Samuel 4-8

Samuel grows up and assumes his role as Israel's Judge. Eli grows old. Eli's bad sons continue their havoc in the temple.

At this time Israel tries unsuccessfully to free themselves of the subjugation of the Philistines. Clearly the Philistines were a stronger and better army compared to the rag tag forces of the disunited Israelites. The Israelites, in desperation, resort to using the Ark as a secret weapon against the Philistines. This doesn't work out and the Ark is captured by the Philistines. In the defeat, Eli's sons die, Eli dies and Eli's daughter in law dies in childbirth giving birth to a son called Ichabod (The glory has departed from Israel).

Initially the Ark was a trophy for the Philistines who brought it into their temple of Dagon, but soon the discover the Ark was more trouble than they had anticipated. After a while they cannot wait to get rid of it from with their midst.

So the Ark was sent of per courtesy of a un-manned cow cart laden with gold offerings. The people of Beth Shemesh were the first to received the Ark. At first they happy happy kept the Ark (got gold offering, pilgrimage/tourist potential, status mah!). But after 70 people died after not following Ark protocol, they decided to send the Ark away. Next city to receive was Kiriath Jearim and they also happy happy keep the Ark. But this time they manage it better so were able to survive peacefully for 20 years.

In the meantime, under Samuel's leadership, the Israelites return to YHWH who blessed them with military victories against their nemesis the Philistines.

At the end of this reading, the Israelites have achieved a kinda truce situation with the Philistines and live rather peacefully. This is no doubt a consequence of Samuel's committed leadership. However, storms begin to brew as Samuel gets old and perhaps less able to travel around the countryside maintaining peace and order and providing the kind of energetic political and spiritual leadership he could when he was younger. His sons have also turned out quite bad and unsuitable as leaders. The Israelites by this time have become more conscious of their nationalism, and Samuel's weakened leadership begins the people's search for a political and military leader that they see other other countries have. They ask for a king.

One funny thing in the background is that at this time there is a physical separation of the Ark (kept by Kiriath Jearim) and the Tabernacle (Shiloh). Samuel seems not to have done anything about this! Strange.