Before I begin, let me start by saying the section titles below in bold were questions asked of me and which I had to respond to. I do not necessarily care for the phrasing of the questions and think they are quite harsh. The assignment was a short assessment and as such, not much space could be given to the bigger, broader, and more important question of why do some kids turn away from Christianity and lead a life with this world. That topic has been much discussed and there is not one simple catch-all answer that applies to every situation. Obviously, one can conclude that their straying from the Christian faith or living a life of sin is because of Satan and his demons. Because of their work and the issues of the flesh and the world (all three are the main categories in spiritual warfare – flesh, world, Satan/demons), people stray or fall. Ultimately, it is a temptation from our enemies (demons/Satan) that start the process. We have seen many “good” Christians and Christian leaders walk away from the faith because of sin or lack of a deep faith.
Anyways, for the purposes of this assessment, we focus only on the questions posed with what is known through 1 Samuel 1-15.
First Samuel chapters one through fifteen examines the lives of three leaders, their relationships with God, and its impact on their sons. This section of Scripture provides a glimpse into the importance of being a godly example to your children and how disciplining your child is vitally important. Eli, Samuel, and Saul each had their own unique relationship with God, however, as fathers their faith did not yield the same effect. A father must be a faithful believer in God, but must also train, teach, and discipline his children in the ways of the Lord.
Which of the Fathers was Evil and Which had Evil Children
Eli, a Jewish priest who served during the time of the Judges (1 Sam 1:1,3), probably started off with a good relationship with God in order to become a priest. However, that is not how he finished his life. Eli had two wicked sons, Hophni and Phineas, who served in the tabernacle but did not know the Lord (1 Sam 2:12). First Samuel describes their wickedness was apparently well known (1 Sam 2:24), including: sinned against the Law (Lev 7:30-34) when they kept and ate the meat was brought out of the pot when an animal was sacrificed, ate raw meat that had not been cooked (1 Sam 2:15-16), and had sex with women who served at the tabernacle (1 Sam 2:22). Eli was devoted to being a priest but was not effective in being a parent. Eli knew his sons were doing evil and wicked things, yet did not rebuke or discipline them as he should have to stop that type of behavior. God warned Eli through a “man of God” revealing the judgment that would come upon Eli’s sons (1 Sam 2:27-36). This prophecy said that Eli’s family line would end and God would raise up for Himself a more faithful priest (1 Sam 2:33, 35). Eli accepted God’s decree with almost indifference and tried to rationalize the judgment (1 Sam 3:18). He finished his life as a blind, overweight, and lazy man. These physical characteristics show his spiritual nature that he had become disobedient, lazy, and blind to God and His holy ways. Eli put his ministry before his family, did not discipline his children when they misbehaved, did not follow the Lord’s direction, and rationalized the sin of his sons.
Samuel was a faithful and obedient prophet and judge. At a time when prophecies and visions were rare, God revealed Himself to Samuel (1 Sam 3:7). Samuel faithfully obeyed God throughout his life, even in telling Eli the impending judgment upon his sons (1 Sam 3:11-18). Samuel’s faithfulness to God was shown as Israel recognized him as a prophet and God continued to reveal His word through him (1 Sam 3:20-21). Samuel had a great relationship with God, a healthy prayer life, and was a faithful and obedient servant of God. Near the end of Samuel’s life, he calls on anyone to accuse him of wrong doing, yet no one finds anything to accuse him of (1 Sam 12:1-5). Samuel is an honorable man who obediently followed God. However, like Eli, Samuel’s two sons, Joel and Abijah, were also wicked. They were appointed judges but sinned before God by seeking dishonest gain and perverting justice (1 Sam 8:1-3). The elders of Israel did not want them to rule and asked for a king (1 Sam 8:4-5).
Saul’s life started off well by obeying God and having a close relationship with Him, and was empowered to prophesy (1 Sam 10:10-13), but after becoming king, he became a wicked and disobedient man. He led Israel in several successful military campaigns against the Philistines. Yet, the signs of Saul’s heart and lack of trust showed early on in his career, including: he was fearful during his anointing (1 Sam 10:22-23), his impatience led to the improper burnt offering (1 Sam 13:1-15), the fear in waiting in the valley against the Philistines while Jonathan took to action (1 Sam 14:1-13), the unwise fasting oath that almost led to Jonathan’s death (1 Sam 14:24-48), and his failure to eliminate all of the Amalekites and their livestock as commanded by God (1 Sam 15:3). This final disobedience led to God rejecting Saul and withdrawing His Spirit from him (1 Sam 15:26). Ironically, Saul had the godliest son between himself, Samuel, and Eli. Saul had three sons (1 Sam 14:49), but the most well-known is Jonathan, who was faithful and loved God. Jonathan’s bravery in the Philistine outpost raid shows his faith and trust in God (1 Sam 14:6). Jonathan was faithful to God, even when it meant he was opposed to his father Saul in regards to God choosing David to be king. Saul threw a spear at Jonathan attempting to kill him and also insulted him calling him a “son of a perverse and rebellious woman” (1 Sam 20:30-33).
Evidence of Bad Fathering Leading to Evil Ways And Why Do Some Kids “Go Bad”
The story of God rejecting Eli because Eli honored his sons more than God gives evidence to bad parenting leading to evil ways (1 Sam 2:27-36). Eli’s life shows how bad fathering led to his son’s evil ways by his lack of discipline and rebuke of their actions; had he been obedient to God and disciplined his sons, their lives may have ended differently. A father is to teach his sons about God (Isa 38:18). Children are a gift from God (Ps 127:3), and He has entrusted them to the parent to care for and disciple them. “Train up a child in the way he should go, even when he is old he will not depart from it” (Prov 22:6). A father must be a man who “manages his household well, keeping his children under control with all dignity” (1 Tim 3:4). Just as God deals with His children disciplining them, so fathers should discipline their children so that the children may follow the path of righteousness and goodness (Heb 12:6-10).
There is not much evidence to suggest that Samuel was a bad father and that led to his son’s evil ways. Since Samuel seems to have lived a righteous and obedient life as a judge and prophet (1 Sam 12), it is difficult to determine how he was as a father. However, one could apply Proverbs 22:6 to Samuel and deduce that Samuel was not training his children the right way. A plausible argument for the why Samuel’s sons were evil is because Samuel devoted so much time to his ministry, including travelling to different cities, and perhaps he was not home to teach and disciple his sons. His ministry may have taken priority in his life that his family suffered for it. However, it is difficult to determine from the text if this principle from Proverbs applies to Samuel or not since he is seen as an honorable person (1 Sam 12:19, 23; Jer 15:1; Acts 13:20).
In contrast, Jonathan was completely different from Saul. Jonathan was a brave and faithful follower of God, while Saul sought his fame and glory instead of God’s. Samuel was essentially raised under Eli’s tutelage, but turned out to be this honorable and faithful servant of God. Sometimes, children just “go bad” and it is not the fault of the parents. Some of the godliest people and pastors have had rebellious children. Humans are born totally depraved with a rebellious sin nature toward God and there is none that is righteous (Eccl 7:20; Rom 3:10). Our response when God calls us will determine if we choose to ultimately live for God or ourselves. Thankfully, God is a good Father that knows and loves His children and can bring a child into His family under the worst of circumstances.