1 & 2 Samuel – Page 22

1 Samuel 4:12-22 – Eli Breathes His Last

graphic design with an open door and the words, "the will of God"

Our last reading told of the massacre of Israelite soldiers and the loss of the ark. Today it is reported to Eli and others. The outcome is not explained in great detail but left to speak for itself. We see how two people responded to this news, yet we must not forget the Israelite people as a whole have also been dealt a severe blow.

God had shared a portion of what took place that day with Samuel before it happened. Eli had been prepared for what to expect only because he had pulled the truth out of Samuel. Didn’t it seem as if Eli was more moved by the loss of the ark than in losing his sons?

1 Samuel 4:1-11 – Capture the Ark!

Read 1 Samuel 4:1-11

Thank heavens Samuel knew what God was about to do. The people were already listening to Samuel and the words he spoke. But Samuel is not the focus of this reading. The Ark of the Covenant takes center stage now.

We are reminded that Israel is fighting with the Philistines. This has been an ongoing saga. We read of it in the Book of Judges. I’m not certain if this reading is a parallel time to battles described elsewhere in Scripture. But the Israelites are not winning. What are they thinking? Where is God?

1 Samuel 3:1-21 – Speak, I’m Listening

Read 1 Samuel 3:1-21

woman holding and speaking into a hand held loud speaker

Don’t we all long for a conversation with God like Samuel had that night? To hear a voice audibly calling our name! Would we be like Samuel and think it was someone else, for us our spouse, the neighbor, or the television? We need to be listening. We need to be still.

I loved what Eli told Samuel after he realized what Samuel was hearing was the voice of the LORD himself. Then Samuel knew exactly what to say. “Speak, your servant is listening.” What a beautiful line we should all remember for when God calls out to us next time.

1 Samuel 2:27-36 – You Have Been Warned!

Read 1 Samuel 2:27-36

warning sign (black exclamation point inside a red triangle

The evil of Eli’s sons has not gone unnoticed by God. In fact, we understand God is very displeased with Eli as well. The message from the LORD was this: “Why do you give your sons more honor than you give me—for you and they have become fat from the best offerings of my people Israel!”

Even if God’s message stirred in Eli to seek a “second chance,” his fate was sealed. “But I will honor those who honor me, and I will despise those who think lightly of me.” The messenger goes on to tell how God is going to put an end to Eli’s family and their position as priests. What could Eli have been thinking now?

1 Samuel 2:12-26 – Such Behavior!

Read 1 Samuel 2:12-26

Young boy with a big chocolate face grin with a piece of melting chocolate in his hands

I know it can be hard to be a “PK” (a pastor’s kid, or in this case the priest’s kids), but these boys were something else! Their abuse of their position was totally out of control. Their behavior clearly demonstrated their lack of respect for the Lord and their disregard for their duties as priests.

They were acting like spoiled brats, wouldn’t you agree? We know from our other readings that priests didn’t have their own land or possessions of value. To me, that means they lived frugally, without wealth or the “comforts” of life. I expected that they needed to rely on the other Israelites for their sustenance.