Page 188 - Bible History

THE ISRAELITES IN THE PROMISED LAND 161
was blind. When he entered the banquet hall, he told the boy who was leading him to place him near the pillars that supported the building, that he might lean against them and rest. Then, calling upon the Lord to restore to him his former strength, Samson took both pillars in his hands and shook them. The house fell, and Samson, the princes of the Philistines, and a great number of people were killed.
4. SAMUEL, THE LAST AND GREATEST JUDGE OF THE ISRAELITES
One day, when Heli, the high priest, was sitting be- T fore the door of the Tabernacle i n Silo, a woman ap- 1
proached and, kneeling down, began to pray fervently to the Lord. Her name was Anna and she was the wife of Elcana. As she prayed, she began to weep as though her heart would break. And she made a vow, saying, "0 Lord of Hosts, if Thou wilt look down on the a ic- tion of Thy servant, and wilt be mindful of me and give me a son, I will give him to the Lord all the days of his life.'' Heli thought she was drunk and rebuked her. She said, ''Not so, my lord, I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink; but I am a very unhappy woman. For many years I have prayed to the Lord to send me a son, but He hath not answered me.''
Heli said to her, "Go in peace, and the God of Israel grant thee thy petition.''
Anna returned to her home, and it came to pass that!,: a son was born to her. While he was still an infant,
his parents took him to Silo and o ered him to Heli,
the high priest. Anna said, ''I am that woman who