This is such a disturbing verse I read earlier this week–Check this out, from 1 Sam 8:1-3: “When Samuel grew old, he appointed his sons as judges for Israel. 2 The name of his firstborn was Joel and the name of his second was Abijah, and they served at Beersheba. 3 But his sons did not walk in his ways. They turned aside after dishonest gain and accepted bribes and perverted justice.”

You probably know Samuel—they great leader of Israel, pre-monarchy.  Have saved Israel from the Philistines and leads the nation to repentance, etc.  He was a true servant of God.  Yet, his sons were everything that he was not: wicked.

 The same thing happened to Eli’s sons—and God held Eli accountable for his son’s wayward ways.

Samuel’s wicked sons were the heir apparent for the leadership in Israel, but when the elders of Israel noticed how wayward his sons had become, they wanted an elected king.  Then came Saul, David, Solomon, etc. The nation drifted into disarray and apostasy.

Not quite sure how things may have been different in Israel has Samuel’s sons followed in the Lord’s ways, but this stinging verse emphasizes the parental role in bringing up children in the ways of the Lord (Pro. 22:6).

What are you doing to bring up your children in the ways of the Lord?