Samuel Administers Justice (07/01/2012)

July 1, 2012 Background Scripture: 1 Samuel 4 – 7 Lesson Passage: 1 Samuel 7:3 – 17 Samuel holds a very unique place in the history of Israel. He served as prophet, priest, and judge over Israel. It was during his tenure as judge that the nation petitioned to have a king like the other nations around them. Moses had warned their forefathers in the wilderness not to mimic the nations of Canaan by seeking a king. Throughout Israel’s history, God had warned them to avoid trying to be like the nations that were around them. In fact, God warned them that the reason he was displacing those nations and giving the land to Israel was because of the unrighteousness and abominations committed by those nations over a period of centuries. Yet and still, Israel wanted to fit in with her neighbors rather than stand out from them. This was a heartbreaking reality for Samuel. Through what is sometimes referred to as His permissive will, God allowed Israel to have a king although it was not in line with His perfect will for them. As Israel’s official civil and religious leader, it was Samuel’s duty to lead them through this transition. Prior to this transition, Samuel administered justice by serving as Israel’s last judge. Our lesson today gives the background that led to Samuel becoming Israel’s judge and to Israel’s subsequent historic transition from theocracy (God as leader) to monarchy (a king as leader). For years, Israel had been drifting towards idolatry in two ways. On the one hand, they secretly served the pagan gods of their neighbors and on the other hand they began to look towards the Ark of the Covenant as an idol god rather than look at its deeper meaning. The presence of the Ark of the Covenant in their midst was to serve as a reminder that the only true and living God was among them. God was the one to be revered and followed and not the ark. However, this was not Israel’s attitude. Israel’s attitude led them to take the ark into battle along with the two sons of Eli. They were not acting according to God’s directions but according to their own desire. They were attempting to use the ark that God had declared as holy to serve their own sinful wills. Because of their attitude towards the ark, God allowed the ark to be captured by the Philistines and Israel was routed in battle as well. This was a dual embarrassment for them. The news of it caused despair throughout Israel and resulted in Eli falling and breaking his neck and dying upon hearing the distressing news concerning the ark. Note that it was not the news concerning the death of his sons but rather the loss of the ark that led to Eli’s death. This led to Samuel’s rise to replace Eli as Israel’s leader. Afterwards, God allowed the ark to be returned to Israel. Samuel led the nation to get rid of their idols and repent before God and Israel was once again given victory over the Philistines. Israel was able to receive again all of the cities that had been captured by the Philistines and the nation enjoyed peace. During this time of peace, Samuel traveled a circuit through the land of Israel and judged them as God’s appointed leader. Robert C. Hudson June 16, 2012