Year 1, Week 29, Day 2 Bible Reading Observations

Year 1, Week 29, Day 2

I have a brief observation for today’s reading of 1 Samuel 2-3.

Today’s reading continues the story of Samuel. 1 Samuel 2 records the prayer of Hannah. Hannah’s prayer exults in the LORD for how He brings down the mighty, yet lifts up the feeble: “The bows of the mighty are broken, but the feeble bind on strength” (1 Samuel 2:4). The historical narratives in the Book of Samuel (originally, Samuel was one book, not two) are structured by three pieces of lyrical poetry—one at the front (1 Samuel 2:1-10); one in the middle (2 Samuel 1:19-27); and one at the end (2 Samuel 22:1-23:7). Each poetical piece contrasts the strong and the proud with the humble and the weak. The pattern of God’s Kingdom that is emerging from 1 & 2 Samuel is that the LORD will establish His Kingdom through the humble and weak. 1 Samuel 2 also begins the stark contrast between the life of Samuel and that of two sons of Eli, the priest. The contrast between Hophni and Phinehas who are portrayed as the strong and proud, but also negligent toward God’s honor; and Samuel, who is humble and weak, but inclined toward God’s honor is very stark. 1 Samuel 3 describes the calling of Samuel.

One of the things that struck me in today’s reading was the heightened emphasis placed on the growing faithfulness of Samuel: “Moses and Aaron were among his priests, Samuel also was among those who called upon his name. They called to the LORD, and he answered them. In the pillar of the cloud he spoke to them; they kept his testimonies and the statute that he gave them” (Psalm 99:6-7). The LORD is clearly at work in Samuel’s life. While he was just a young boy, the LORD’s hand was upon him: “Now the boy Samuel continued to grow both in stature and in favor with the LORD and also with man” (1 Samuel 2:26). Immediately after his formal calling by the LORD, we again read: "And Samuel grew, and the LORD was with him and let none of his words fall to the ground” (1 Samuel 3:19). The LORD would greatly use Samuel. All of Israel would take notice: "And all Israel from Dan to Beersheba knew that Samuel was established as a prophet of the LORD” (1 Samuel 2:20). Samuel, a Judge and priest, would become a prophet as well. And the starting point for what the LORD would accomplish through Samuel would be the LORD being present with Samuel: “And the LORD appeared again at Shiloh, for the LORD revealed himself to Samuel at Shiloh by the word of the LORD” (1 Samuel 2:21).

On the other hand, the sons of Eli are scoundrels: “Now the sons of Eli were worthless men. They did not know the LORD” (1 Samuel 2:12). The LORD was not at work in the lives of Hophni and Phinehas. While they were priests, by virtue of their ancestry, the LORD was displeased with them for they were taking for themselves what belonged to the LORD: “Thus the sin of the young men was very great in the sight of the LORD, for the men treated the offering of the LORD with contempt” (2 Samuel 2:17). Eli somewhat reluctantly confronted them, but they did not listen. The LORD’s judgment was already upon them: “But they would not listen to the voice of their father, for it was the will of the LORD to put them to death” (1 Samuel 2:25b). In fact, judgment would fall upon the house of Eli: “Therefore the LORD, the God of Israel, declares: ‘I promised that your house and the house of your father should go in and out before me forever,’ but now the LORD declares: ‘Far be it from me, for those who honor me I will honor, and those who despise me shall be lightly esteemed. Behold, the days are coming when I will cut off your strength and the strength of your father's house, so that there will not be an old man in your house” (1 Samuel 2:30-31). Some aspects of this judgment upon the house of Eli will take place very soon, other aspects of this judgment will not occur until the reign of Saul, and still other aspects of this judgment will not occur until after the reign of Solomon. While the erasure of the house of Eli will take a while, it will happen.

However, the LORD would not be without a priestly line: “And I will raise up for myself a faithful priest, who shall do according to what is in my heart and in my mind. And I will build him a sure house, and he shall go in and out before my anointed forever” (1 Samuel 2:35). Temporarily, Samuel will emerge as a faithful priest. Nevertheless, the LORD has even more in mind. During the reign of David and beyond, the line of Zadok would serve as a faithful priest. The line of Zadok and the line of David would serve the LORD’s people side by side, until God would raise up a Son of David who would be king and priest: “The LORD says to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool.” The LORD sends forth from Zion your mighty scepter. Rule in the midst of your enemies! The LORD has sworn and will not change his mind, “You are a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek” (Psalm 110:1-2,4). This would find its fulfillment in the Lord Jesus Christ, as the New Testament writers loved using Psalm 110 in reference to Jesus. But beyond Jesus, now Jesus’ people are to comprise a faithful priesthood: “As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 2:4-5).

What struck you in today’s reading? What questions were prompted from today’s reading?

Pastor Joe