CHAPTER SIXTime of TransitionSCRIPTURE COVERED: I Samuel TIME COVERED: ca. 1100-1000 B.C. Crucial was the threat of Philistine supremacy over Israel. The Philistines, being settled in the maritime plain in the southwestern part of Palestine, began to overrun the Israelites in the days of Samson. With the Israelites lacking centralized national leadership, they failed in repulsing the Philistines. Even though Samson was endowed with supernatural power, he failed to use this to the best advantage of Israel's national interest. Philistine superiority over Israel is best explained by the fact that they held the secrets in smelting iron. Although the Hittites in Asia Minor had been iron founders before 1200 B.C., the Philistines were the first to use this process in Palestine. They guarded this monopoly carefully and as a result held Israel at their mercy. "There was no smith found throughout all the land of Israel" (I Sam. 13:19-22). As a result the Israelites were dependent upon the Philistines for the production of spears and swords as well as the sharpening of their farm implements. Politically the Philistines occupied at least five cities in the maritime plain which were independently ruled by a "lord." The names of these cities; Ashkelon, Ashdod, Ekron, Gaza, and Gath, appear in the biblical records. The Scriptures reflect this struggle between the Philistines and the Israelites during several generations. Under the leadership of Eli, Samuel, and Saul, the tribes of Israel were united to some extent in their resistance against the Philistines. There were times when it seemed as though the Israelites were on the verge of being subjected to hopeless slavery. By about 1000 B.C. under David the power of the Philistines was broken.
ELI AS PRIEST AND JUDGE
The events related in I Samuel 1-4 occurred during the days of Eli's leadership. They may be briefly outlined as follows:
Shiloh, where the tabernacle was erected in the days of Joshua (Josh. 18:1), apparently continued to be Israel's religious center. Here Eli served as high priest and provided religious and civil leadership for the people. Although the narrative already is focused upon Samuel, the conditions existing during the days of Eli are vividly portrayed. A. Religious apostasy The religion of Israel was at an all-time low when Eli was in charge. He failed to teach his sons to revere God as Moses had clearly instructed Israelite parents to do (Deut. 4-6). Of Eli's sons, Hophni and Phinehas, it is said "they knew not the Lord" (I Sam. 2:12). Nevertheless, they were allowed to assume priestly responsibilities, taking advantage of the people as they came to sacrifice and worship. Not only did they rob God in demanding the priestly portion before sacrifice was made, but they conducted themselves in such a manner that the people abhorred bringing their sacrifices to Shiloh. They profaned the sanctuary with the baseness and debauchery common in Canaanite religion. Consequently, it is not surprising that Israel continued to degenerate into increasingly corrupt religious practices. This religious atmosphere in Shiloh was the environment to which Samuel was exposed as a growing child. Transferred from the care of a Godfearing mother, Samuel was subjected to the evil degrading influences of the sons of the high priest in the national religious center. It was to the benefit of Israel that Samuel reacted against this godless pressure and became conscious of God's call in the early years of his life. B. Impending judgment The laxity of Eli provoked God's judgment. Twice he was warned. An unnamed prophet clearly pointed out to Eli that he was honoring his sons more than he honored God (I Sam. 2:30). His lack of parental discipline extended to his priestly office as the sons assumed responsibilities at the tabernacle. With the call of Samuel, a second message of warning was conveyed to Eli (I Sam. 3). The day of judgment affected the entire nation. In the course of a battle against the Philistines, the sons of Eli yielded to the pressure of the people to take the ark of the covenant out of the Holy of Holies in the tabernacle and bring it into the battlefield. This was done hoping it would force God to give them victory. The defeat of Israel was crushing. The ark was stolen, the sons of Eli were slain, and the report of these reverses for Israel shocked Eli so that he collapsed and died. In all likelihood, Shiloh was destroyed. When the ark was returned, it was placed in a private home. No mention is made of Shiloh or the tabernacle. Shortly after this, priests officiated at Nob (I Sam. 2 1: I). So demoralizing was this defeat of Israel that when Eli's daughter-in-law gave birth to a son she named him "Ichabod" because she sensed that God's blessing had been withdrawn from Israel.
SAMUEL AS PROPHET, PRIEST, AND JUDGE
Brief but significant are the chapters in I Samuel that project the religious and political changes that took place under the leadership of Samuel. Consider the following outline:
Samuel has a unique place in Israel's history. He was the last of the judges who exercised civil jurisdiction over Israel in that capacity. Although he was not of the lineage of Aaron, he officiated as the leading priest. He also gained renown as a prophet and established schools of the prophets who influenced the kings of Israel in succeeding generations. A. Effective leadership Samuel erected an altar in his home town of Ramah. Although the ark was returned, it was stored in the home of Abinadab until the time of David. Samuel established circuits throughout Israel in performing his priestly duties and effective teaching ministry. Places mentioned in the Biblical account are: Mizpah, Ramah, Gilgal, Bethlehem, Bethel, and Beersheba. In the course of time, prophetic bands gathered about Samuel, as all Israel from Dan to Beersheba became conscious of the fact that he was established as a prophet of the Lord. The purging of Canaanite cultic worship from the ranks of Israel was also effected under the influence of Samuel. When Samuel gathered the Israelites for a convocation of prayer, fasting, and sacrifice at Mizpah, the Philistines attacked. In the midst of the battle, the Philistines were confused and fled as a result of a severe thunderstorm. Samuel acknowledged God's help and intervention by erecting a stone which he named "Ebenezer" meaning "Hitherto hath the Lord helped us" (I Sam. 7:12). Not again did the Philistines attack the Israelites while Samuel was in charge of Israel. B. Request for a king Reluctantly, Samuel listened and finally consented to Israel's demand for a king. Samuel eloquently implored his people "not to impose upon themselves a Canaanite institution alien to their own way of life." Sensitive to divine guidance, Samuel agreed and turned the affairs of state over to a new leader (I Sam. 8:7-22).
SAUL ANOINTED AS ISRAEL'S FIRST KINGSaul was God's choice to be Israel's first king after the people clamored for a leader like unto other nations. Saul was privately anointed and publicly acclaimed in a convocation at Mizpah, as the people enthusiastically shouted "Long live the king." The nature of kingship in Israel, however, was uniquely set forth in the statement that Saul was to be "captain of His (God's) inheritance" (I Sam. 9:16; 10:1). The deliverance of Jabesh-gilead from the Ammonite threat under the leadership of Saul projected the new king into the national limelight. In a public meeting at Gilgal after this victory Samuel publicly endorsed Saul as king with the warning that prosperity was dependent upon the obedience of the king as well as his subjects to the Law of Moses. This message was confirmed by a sudden rain and thunder during the wheat harvest, about May 15 to June 15. This was considered as a miracle since normally Palestine has virtually no rain from April to October. Samuel, however, assured his people of his sincere interest in their future welfare in his public statement: "God forbid that I should sin against the Lord in ceasing to pray for you."
Saul's leadership of Israel is vividly and dramatically portrayed in the remaining chapters of I Samuel. For a survey account, we may divide this into three outline units as indicated in the following pages.
Saul led his nation in numerous military victories. On a hill three miles north of Jerusalem he established Gibeah as a strong palace-fort that apparently served as his capital while he was king of Israel. Saul routed the Philistines at Michmash and defeated numerous other nations in addition to the Amalekites (I Sam. 14:47, 48). King Saul had numerous advantages in his favor as he assumed the kingship. He was successful as a military leader and gained the national acclaim of his people. He also had the spiritual support of the nationally known prophet Samuel who assured the king as well as the people of intercessory prayer. Success and public acclaim, however, did not obscure the personal weaknesses in Saul's character. These became evident in his impatience to wait for Samuel at Gilgal where Saul assumed priestly duties, and his disobedience to God's command through the prophet to utterly destroy the Amalekites. Sternly, Samuel rebuked him in the warning that "to obey is better than sacrifice." In failing to recognize his sacred trust, Saul was reminded that he had forfeited the kingdom.
DAVID'S RISE TO NATIONAL FAME
David's anointing by Samuel was unknown to Saul. In this experience the prophet Samuel was taught the lesson that man is prone to look on the outward appearance but the Lord appraises the heart. David in his youthful days had extensive preparation. During this time, he not only learned how to play instruments, but also to develop his strength and ingenuity in fighting off lions and bears. At the same time, he learned to place his trust in God for divine aid. On an errand of serving his older brothers who were in the army, David heard Goliath challenging the Israelites. David reasoned that God would help him kill the giant. By killing Goliath, David suddenly gained national recognition. While David had been brought before the king on previous occasions as a musician to calm Saul's troubled spirit, he then served the royal court on a permanent basis.
Saul yielded to jealousy as David arose in national fame. When subtle schemes devised to ensnare David failed repeatedly, Saul began to persecute David. In the meantime, one of the noblest friendships in the Old Testament developed between Jonathan and David which made it possible for the latter to be constantly aware of the king's malicious designs. Eventually, David was forced to take refuge in the Judean desert. During the times that Saul pursued David and his men, David twice had the opportunity to take the king's life but always refrained, affirming that he would not touch the Lord's anointed. The Philistine-Israelite conflict:
David's fear that Saul might overtake him unawares caused him to seek refuge in the land of the Philistines. During the last year and a half of Saul's reign, David was granted permission by Achish to reside in the Philistine city of Ziklag. He was denied, however, the privilege of joining the Philistines in their warfare against Saul. When the Philistines faced the Israelite armies that were encamped on Mount Gilboa, Saul had more to fear than this enemy whom he had previously defeated. Samuel, long ago ignored by Saul, was not available for interview. Saul was panic-stricken as he turned to God and received no answer by dream, by Urim, or by prophet. In desperation he turned to spiritualistic mediums which he himself had banned in the past. As Samuel had predicted, Saul's life ended with dismal night as he renewed his encounter with the Philistines. The invaders won a decisive victory, gaining control of the fertile valley of Megiddo from the coast to the Jordan River and occupying numerous cities. Tragic was the termination of the reign of Israel's first king. Although God-chosen and anointed by the praying prophet Samuel, Saul failed to realize that obedience was essential in the sacred and unique trust afforded him by God-to be "captain over His inheritance" (I Sam. 10:1).
Study Guide Questions
2. How was Eli warned about his laxity in his home and his office? 3. Why was the ark not returned to Shiloh? 4. Why did Saul stop at the home of Samuel? 5. Why did the Israelites request a king? 6. What cities were included in Samuel's circuit as a judge and prophet? 7. What talent of David brought him before the king? 8. Who was David's closest friend in the royal family? 9. What was David's attitude toward Saul? 10. Where was Saul's life terminated? |