In the previous chapters, the ark of
God is captured and taken into exile into the land of the Philistines. However,
Yahweh is not humiliated there. Although the glory of Yahweh had departed from
Israel, it had landed heavily upon Philistia. Yahweh single-handedly glorifies
Himself among the Philistines until they acknowledge His might and power over
their own gods.
The
ark is then sent back to Israel and the Spirit of God begins to stir the
Israelites to repentance. The ark resides in Kirjath-jearim, the house of
Abinidab for twenty years before the people of Israel begin to lament before
the Lord.
Samuel
is serving as a prophet during this time. We do not have record of his
prophecies but no doubt he was preaching repentance to Israel during this time.
Israel was serving the baals and the ashtaroth. These are the foreign gods of
the Caananites and even the Philistines, their chosen enemies. It is no
accident that Yahweh let Israel be defeated by her enemies when Israel had
chosen to serve the idols of her enemies. Israel had never fully forsaken
Yahweh. Even in the days of Hophni and Phinehas, they had desired the favor of
Yahweh. They called upon Yahweh when the Philistines threatened them. The problem
was that they viewed Yahweh as another in the long line of so-called gods of
the land. They did not honor Him, glorify Him, as the One and only true God.
Yahweh
had revealed Himself as the only true God in ages past, in the days of Abraham,
Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Joshua and the Judges. Israel had no warrant for
serving other gods as if they were powerful in any way. In this sense, Yahweh
is a jealous God and will not allow His followers to serve false gods.
This
is the first commandment. Thou Shalt have no other gods before me. Thou shalt
not make any graven image. Thou shalt not bow down to them or serve them. Thou
shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain. Remember the Sabbath day
and keep it holy.
In
this chapter, Israel remembers that Yahweh is the One and only God. As they
confess their sins asking His forgiveness, He receives them and His glory
begins a return to the land. God raises Samuel up not merely as a prophet, one
who speaks the hard words of warning from God but a judge, one who rescues
God’s people and speaks the peace and favor of God upon His people.
As the
people repent, they regain what they have lost. The Lord returns some of the
years the locust has eaten.
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