Who Am I · Day 1
1 Samuel 2:18-26 — a devotion
1 Samuel 2
- 18사무엘이 어렸을 때에 세마포 에봇을 입고 여호와 앞에 섬겼더라But Samuel ministered before the LORD, being a child, girded with a linen ephod.But Samuel ministered before the LORD, being a child, clothed with a linen ephod.
- 19그 어미가 매년제를 드리러 그 남편과 함께 올라갈 때마다 작은 겉옷을 지어다가 그에게 주었더니Moreover his mother made him a little coat, and brought it to him from year to year, when she came up with her husband to offer the yearly sacrifice.Moreover his mother made him a little robe, and brought it to him from year to year when she came up with her husband to offer the yearly sacrifice.
- 20엘리가 엘가나와 그 아내에게 축복하여 가로되 여호와께서 이 여인으로 말미암아 네게 후사를 주사 이가 여호와께 간구하여 얻어드린 아들을 대신하게 하시기를 원하노라 하였더니 그들이 그 집으로 돌아가매And Eli blessed Elkanah and his wife, and said, The LORD give thee seed of this woman for the loan which is lent to the LORD. And they went unto their own home.Eli blessed Elkanah and his wife, and said, “May the LORD give you offspring from this woman for the petition which was asked of the LORD.” Then they went to their own home.
- 21여호와께서 한나를 권고하사 그로 잉태하여 세 아들과 두 딸을 낳게 하셨고 아이 사무엘은 여호와 앞에서 자라니라And the LORD visited Hannah, so that she conceived, and bare three sons and two daughters. And the child Samuel grew before the LORD.The LORD visited Hannah, and she conceived and bore three sons and two daughters. The child Samuel grew before the LORD.
- 22엘리가 매우 늙었더니 그 아들들이 온 이스라엘에게 행한 모든 일과 회막문에서 수종드는 여인과 동침하였음을 듣고Now Eli was very old, and heard all that his sons did unto all Israel; and how they lay with the women that assembled at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.Now Eli was very old; and he heard all that his sons did to all Israel, and how that they slept with the women who served at the door of the Tent of Meeting.
- 23그들에게 이르되 너희가 어찌하여 이런 일을 하느냐 내가 너희의 악행을 이 모든 백성에게서 듣노라And he said unto them, Why do ye such things? for I hear of your evil dealings by all this people.He said to them, “Why do you do such things? For I hear of your evil dealings from all these people.
- 24내 아들아 그리 말라 내게 들리는 소문이 좋지 아니하니라 너희가 여호와의 백성으로 범과케 하는도다Nay, my sons; for it is no good report that I hear: ye make the LORD’s people to transgress.No, my sons; for it is not a good report that I hear! You make the LORD’s people disobey.
- 25사람이 사람에게 범죄하면 하나님이 판결하시려니와 사람이 여호와께 범죄하면 누가 위하여 간구하겠느냐 하되 그들이 그 아비의 말을 듣지 아니하였으니 이는 여호와께서 그들을 죽이기로 뜻하셨음이었더라If one man sin against another, the judge shall judge him: but if a man sin against the LORD, who shall intreat for him? Notwithstanding they hearkened not unto the voice of their father, because the LORD would slay them.If one man sins against another, God will judge him; but if a man sins against the LORD, who will intercede for him?” Notwithstanding, they didn’t listen to the voice of their father, because the LORD intended to kill them.
- 26아이 사무엘이 점점 자라매 여호와와 사람들에게 은총을 더욱 받더라And the child Samuel grew on, and was in favour both with the LORD, and also with men.The child Samuel grew on, and increased in favor both with the LORD and also with men.
KJV and World English Bible — Public Domain · 개역한글 ⓒ Korean Bible Society
Background
First Samuel is a book that records Israel's transition from the era of the judges to the era of the monarchy. The setting of this passage is the time when Eli the priest was serving in the temple at Shiloh, and Israel's spiritual condition at that time was deeply confused. Eli's sons, though priests, disregarded God and habitually acted corruptly. In this dark age, Samuel — born through Hannah's prayer — was entrusted to the temple at a young age and grew up before God. The author deliberately contrasts Samuel's growth with the corruption of Eli's sons, emphasizing how important it is to stand rightly before God.
Reflection questions: 1. What is the most important standard that determines my identity? 2. Like Samuel, in what areas am I standing faithfully before God right where I am now? 3. If I defined myself by my relationship with God rather than by circumstances or conditions, what change would I need to make today?
Today's reflection
First Samuel 2:18-26 shows the young Samuel growing up as he ministers before the LORD in the temple. Samuel served before God wearing a linen ephod, and his mother Hannah made a little coat and brought it to him year by year. This passage contrasts Samuel's growth with the corruption of Eli the priest's sons, showing clearly what kind of outcome identity before God brings.
Theologically, this text carries the truth that human identity is formed not by circumstances but by one's relationship with God. Though Samuel left his parents' side at a young age and lived in the temple, he found his place before God. By contrast, Hophni and Phinehas, who were in the favorable position of being a priest's sons, distanced themselves from God. Verse 26 records that Samuel grew in favor with the LORD and with people, which means that a life standing rightly before God naturally comes to be recognized by others as well.
Our identity is the same. More than which school we attend or which family we were born into, what matters is who I am before God. Growing up faithfully before God, like Samuel — that is the way to finding the true me. Right where you are now, let's discover our true identity through our relationship with God.
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