April 9th

1 Samuel 1:9-4:11

As the period of judges comes to an end, we would expect to see a transitional period, in which God closes one chapter and begins another. That transition occurred in the life of Samuel (3:11), the last judge and the prophet whom God used to ordain the first kings. While we don’t have extended details of his early years, we are allowed to see several snap shots.

First, we learn of Samuel’s mother, Hannah, who faithfully prayed for him before and after he was born and who dedicated him to the Lord’s service. Second, we see that the immorality of that period reached even into the priestly family, as Hophni and Phinehas disdained God’s laws and sanctuary. We also see that Eli the High Priest didn’t do anything about it. A stark contrast exists here regarding parenting. While Eli honored his sons above the Lord (not disciplining them for sinning against the Lord), Hannah honored the Lord above her son. While children are important, a parent’s love for them should never eclipse his or her love for and obedience to God and His Word.

Finally, we get a glimpse of Samuel’s prophetic call, as he delivers the terrible news that God’s judgment is about to befall the priesthood and the nation. The Israelites lose a great battle to the Philistines, the priests Hophni and Phinehas are slain, and the Ark of the Covenant is taken. It is the darkest day in the nation’s history, the culmination of its unfaithfulness and apostasy.

While the pictures of Christ are not as obvious here as in other places, they are present nonetheless. In Hannah’s wonderful prayer, she hinted at the Lord’s “coming King, the anointed one whom He will exalt” (2:10). A mysterious man of God appeared and told Eli that God would raise up a faithful priest, “whose house would endure forever” (2:35). Finally, Samuel himself was a type of Christ, given to a godly woman, dedicated to the Lord from birth, who spends a great deal of time in the house of God, grows in favor with God and men (2:26; Luke 2:52), and is the spiritual leader of the people.

Daily Reflection

What I found most encouraging today is that, despite the terrible state of Israel, God was still working. Even though “in those days, messages from the Lord were very rare and visions were quite uncommon” (3:1), they still occurred. God had not aborted His plans nor abandoned His people. Although He was very upset, the Lord was still behind the scenes orchestrating events, fulfilling His purposes.

What encouragement can you find here for your own life or for our nation?

I must admit that there are times when I think that our nation is on the edge of the abyss, that God’s wrath is about to be poured out because of our unfaithfulness and immorality. However, I am often reminded that our national apostasy (the abandonment or renunciation of a religious or political belief) does not thwart His purposes. Furthermore, while our land is full of people like Hophni and Phinehas, those who despise His statutes, and even people like Eli, who claim to be on God’s side but who don’t honor Him with their deeds, I’m grateful that there are Samuels here and there who remain faithful to the Lord. Which one are you — Hophni, Phinehas, Eli, or Samuel? “The Lord will protect His godly ones, but the wicked will perish in darkness.”

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