Wayward Sons

I Sam. 8:3
Yet his sons did not walk in his ways but turned aside after gain. They took bribes and perverted justice.

When Samuel was old, he made his sons judges over Israel, but his sons did not share the same vision. They were in the position for personal gain. What was the problem? Why would his sons be so very different than he was? Since the position of judge was not an hereditary position, was Samuel wrong in appointing his sons? Even if they were not to be judges, would that necessarily mean that they would be unscrupulous? Why this penchant for evil? So hard to understand how a child can go such a different way than the parents! Did Samuel not take enough time to shepherd their hearts and develop in them a love for God, or were their hearts just wayward from the get go? Certainly, God is sovereign over drawing whoever He wills to Him, yet how hard for parents. What a warning to parents to spend time with their children teaching them and shepherding their hearts!

Father,
Teach me to be the godly mother and grandmother that I should be so that I can minister to the hearts of the children You have placed in my life.
In Jesus name,
Amen