Page 71 - Advanced OT Survey Student Textbook

Eli. Eli’s sons didn’t know YHWH, defied His law, were rejected by Him, while Samuel served YHWH,
grew in favor with Him, and responded to His calling, being established as His prophet in Israel (2-3).

Samuel: Judge (4-7) after defeat by Philistia, Israel brings ark as a relic to ensure victory enemy afraid of
YHWH, Israel’s amulet- danger! Fulfilling His word to Eli, YHWH allows defeat of Israel, death of Eli’s
family, departure of ark. YHWH abandoned His people (4), but when Philistines bring ark into Dagon’s
temple, He is shown supreme, overpowering Dagon, oppressing Philistia with persistent plague (5). Out
of fear for YHWH, Philistia returns ark to Israel, as test and with token- guilt. Bracketed by disregard for
YHWH, men of Israel look in ark, learn its danger (6). Samuel calls Israel to repent, serve only YHWH.
They fast, confess sin and YHWH thunders to defeat enemy (7).

Testing the Presence of God
The Philistine reaction to capture of the ark of God shows much about the religious beliefs of that
ancient time. People believed that the deities behind the armies were the real military force of the
battle and the defeat of an enemy’s army was also the defeat of the enemy’s god. Because the
Philistines had defeated the Israelite armies, they believed that their god, Dagon, was stronger than
Yahweh, the God of Israel. So they placed Yahweh’s ark in Dagon’s temple (I Sam 5:2)

The result was a plague and a big embarrassment. The Philistines in Ashdod, Gath, and Ekron were
defeated by Israel’s God without the aid of human armies. Another ancient thought was that good or
bad fortune could result from a sacred object. At first, the Philistines believed that the plague was
caused by the ark itself. Tough not certain that Israel’s God was really behind these events, they
decided to return the ark to the Israelites.

Before sending the ark out, the Philistines checked with their priests and diviners, a standard practice in
ancient Near East. Before any activity, official or mundane, worshipers inquired of the gods whether the
action would be a good thing. The unexpected answer: send back the ark, along with the gold images of
tumors and rats, all in honor of Yahweh, the God of Israel. Seeking cures, petitioners used models of
disease as offerings to deities of healing. The objects served as a form of imitative magic, while the god
was a gift to the god.

Still not certain that Israel’s God was really behind their problems, the Philistines set up a test. The
yoked cows having calves to the ark. If the cows turned back to their calves, as would be natural, so that
the ark went nowhere, the Philistines would know the ark was no god, but just a god-plated wooden
box. The cows, of course, went where God directed them, and the Philistines witnessed a God who was
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more powerful than their god, Dagon.

Saul: Selection (8-12). As Samuel grows old and his sons grow corrupt, Israel requests a king to be like
other nations. Ignoring ramifications, they reject God’s rule (8) God appoints Saul of Benjamin, anoints
him signs, alters his heart, allots him as king (9-10) Confirming the choice, as Ammon threatens defeat
and disgrace for Israelite city, Saul receives divine power to destroy the enemy (11). Samuel concludes
his ministry with a challenge: retiring from public service, he promises restitution for any wrongdoing,
rebukes the people for requesting a king, and reminds Israel to obey God’s commands or face dire
consequences, promising prayer (12).

Saul: Rejection (13-15). The road from Saul’s selection to rejection contains three steps: (1) Though
Samuel commanded Saul to wait 7 days at Gilgal (10:8), as Philistia musters, Israel scatters, Saul rebels,
and offering sacrifices for favor. Samuel rebukes Saul as a fool. In battle with Philistia, Saul shows

58 So, That’s Why Bible? Thomas Nelson Publishing, p. 348.
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