The Philistines Defeat Israel

The wisdom and closeness to God of Samuel brought comfort to the people. But on the outskirts, the Philistines were plotting an attack against Israel. After losing the first battle, the elders of Israel remembered the battles fought during the time of Joshua and brought the Ark of God onto the battlefield. God was not for this plan, and Israel lost both the battle and the Ark. When the news came to Eli, the priest, that his sons were dead and the Ark had been lost, he succumbed to his grief and died. But we can still take hope because our God is not weak and worthless, and He cannot be captured by men, as the Philistines will soon learn.

In our last reading, we heard Hannah pray for a child and promise God to give her son back to Him, to serve God his whole life. God granted Hannah’s request, and she gave birth to Samuel. When Samuel was old enough, Hannah took him to Eli, the priest, to raise him in the temple as a servant of the Lord. Samuel grew up knowing God and serving Him, unlike Eli’s own sons. When he was still young, God spoke to Samuel, telling him that a new priesthood would be established. Samuel was God’s chosen man to lead Israel in a new era. Today we’ll see a familiar foe rising up against Israel again. The Philistines are once again a thorn in the side of Israel. Israel will call on God’s presence, taking the ark of the covenant into battle. But it will be carried by Eli’s sons, and we’ll see how God’s judgmentt against these two wicked men will cost the entire nation dearly and lead to the loss of their most sacred symbol.