Observations and Interpretations:
(1) Repeated phrases in chapter 3: the message of God
v 1 Receiving a message from the LORD was rare in those days; revelatory visions were infrequent
v.4-10 the LORD called to Samuel 4 times. Samuel might be ignorant to the call because of inexperience v.7, but Eli as a priest should have known. Eli did not realize that until the 3rd call v.8.
v.10 Then the LORD came and stood nearby, calling as he had previously done, “Samuel! Samuel!” Not only the LORD called Samuel, He came and stood nearby him. The repetition of calling his name and the action of standing resembled the experience of Moses (Exo 3:4, 34:5)
v.15b ...But Samuel was afraid to tell Eli about the vision.
v.19 Samuel continued to grow, and the LORD was with him. None of his prophecies fell to the ground unfulfilled.
v.20 Samuel was confirmed as a prophet of the LORD
v.21 Then the LORD again appeared in Shiloh, for it was in Shiloh that the LORD had revealed himself to Samuel through a message from the LORD. Samuel revealed the word of the LORD to all Israel.
Conclusion: 2 transitions happened in this chapter: (1) from Samuel served under Eli's supervision until Samuel was recognized as the prophet in the whole Israel; (2) from rare messages and visions from God to the messages of the LORD came to Israel again through Samuel.
Although he was inexperienced, the LORD repeatedly reached out to him (not Eli). He not only heard from God, but experienced the standing with the LORD. Actually, the LORD was with him and he continued to reveal the word of the LORD to all Israel.
Reflection: God spoke as long as He found the right person to speak through. Do we treasure the Word of God in the Bible? Do we treasure the presence of God?
Israel again was led by a person who has the message of God. Are we led by the Word of God? Do we recognize the leadership of the Word of God in our lives?
(2) Repeated phrases in chapter 4: the ark and the death of the Eli's family
When Israel was defeated by the Philistines, the ark of God was taken and together with the ark, the 2 sons of Eli were killed. Eli also died when he heard the news v. 4, 11, 18, 19, 21, 22.
(NAC) The writer notes that at the time of Eli’s death he was “heavy” (v. 18)... because of his practice of eating unauthorized sacrificial portions, he was also “heavy”; finally, as a result of the sins he permitted in his own life and household, Eli was a burden that weighed down and ultimately brought disaster upon Israel.
Reflection: The prophecy regarding Eli's family was fulfilled. Do we believe in the prophecy in the Bible? If yes, are we prepared for it?
The way they died was related to their sins. The 2 sons of Eli were contemptuous of the sacrifices of God and therefore when the elders took the ark out to the battle as a "lucky charm" they were there with the ark v.4. Eli died from the falling because of his age and heavy body. He was heavy because of the eating of unauthorized sacrificial portions. What have we done to our sins? The wages of sins are dead. Are we going to repent and ask for the forgiveness of sins?
Audrey
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