The Philistines continue to be in control over Israel in I Samuel 4. They gather for another battle, but once again the Jews are defeated. They try again with the Arc of Jehovah. The Arc is not a talisman, but the symbol of Yahweh’s presence. God was not consulted. No one seemed to take the time to seek His advice.

The presence of the Arc caused joy in the Hebrew camp and fear in the Philistine. The hunkered down and again chased Israel away. Phinehas and Hophni, Eli’s sons, had gone with the Arc. During the fight, they were killed. Upon hearing the news, Eli fell over and broke his neck. Phinehas’ wife gave birth after she heard of her husband’s death. The boy lived and his mother died. Samuel becomes the chief minister at the Tabernacle.

In I Samuel chapter five we hear about the god of the Philistines falling and worshipping Jehovah on two different nights.  Tumors break out in the city where the Arc is taken.  Even though they do not know Him they believe He is the cause of their disease and death.  They send Him away by removing the Arc.

The same thing happens in the next city.  An outbreak of tumors kills many and others just die.  Once again Yahweh is forced from their community.  The city refuses to allow the creator of the universe entry.  They demand all the leaders of the Philistines gathered to determine what to do with the presence of such a powerful being.

Have you decided about who He is and whether you will accept His Son as your Lord and Savior?  The Philistines could have fallen on their faces as their god Dagon had done.  Had they asked for forgiveness and became a friend of Jehovah and His children, they could have been forgiven.  Ruth and many others we have read about and will encounter further in the Bible chose this path.  It was and is available for all.

I Samuel 6 tells us after seven months that a decision is finally made to return the Arc to Israel.  The plan is clever.  It also includes a method to discover if Yahweh is the one causing these circumstances or if it is just bad luck.  The cows should turn toward their calves.  They did not.

Beth-Shemesh is the Hebrew city that receives the presence of the living God.  They rejoice at first and use the two cows and the cart as a burnt offering.  They even had Levites remove the Arc from the cart because only this clan was to carry the symbol of Jehovah.

Later, some in the new hometown of God are struck down because they opened the Arc to investigate it.  Touching the container seems inconsequential.  How can it be worth their lives, just to have touched a box?  God sets standards.  It is our task to simply obey.  We all know that is impossible for us humans.  Once again God is rejected by those who refuse to respect Him.

Aminadab agrees to house the Ark of the Covenant in I Samuel 7 by consecrating his son to be pure in the sight of the Lord.  Someone had to do this to qualify to approach the presence of Jehovah once a year to present the sacrifice.

The Israelites decide to follow Yahweh while Samuel led them as their prophet and judge.  The Philistines attacked them during their worship.  They were defeated and all the Jews had to do was chase them as they fled.  Peace came to Israel and the surrounding countries that had been ruled by the Philistines.

The same problem that afflicted Eli is presented in I Samuel 8.  Samuel’s two sons do not follow his example as a leader or a follower of Jehovah.  A group of the leaders of the twelve tribes ask him to appoint a king.  They do not want to rely on those that will inherit rule.

This seems incongruous.  A monarchy is based on succession by family.  This is the reason our country chose not to create a monarchy.  The only way to remove a king or queen is through a revolution.  Violence is no way to run a civilized country.

Samuel warned them what a monarch would mean for all of them.  They would lose their children, property and civil rights.  The king would do whatever he wants to do to them.  They knew what other kings did to their people, but still wanted their own king.  Tomorrow a king is anointed.

©Copyright 2020 by Charles Kensinger

Samu

el’s birth and call to ministry

Every minister must start somewhere and I Samuel chapter 1 is his beginning as a baby.  He became more than the last judge of Israel.  He was a prophet and the one who anointed the first two kings.  But first, he had to be born.

Hannah was childless.  This was nothing that was unique to her.  It frustrated her more than anything.  She agreed to give her child to Jehovah if he would only grant her desire.  The priest at the Tabernacle thought she must be drunk because when she prayed her heart was broken to the point, she could not vocalize those feelings.

After Yahweh granted her wish, she did not return to Shiloh until the child was old enough to be left with the priest, Eli.  What could a young boy do for God in the place where all the Jews came to worship and sacrifice?

Hanna prays in I Samuel 2 thanking Jehovah for her son.  She proclaims there is no other God.  He is the one who directs everything.  The justice of Yahweh will prevail.  The boy is left with Eli the priest.

The priest has two sons who are not very good as priests.  They have no concern for the people and are only interested in themselves.  They take what they want whether it is the women outside the tabernacle or the best part of the sacrifice.  Samuel sees all this.

A prophet comes and tells Eli that God will soon pass judgment on him, his sons and his entire family.  There will be a new prophet chosen to lead Israel.  He doesn’t name Samuel, but the description fits the boy when he is grown.

Samuel’s job in the Tabernacle was to assist Eli and his sons.  In I Samuel chapter 3 we read of the first message Jehovah gives to the boy.  He hears someone calling him three times and finally, Eli realizes that God is calling him.  Following the advice of the priest, the next time his name is called, the young judge responds positively to the Lord.

What will happen to the current family of priests is given to the young man? He reluctantly tells his mentor the next morning.  As Samuel grew, he was recognized as a prophet by Israel.

©Copyright 2020 by Charles Kensinger