OT: The First Book of Samuel, Chapter 9

1 Samuel 9:1-27

Let's begin this study with Joshua's advice and declaration:

Joshua 24:15

And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”

The children of Israel have requested a king like the nations around them have. They wish to conform to the ways of the world. God does not want us to live in opposition to our justice systems, the governments modern times have established, but He does want us to place Him over those systems. The systems of the world are flawed, but God's sovereignty is not. 

The children of Israel have always been organized and led by God but they trade Him for a man-made monarchy. Although cautioned against doing so, the children of Israel proceed with their disembarkation from God. God, through Samuel, has explained that the public's service to the man-king will be quite unlike their service to Him. God deals bountifully with His servants, Matthew 23:12, but man-kings only take. God's dominion is selfless and capable, a man king's rule will ultimately be tarnished by selfish and weak impulses.

9:1-2 We are introduced to a man named Saul. Saul's father is of the tribe of Benjamin. Saul is physically built like the kind of king the children of Israel have been desiring. He is handsome and taller than the average person. As far as the children of Israel are concerned, Saul's appearance will represent them well. Ironically, God's presence, transparent though it is, represented the children of Israel better than any handsome man ever could.

Still, the children of Israel requested a man king and the events of establishing one begin to take place.

9:3-4 Saul's father loses his donkeys and sends Saul on a quest to find them. Saul searches the mountains of Ephraim to Shalisha, Shaalim and the land of the Benjamites but does not find them. This very mundane and ordinary circumstance will be used by God to bring about the answer to the children of Israel's request. But Saul, like us, undertakes this task without knowing the purpose and orchestration of God.

9:5 Saul grows frustrated with the search and intends to return home; he will only go so far to recover a few donkeys. For Saul, this journey has extended long enough to be ridiculous. Little does he know, God has created and guided this journey; God knows where He intends it to lead Saul.

9:6 Instead of turning back, Saul's servant suggests that he and Saul visit "a man of God... an honorable man" in the city (referring to Samuel who has developed a reputation as such). The servant believes that Samuel will be able to guide Saul on the way he should go. And indeed, Samuel will be equipped by God to lead Saul - and not just to the donkeys.

Saul himself does not think to ask Samuel, the prophet, or even God Himself. Immediately we learn that Saul's priorities are already not as righteous as the prophets God has raised.

9:7-9 Saul tells his servant that he has nothing to offer the prophet but his servant has silver. This was a respectful custom.

9:10 So Saul and his servant journey to meet Samuel (who has likely already been informed of their arrival by God).

9:11-12 Saul and his servant find out from a woman going to a well for water that Samuel happens to be in town! This is not a coincidence. God has planned Saul's journey to intersect with Samuel's.

9:13 The woman explains that Samuel will come and bless the sacrifice the people offer to God and then there will be a meal.

9:14 As they enter the city, Saul realizes that Samuel is walking right toward them on his way to the high place, where the sacrifice would be offered to God.

9:15-16 We learn that Samuel has already been informed and directed by God about Saul. Samuel knows that this man, Saul, will approach him a day before he actually does. God instructs Samuel to make Saul commander over the children of Israel, their new defender against the Philistines.

We learn a lot about God's nature in this verse. God explains that He has looked compassionately on His people and has heard (and cared about) their cry. Even though they have traded Him for a much lesser model, so to speak, God is still listening and answering their prayers. They requested a king and they receive one, even though with God as their King they lacked nothing.

9:17-18 God points Saul out to Samuel just as Saul approaches the prophet.

9:19 Samuel introduces himself and invites Saul to eat with him. He also promises to prophesy over Saul's heart, for Samuel has been given insight from God regarding Saul.

9:20 Samuel also mentions, without Saul's prompting, the missing donkeys. He tells Saul not to worry about the donkeys because they have been found. Samuel has a direct and personal relationship with God; therefore God can easily communicate with Samuel. Saul does not have a relationship with God however, and the mention of his donkeys will inspire Saul to trust Samuel and believe in the will of God. Samuel hints to Saul that his destiny is one many will be envious of.

9:21 Saul is baffled by Samuel's words; he had no notion of being known or even regarded by anyone, never mind the whole of Israel. The whole situation catches Saul off guard. His simple quest for lost donkeys had led him to a prophet of God who has suggested that his whole life is about to change.

9:22-24 Saul dines with Samuel and receives a special portion set aside just for him - already, Saul begins to be treated as a king. The king the children of Israel requested. Saul has been requested by Israel but chosen by God. Saul is, however, just as imperfect as God warned he would be.

In the New Testament, God raises up a perfect king, the messiah, the King Jesus. And for a temporary period, humanity received a sample of what it will be like when He finally reigns.

9:25-26 Samuel has a conversation with Saul that takes place in the early morning, indeed a new day is beginning.

9:27 Samuel sends Saul's servant ahead of them. Samuel uses the private time to introduce Saul to the word of God.

OT: The First Book of Samuel, Chapter 8

1 Samuel 8:1-22

8:1-2 Samuel has lived his life serving God as his prophet, his messenger. Samuel advances in age and appoints his sons, Joel and Abijah, to be judges over the children of Israel.

8:3 It becomes clear that Joel and Abijah are not faithful to God; they do not follow in Samuel's footsteps and they certainly do not follow God's. Joel and Abijah align themselves with they ways of the world rather than with the instruction from scripture. In order to become wealthy and powerful, they work not dutifully for God, but instead for their own desires - resorting even to corrupt dealings and obstruction of justice.

8:4-5 The elders of the children of Israel notice quickly that Joel and Abijah cannot be a replacement for Samuel's judgement. Samuel was fair and empathetic but his sons proved to be unjust and selfish. Recognizing the problem, they request that Samuel appoints a king for the group. The king of king they want, they explain, is one like all the nations around them have: a man king.

The children of Israel are happy with Samuel as their judge but are never able to grasp, or accept, where his wisdom and power came from. Samuel understood that God was the reigning king, the administrator of justice. But the children of Israel begin again to covet the things their neighbors have, even though they were warned against doing so, Exodus 20:17. 

There are two major reasons why God does not want us, or them, to covet what our neighbor's have:

• To covet means to become a slave to ones desires. God understands that we lose grip on our sense of justice and humility when we allow lust for things to drive our actions. Instead of realizing that they did have - a Spiritual King and abundant provider - the children of Israel, in their neglect, sought a lesser lifestyle because it looked good. Their minds desire to see a man king on a throne over them, perhaps to boast their nation and intimidate their neighbors. All unnecessary! God has already provided, but because of they cannot see Him, and parade His proof, they reject Him.
• We do not truly understand what or why our neighbors have what they do. From their eyes, tainted with desire, the children of Israel are unable to see the flaw and fragility of their neighbor's lifestyle - a mistake they consistently make and thus neglect to learn from. Life is very similar to a video game, we replay each level until we have gathered enough experience and wisdom to proceed to the next level.  The children of Israel begin the process of moving away from God once again because they still refuse to reject the way of the world.

8:6 Samuel is disheartened by the request. Samuel has been so connected with God's word and God himself for so long that the concept of replacing Him causes Samuel distress. In his anguish, Samuel turns to God and begins to pray. 

8:7 God patiently listens to Samuel's prayer and continues to remain true to Himself as he tells Samuel to allow the children of Israel to make their own decisions. Although it pleases God very much to have His children aligned with His philosophy, He does not force us to do so.

God's understanding is this: If the children of Israel are asking for a man-king, they need that experience to realize the flaw in that desire. Many of us with our human-experience have realized that people often only listen when the consequences of mistake are speaking. 

Moreover, God does not wish to hold hostages and call them family. If the children of Israel chose to flee Him, indeed if we choose to walk away from Him, He allows us to walk away. God does not need to boast His authority by retaining prisoners or demanding fealty. 

While dealing with the demands of the group, God is no less aware of Samuel's own pain. Samuel is so invested in faith that these fissures upset him; it breaks his heart to consider the group parting ways with God. A servant of God his entire life, Samuel begins to feel personal failure - failure to unite the group eternal with God. Samuel takes the rejection personal, figuring that he must have done something wrong to cause the group to reject him. After all, Samuel spent his entire life preaching one message and this latest request from the children of Israel toss it right out.

But God explains that it is not Samuel's fault, nor a failure at all: "... they have no rejected you, but they have rejected Me, that I should not reign over them." Jesus teaches a similar concept:

John 15:18-21 

18 “If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. 19 If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. 20 Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also. 21 But all these things they will do to you for My name’s sake, because they do not know Him who sent Me.

The children of Israel chose the way of the world. The rejection is not personal to Samuel, instead, it is simply a matter of the children of Israel choosing flesh over Spirit. It happens commonly even today: people give into the whim of their desire. Although He reigns, so many choose to put their faith in other kings. Too unruly a group to walk without a leader, their connection with God relies on a spiritually-stable man like Samuel. But Samuel is a chosen, by God, prophet and a succession of man-kings will not be.

God chose Samuel for his natural diligence and compassion. God raised Samuel to judge with justice and wisdom. The man-kings who will reign over the children of Israel will not be so prepared for the role.

8:8 God is used to this degenerative routine. He is used to being rejected by the children of Israel, and also by the rest of the world. God has rescued, redeemed and restored repeatedly, generation after generation. We consider the Bible to be an ancient book but its events continue even in this very moments in our present time. As individuals, a now-scattered group of remnants of the children of Israel and equally recruited peoples, we undergo the same process. God offers the same presence and power in humanity's lives - and in many ways humanity continues to reject it. 

8:9 Give them what they want, but prepare them for what they will receive. Essentially, that is God's advice to Samuel. God has promised to go before us in life, scoping out the landscape before we enter, Deuteronomy 31:8. He knows what the consequences of choosing a mortal king will be and He is fair and compassionate in allowing them to know what they are walking into - and away from.

8:10 Samuel brings the message to the children of Israel: both God's consent and caution. 

8:11 Samuel begins to explain the behavior they can expect from a man king. After all, the children of Israel have never had a human king before. They are used to the fair and flawless organization God has provided. God is always of even and empathetic temperament. His selfless nature and divine wisdom enable Him to reign and rule with a kind and adept mind and hand. Because they have been subjects under God's authority, they might not understand how the same position as subject to a different king, might be less than glamorous.

Samuel, advised by God, continues by telling the children of Israel that their mortal king will rule over the entire group with largely - if not totally - selfish motivations. The highest positions in society will be given to the king's family, rather than distributed fairly to the most capable or deserving. The positions of power and acclaim will be filled by those with affiliations to the king's personal agenda. Justice is easily perverted when all who hold the power have the same motivations. The children of Israel will lose their fair, unbiased judgement.

The king's men will be assigned to fight in his wars. If, when and why a mortal king decides to go to war will not matter, he can do so without input from those he rules over. Until this point, the children of Israel have only had to participate in war designed and won by God against evil. Their wars were necessary for escape or justice. A mortal king's wars will happen only to serve his desire to acquire or boast his power.

In our own generation we can understand this rather well - millions over centuries have fought in wars or died because of wars, over a handful of men in royalty's disputes and inability to negotiate. God's battles have always been quick, easy and decisive - and He only ever engages war against evil.

8:12 The focus of life will (and has) shift from maintaining peace to preparedness for war. The king's motives will be to feed his family and strengthen his armies for wars. The burden of production will be placed on the commoner, the citizen. God has thus provided for the children of Israel, placing them on fertile land and organizing in such a way that each family could provide for itself with enough left over for charity.

8:13 With the king's men so focused on war, women will be left as housewives. God always had bigger plans for women but with the strain of war so concentrated, there won't be room for women to be much else. They'll need to raise their children and maintain a household, husbands and sons absent - and neither of them to prophesy for the Lord. The king will use his authority to claim. God as king is a provider. It will be a stark difference for them.

8:14-17 The king will claim fertile lands, vineyards and gardens for himself. God raises prophets and judges as servants of the people but mortal kings only make servants of the people they rule over. Everything that the people produce, the king will claim as his own and take when it suits him.

8:18 All of this cautioning should cause the children of Israel to asks themselves: is the desire for pride and patriotism worth the election of a male king? Is it not better to live as servants of God? After all, a life lived in servitude to God is an abundant and blessed life. Once again we are reminded of the decision made in the Garden of Eden: is independence worth losing the benefits of dependence on God?

Samuel cautions the children of Israel, and even us, to answer these questions for ourselves. Because once we find ourselves independent from His protection and provision, we will realize stark vulnerability. If we reject and remove our connection with God, who will care about, answer, or even hear our pleas for help?

God wants each individual to realize that genuine commitment is necessary; the children of Israel cannot sway back and forth, half-halfheartedly pledging themselves to both Him and an alternate lifestyle. So they and we must ultimately ask ourselves: Am I in, or am I out? Because if I'm not all in, I am out.

8:19-20 The children of Israel choose out. It seems ridiculous that they would, doesn't it? And yet we commit the same mistake. Whenever we chose selfishness, hypocrisy, greed, vengeance, or pride, we choose out. Every time we choose impatience, anger and desire, we choose out. In both small and large moments, we choose out when our actions contradict the word of God.

The children of Israel are enamored by the prospect of a reigning man-king. Man has raised many kings, nations and patriotic flags and all of them have suffered because of it. From the very beginning, humanity has been unable to allow nature to define their lifestyle. Each nation strives for power and wealth and God's alternate lifestyle falls by the wayside.

8:21 God reminds Samuel to let the children of Israel choose for themselves; we get the feeling that Samuel is reluctant to do so. Deflated by their destructive choice but ever faithful to the will of God, Samuel sends the men home, winners of a most toxic prize. They shall have their man king.

We must ask ourselves: how many times do we feel so proud of things we should be ashamed of parading? God understands that we are imperfect and weak, He offers to compensate for that. He does not ask us to be perfect but He does ask that we genuinely try to seek only Him and with our whole hearts. For when we begin to desire for anything else, we begin a descent of character.

Every time we decide that instead of wanting what God wants for us... we want what we want for us, we become slaves to our misinformed and insatiable desire.

OT: The First Book of Samuel, Chapter 7

1 Samuel 7:1-17

7:1 The Ark of God is then brought to the house of Abinadab and his son, Eleazar, is chosen to keep watch over it. Remember that the Ark of God used to be the physical symbol of His presence. The Ark itself had no power but represented the covenant God built with the children of Israel, those who would listen to Him and heed His advice.

7:2 The Ark remains in Kirjath Jearim for twenty years. More proof that the Ark was not powerful itself, is that even though back in rightful custody, the children of Israel have still not fixed the problems in their lives. Because they began to live corruptly, neglecting God's philosophy and worshiping fake gods, their lives are in ruins. They put their faith in false idols, fake gods and their fake gods were not able to lead, advise or save them. They began to act corruptly and therefore filled their lives with corruption. Corruption destroyed the beautiful and peaceful place God build for them. God did not go away, they pushed Him away... and for many years they lamented the consequences of living outside of the sphere of God.

7:3 We know, from the previous chapters, that God has been raising a prophet to rescue the children of Israel. Even though they abandoned Him, He never forgot them. Not only did God answer Hannah's prayer for a son and restore the Levite house after Hophni and Phinehas destroyed it, He also answered the prayers of thousands by planning a rescue for them.

The rescue comes in the form of the prophet Samuel, who communicates directly with God on behalf of his people. And the first thing Samuel has to say to the people is this message from God, the steps of restoration:

• Return to the Lord with all your hearts: God works with earnest, passionate souls. Commitment to His philosophy of compassion proves to Him that we are genuine and conscientious in our effort to be loving, kind people, workers of His will. Children of God serve His love and are served His love, but to receive it, we have to return our hearts to Him. We cannot be half or partially committed. God's work is comprehensive therefore our effort must be focused.

• Put away the foreign gods: For the children of Israel in this time frame, putting away foreign gods was literal. Instead of putting their faith in Him, they put their faith in carved objects. They trusted fertility goddesses made of wood and metal to produce for them. For us today, putting away foreign gods means to put away the elements of the world which corrupt us. Vengeance, vanity and greed are idols, things we place over our faith because we believer they will bring us contentment and peace. God wants us to throw those things away and adopt His righteousness into our lives.

• Prepare your hearts for the Lord: In order to receive from Him, we have to open ourselves to receive. Our faith is a landing zone, a transit system. His blessings can only be delivered if we unblock the tunnel (of faith) and clear our landing zone (trust). We have to be willing to listen to and follow Him; it will not always look easy, sometimes our emotions and desires get the best of us. But if we trust Him, He always delivers the way and the blessing.

• Serve Him only: We cannot be half or partially committed. God's work is comprehensive therefore our effort must too. We are taught that we cannot serve two masters, Luke 16:13, and that a house divided cannot stand Mark 3:25. The reason we are taught those lessons is because God wants us to understand that we cannot be focused, strong individuals if our values contradict. If we are unstable in our commitment to His philosophy, our lives are vulnerable to wobble and perhaps crash. Why? Because God educates us and prepares us to respond, react and act in ways which will deliver us peace, justice and joy. But if we serve our greed or desire instead of Him, we will not find peace, justice or joy. Only cyclical discontentment. 

The aforementioned steps are a formula which enables God to produce victory for the group and individual.

7:4 With the service of Samuel as His prophet, God's message reaches the children of Israel and they respond to it. They put away their false gods and focus their attention on the true creator and power of the universe. 

7:5 Samuel tells the children of Israel to gather and he will pray for them. Even though in our own day, we have more personal relationships with God, the children of Israel were often represented by a prophet or leader (like Samuel, or Moses). God's ultimate goal is for each individual to have a personal, intricate relationship with Him. He wishes to communicate directly with each of His children. He wants to be invested in every detail of our lives and waits for us to invite Him in.

7:6 The children of Israel begin a process of genuine effort to realign themselves with God. Their effort acknowledges the ways that they neglected God; they were ungrateful for His help, leadership and love. They rejected His philosophy of justice and compassion. At this gathering in Mizpah, they begin to recognize their errors and seek redemption and restoration. 

7:7 The Philistines have grown used to the weak and victory-less children of Israel; they do not know that the children of Israel have made themselves right with God once again. Therefore, the Philistines do not realize that their target has become invulnerable and mightily powerful (through their faith).

7:8 When the children of Israel hear about the Philistine's planned action against them, they ask Samuel to pray to God on their behalf. They wished to be saved by God from their enemies. Again we notice that the children of Israel do not have strong personal relationships with God, they rely very heavily on a prophet or spokesperson to deliver their messages to God (their faith, although restored, was not yet truly deep and personal).

7:9 Still, Samuel understood his position as servant of both God and the children of Israel. Samuel makes an offering to God (an ancient and obsolete way of showing reverence to God) and relays the message. Samuel cries  out to the Lord - this is an emphatic prayer. A prayer filled with love, gratitude and trust. Samuel himself is a product of earnest prayer; he was born from the womb of a barren but faithful woman).

Instead of: "Hey, God can you help us?" Samuel's emphatic cry to the Lord would have looked more like the prayer Jesus taught us, "Our Father who is in Heaven, hallowed be your name...". An earnest, passionate prayer speaks of our love and trust in God. It speaks of Him as our creator, our loving parent. It speaks of gratitude for His willingness to rescue and lead us. The Philistines present a very real threat to the children of Israel, Samuel goes to God with pure hope for His protection. With pure belief in the power of His protection. 

7:10 As Samuel is prayer, God already begins answering the prayer. The Philistines begin their march against the children of Israel and God ensures that they are so thwarted by storm that they are overcome by defeat before even reaching their target.

God is more than quick in answering our prayers (though sometimes we may not feel that way). God knows the perfect timing for everything. He can see forward, behind and all circumstances of the present simultaneously. He knows what we need and hope for and He knows how to deliver.

7:11 God weakened the Philistines so much that the children of Israel are easily able to chase their enemy away.

7:12 Samuel exhibits acknowledgment of God's help as well as gratitude. He places a stone of remembrance in the place God delivered their victory. Like Joshua had, Samuel has the idea of creating a place which will inspire the children of Israel to remember God's presence and power in their lives.

7:13 The defeat was enough for the Philistines to realize that they have no power over the children of Israel. Each of God's children has a protective barrier against enemies. His presence in our lives is made clear to those who try to trespass against us and they learn to stay away from us. The only effort we need to exert is in love and faith for Him.

7:14 Physically and figuratively, the children of Israel find recovery and restoration. They are no longer broken or brittle and neither is their home. They begin again to prosper in peace and land. The lesson for them, and us, is that despite what the way of the world may tell us, God establishes us on this earth. He establishes our prosperity and peace. The only ambition we need is to be ambitious in fulfilling the purpose of His philosophy of compassion. When we are focused on Him, He's focused on perfecting the details of our lives.

7:15 Samuel retains his position as prophet his entire life. Samuel never becomes arrogant or lustful for power or anything else. He remains faithful to our God and happily spends his life in servitude to Him. For children of God who live as servants of His will are treated like royalty by Him.

7:16 Samuel ensures that he moves throughout the region to reach each family in Israel. Samuel inspired God's word and kept it alive in people's minds and homes. Each moment we spent with God keeps us secure... but moments away from Him loosen our grip on His philosophy. Samuel's constantly travel enabled each family to remain focused on God and everything He teaches. 

7:17 Although he traveled often, Samuel also made sure to return home. In the place of his home, he made an altar for God and served as judge of Israel. Samuel's job as judge was done by hearing and solving matters in accordance with God's word. It's beautiful that although he put in many miles for gods word, he was always able to return to home base - the place where he grew up and learned to love and listen to the Lord.

Each of us, no matter what service we provide under the leadership of God, have a home base. God is pleased to provide us a home, a place to maintain and ever-strengthen our own connection with Him. All his life, Samuel never stops responding "Here am I" to God and because of that, God was always there for him.

OT: The First Book of Samuel, Chapter 6

1 Samuel 6:1-21

6:1-2 The Philistines have had the ark of God for almost a year and they are eager to be rid of it. They believe that its presence, rather than their corrupt lifestyle, is causing them strife and destruction.

6:3 The Philistine priests decide they they cannot get rid of the ark without first making an offering to God. Although unwilling to follow Him, they have finally acknowledged His authority.

6:4-5 They contemplate the trespass offering they will give. Indeed they have trespassed against God by stealing the ark and expecting it to have power to support their corrupt endeavors. They decide to give an offering for each offending military lord.

6:6 The Philistines remember God's history with His enemies. The Egyptians and Pharaoh hardened their hearts and until they stopped opposing Him, their plagues persisted. 

6:7-10 The Philistines decide to place the art on a cart pulled by nursing cows. They tried to manipulate the situation. If the cows pulled the cart toward the Philistines (but actually toward their nursing calves) the Philistines felt they were innocent of God's wrath. If, however, the cows headed in the other direction - Beth Shemesh - then they had done an evil against God.

6:11-12 The cows pulling the card head straight away from the Philistines (and their calves). With clear direction, the cows profess to the Philistines that their actions are corrupt and against nature.

6:13 The people of Beth Shemesh are busy harvesting wheat in their valley when they look up to see the calves carrying the ark of God. Immediately they rejoice at the sight. 

6:14-15 They offer the cows as sacrifice to God (burned offerings have since been made obsolete, Hosea 6:6). Yet instead of respecting the symbol of the ark, they place the gold from the chest on a platform. Their morals are still incongruous to God's will.

6:16 The Philistines observe the Ark's return and then leave for their own region.

6:17-19 Because of the continued corruption of the Levites, God continues His discipline, not allowing the corrupt to live and thrive. This once again teaches that possession of idols does not render one holy or righteous. 

6:20-21 The people of Beth Shemesh, still disconnected with God, do not understand their flaw. They are not connecting their corrupt actions with God's fury. Rather than trying to be more righteous, they lament their seeming inability to please God.

Rather than pitiful, we should be dutiful. We are responsible for the nature of our character. God has not set impossible standards. He has asked decency of us and His reward far exceeds the effort it takes to simply be a decent human. Practice patience and compassion in every moment of interaction, thought, action, and decision.

OT: The First Book of Samuel, Chapter 5

1 Samuel 5:1-12

5:1-2 The Philistines bring the ark of God back into their territory. The place the ark in the place of their idol-god, Dagon. The Philistines believe that having the ark will add power to their military.  

5:3-5 However, each morning the Philistines wake up to find that the idol of their god Dagon is tipped over on its face. They right the structure only to find it fallen and desecrated the next morning. People became superstitious of the location, not understanding that the point was the false-god could not compare to the true God (represented by the ark).

5:6-8 The Ark did not belong to them and soon affliction caused the people to think it cursed. They begin to discuss ways to get rid of it: they bring it to Gath. 

5:9 The Philistines did not understand - or refused to contemplate - that the only way they could escape God's wrath was to quit their corruption. 

5:10-12 No matter where the ark was brought, the people were terrified of it. Had they changed their behavior to righteousness, they might have realized the ark was a symbol of love and defense from the true, omnipotent God.

OT: The First Book of Samuel, Chapter 4

1 Samuel 4:1-22

4:1-2 The children of Israel enter a battle against the Philistines and are soundly defeated.

4:3-4 The children of Israel do not understand why they lost the war; they are used to their ancestors effortlessly winning battles against their enemies. We begin to understand why they lost the battle even if they do not: they do not love or even know God. They are not connected with His will because they have abandoned His philosophy in their lifestyle.

They mistakenly believe that if they carry the ark of the covenant into battle, it will cause God to fight on their behalf. They believe that the power of God is a thing. Children of God understand that to have His presence, power and defense, they need only love and follow Him.

4:5-9 God has a reputation: as soon as the Philistines see that the children of Israel have brought they ark, they become afraid. The problem is that the children of Israel behave as the Philistines; they do not know God or understand His power. 

4:10 Despite the children of Israel's confidence and the Philistine's fear, the children of Israel are again defeated. 

These verses instruct us on the manner through which we receive God's power in our lives. We cannot worship an idol or place our faith in a thing, expecting it to help us receive whatever we want. True persons of God understand that rather than recruiting God, especially through an idol, into selfish plans, we are meant to align ourselves with His plans. For to align with God is to align with purpose, joy, wisdom and creation. 

4:11 Not only do the Philistines thoroughly defeat the children of Israel, they also take the ark (the representation of the Israelite faith and God). Eli's sons, Hophni and Phinehas die. 

4:12-15 Meanwhile, Eli is nervously waiting for news of the battle. A messenger arrives and informs Eli of the defeat. Eli is nervous for the ark; Eli has already been told by God that his family will perish. Eli fears that losing the ark does not bode well for the children of Israel.

4:16-17 Eli inquires after his sons and the messenger explains that they both died. He also tells Eli that the ark has been taken.

4:18 When Eli finds out about the art, he falls over and dies. The loss of the ark is fearsome representation of how Eli's family have disregarded (and disrespected) God's will. Eli's sons corrupt behavior caused the faith to become corrupted and the truth of that causes Eli more pain than he can sustain.

4:19-22 Phinehas' wife goes into labor; upon finding out about the stolen ark, the death of her father-in-law and husband, she is stripped of joy. The birth is representative of a generation born into a corruption. Her hope is depleted, knowing the condition of the world. 

But we who do not abandon God do not have to fear such things as the condition of the world. Our connection with God enables us to receive His expert orchestration into purpose and joy (Ruth and Boaz lived in a corrupt generation but their love and respect for God, their compassionate souls, allowed God to blossom joy and life in their own little niche of the earth).

OT: The First Book of Samuel, Chapter 3

1 Samuel 3:1-21

3:1 As promised to God by Hannah, Samuel is raised as a prophet under the care of Eli. Samuel is built and nourished as a prophet in the midst of a faithless generation. Those who have remained true to God are few. 

3:2 Literally and physiologically, Eli loses his place as prominent teacher of the word. Eli has ashamed God by allowed his sons to live wickedly in the house of the Lord. Eli's sons are supposed to represent God, instead, their actions influence people to further abandon God. 

We can understand how impactful we each are by this account of Hophni and Phinehas. God has expressed anger against Eli and his sons because their behavior is destroying the grace faithful men and women before them have built. What we say and do matters to the people and world around us. 

3:3 Before Eli's final, figurative dismissal, God calls to Samuel. It is mentioned that before the candle (lamp) goes out where the ark of God is, God reaches out to Samuel: God always ensures that there is a light in the world for His children who are walking in darkness toward Him.

Matthew 5:14-16 

14 “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

Children of God serve Him as righteous beacons. Safe havens. Wise observers. Awakened watchmen. God is ready to established Samuel as such and more. Samuel, evidently, is ready as well. God chooses the perfect timing for all things. As a prophet of the Lord, Samuel will guide his generation with the word of God in a time when it is desperately needed. There is corruption even in the house of the Lord, where people are supposed to be able to come to rest and learn in grace. (We know just how infuriated God is when His house is corrupted by wickedness, Matthew 21:12-13.)

3:4-5 Samuel mistakes the voice of God as Eli's voice: "Here am I." We learn from this that while Samuel is an attentive, dutiful and passionate pupil (arising immediately at beckoning) he does not yet have a personal relationship with God. Samuel does not yet recognize the voice of God. This is a journey of development of faith for each individual - reaching the point when we recognize our spiritual Father's presence in addition to His word.

Eli tells Samuel that he did not call him and sends him to go lay down again.

3:6-7 Again, the Lord calls to the young boy: "Samuel!" and Samuel responds: Here am I. Once, twice, and given a third time, the Lord will raise Samuel as a prophet. The implied process is important. Our faith is layered. There is acknowledgment and then acceptance. There is hearing and then listening. There is committing and sustaining. 

God has been calling to Samuel his entire life, and because Samuel keeps listening, God keeps reaching out for him. Because Samuel keeps answering, God continues to prepare him for a great purpose. God calls each of our names as well, as long as we continue to listen for and to Him.

For a second time, Eli tells Samuel that he did not call him and sends him to go lay down again. Eli has been Samuel's teacher. Eli himself is not a corrupt man, but his inability to confront evil renders him incapable of the job. God needs children who will be warriors against evil. God needs spiritual soldiers who will choose righteousness over even family (if family is corrupt, like Eli's is). But Eli has taught Samuel, his young and eager student well. Samuel has been receptive to the word of God... ready even when woken from sleep for service toward the Lord.

3:8 Samuel hears his named called again and goes to Eli. Without frustration, for a third time Samuel proclaims: Here am I. These are beautiful words on God's hears. An eager child, ready to absorb His word, do His work. Further study is done on these three words in this work: Who Am I v. Here Am I.

When we are open to God's word, love and will, He is ready to take us places we never dreamed possible. The words God, Here am I, tell Him that we trust Him to do whatever He wants to our lives. He will use our lives to majorly impact the lives of so many others. He tailors us, propels our greatest potential toward fulfillment. 

Eli begins to understand that God is calling out to Samuel.

3:9 Eli instructs Samuel to return to his bed and the next time he hears his name called answered the call this way: Speak, Lord, for Your servant hears. This is a bold and righteous declaration. By saying this to God, we tell Him that not only are we receptive to His word, we are ready to act on it. We hear, in the perceptively deep way that His word teaches us to, Matthew 13:9. We see His vision for the humanity. We understand the purpose and meaning and are ready to be proponents of it. 

3:10 This time, when God calls to Samuel, Samuel answers God. This is symbolic: Raised as a prophet, Samuel is taught to be receptive to God's word, will and voice. For his service as a prophet will depend on his ability to be familiar with God's voice and to follow His instruction. 

3:11 God explains to Samuel that He has massive plans for the children of Israel - massive enough that even the foretelling of it will shock people.

3:12 He tells Samuel that Eli's house will diminish into nothing because of its wickedness. A corrupt line of spiritual teachers are removed from their platform; God is righteous and indignant on behalf of His children who are taught evil by corrupt men.

3:13-14 Eli has already been told by God of this, it will not come as a shock to him. 

3:15-16 Samuel wakes in the morning will everything God explained to him on his heart. Samuel is troubled; he does not want to upset Eli with the word he received from God. Samuel's empathy reveals more of his character: he does not have a harsh or arrogant heart. Although privileged to have been personal visited by God, Samuel is not hasty to boast about it. 

3:17 Eli comforts Samuel by allowing him to be truthful without fearing admonishment or hurt feelings. Samuel's service to God as prophet requires that he be vocal of His will and honest in every circumstance. Not that Samuel was contemplating it, but Eli explains that to deny or oppose God's will is the worst thing he could possibly do. In Mark 3:39 that for all of the sins humanity commits, the one which is unpardonable is to be visited by the Holy Spirit (Righteousness alive and present) and to oppose It.  

Samuel did not want to oppose God - he simply did not want to hurt Eli with the harsh truth. But Eli's family caused their end and Eli understands this. Jesus explains to the disciples that a worker of God needs strength and courage, Matthew 20:22. After all, the confrontation of evil and the denial of death itself requires deep and steadfast faith. Samuel will at times need to speak things which are difficult to say, the disciples who came after him had to experience things which we difficult to endure (imprisonment, violence, rejection, scoffing). God ensures that His steadfastly faithful children are equipped for the job but steadfast faith is a requirement. 

3:18 Understanding, Samuel speaks the entire revelation to Eli. No sugar-coating, no omissions. Eli accepts the word of the Lord, he knows that his sons have caused great damage and must be uprooted. 

3:19 Samuel continues to mature under the direction of God. He absorbs it all, cherishing and exalting the will and word of the Creator and Organizer of the earth, humanity and universe. In Luke 2:52 we learn that Jesus was raised in similar fashion, under the love and direction of Wisdom Himself.

We are offered the same opportunity: to grow and learn under His wing. We must be rapt and dutiful students and God will send us also out into the earth prepared and able to move mountains, nations, whatever and whomever blocks or damages justice. 

3:20 It becomes known and understood to the entire body of the children of Israel that Samuel is a prophet, chosen and raised by God. Remember that Samuel was conceived by faith and drawn out of Hannah's womb by faith. His birth was unlikely, before God. His status as prophet impossible. A miracle came into existent over a raw, honest prayer. 

3:21 The Lord appears again to Samuel in Shiloh, carrying the force of the word and will of God.