant, og Eli fandt hvile og trøst og velsignelse i nærheden af hans varetægt. Det var forunderligt, at der kunne bestå så varmt et venskab mellem Eli, som var folkets øverste myndighed, og det enfoldige barn. Samuel var hjælpsom og kærlig, og ingen fader har nogensinde elsket sit barn mere ømt, end Eli elskede ham. Idet alderens svagheder kom over Eli, følte han sine egne sønners nedslående, hensynsløse og ryggesløse handlemåde mere tydeligt, og han vendte sig til Samuel efter trøst og støtte.