20-28. The Reward of Faithfulness—During the first three years of the life of Samuel the prophet, his mother carefully taught him to distinguish between good and evil. By every familiar object surrounding him, she sought to lead his thoughts up to the Creator. In fulfillment of her vow to give her son to the Lord, with great self-denial she placed him under the care of Eli the high priest, to be trained for service in the house of God. Though Samuel’s youth was passed at the tabernacle devoted to the worship of God, he was not free from evil influences or sinful example. The sons of Eli feared not God, nor honored their father; but Samuel did not seek their company nor follow their evil ways. His early training led him to choose to maintain his Christian integrity. What a reward was Hannah’s! and what an encouragement to faithfulness is her example! (The Review and Herald, September 8, 1904).{2BC 1008.6}

20-28. Trofasthedens belønning.--I de tre første år af Samuels liv profeten, lærte hans moder ham omhyggeligt at skelne mellem godt og ondt. Med alle de ting han var omgivet af, søgte hun at lede hans tanker frem til Skaberen. Under opfyldelsen af sit løfte, at give sin søn til Herren, satte hun ham under den største selvfornægtelse under ypperstepræstens Elis omsorg, for at blive oplært for tjeneste i Guds hus. Gennem Samuels ungdom, hvor han var han helliget gudsdyrkelse i tabernaklet, var han ikke fri fra ond indflydelse eller syndige eksempler. Elis sønner frygtede ikke Gud, eller ærede heller ikke deres fader; men Samuel søgte ikke deres selskab eller fulgte deres onde veje. Hans tidlige oplæring ledte ham til at vælge fastholdelsen af sin kristne renhed. Hvad var Hannas belønning ikke, og hvilken opmuntring er det ikke til trofasthed ved hendes eksempel! (RH 8.sept., 1904).