1-5. Samuel Was Deceived in His Sons—These young men had received faithful instructions from their father, both by precept and example. They were not ignorant of the warnings given to Eli, and the divine judgments visited upon him and his house. They were apparently men of sterling virtue and integrity, as well as intellectual promise. It was with the full assent of the people that Samuel shared with his sons the responsibilities of office. But the characters of these young men were yet to be tested. Separated from their father’s influence, it would be seen whether they were true to the principles which he had taught them. The result showed that Samuel had been painfully deceived in his sons. Like many young men of today who have been blessed with good abilities, they perverted their God-given powers. The honor bestowed upon them rendered them proud and self-sufficient. They did not make the glory of God their aim, nor did they seek earnestly to Him for strength and wisdom. Yielding to the power of temptation, they became avaricious, selfish, and unjust. God’s Word declares that “they walked not in His ways, but turned aside after lucre, and took bribes, and perverted judgment” (The Signs of the Times, February 2, 1882). {2BC 1012.5}

1-5. Samuel blev bedraget med sine sønner. - Disse unge mænd havde fået nøje instrukser fra deres fader, både ved forskrift og eksempel. De var ikke uvidne om de advarsler Eli havde fået, og de guddommelige domme blev hjemsøgt på ham og hans hus. Tilsyneladende var de helstøbt dydige og rene mænd, såvel som intellektuel lovende. Det var med folkets fulde samtykke at Samuel delte embedets ansvar med sine sønner. Men disse unge mænds karaktertræk, skulle dog prøves. Borte fra deres faders indflydelse, ville det kunne ses om de havde de sande principper som han havde lært dem. Resultatet viste at Samuel var smerteligt blevet bedraget med sine sønner. Ligesom unge mænd i dag, som er blevet velsignet med gode evner, forvanskede de deres gudsgivne kræfter. Den ære de var blevet betroet dem, gjorde dem stolte og selvtilstrækkelige. De gjorde ikke (1013) Guds ære til deres mål, de søgte heller ikke alvorligt efter Ham, efter styrke og visdom. Ved at give efter for fristelsens magt, blev de gerrige, selviske og uretfærdige. Guds ord erklærer at ”de vandrede ikke på Hans veje, men ”de lod sig lede af egen fordel, tog imod bestikkelse og bøjede retten. " (ST 2. febr., 1882).