The Context (1 Samuel 1 & 2)
In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as they saw fit (Judges 21:25). The priest in Shiloh was Eli. The sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas were notorious in desecrating the priestly office. They were behaving wickedly by taking for themselves all the prime cuts, the fat of meat from sacrifices. Fat as per law belongs to God during any sacrifice. (Leviticus 3:17) They also committed adultery with the women who served at the sanctuary entrance. (1 Samuel 2:18-36) I guess Hannah dedicated her child to be a priest of a different kind, unlike Eli’s sons, after having heard of all their filthy stories. (1 Samuel 1:11) However Eli remained a passive parent to the end.
The Judgement to the Priestly Office (1 Samuel 4)
God punished Eli’s family for their gross sins against him and the people. Both Hophni and Phinehas died in a war with the Philistines. The Ark of God was captured by the enemies. Hearing this Eli also died on the same day. On the other hand God raised little Samuel as the prophet for the nation of Israel!
The Judgement by the Plague of Emerods (1 Samuel 5, KJV)
The Philistines who captured the Ark of God thought that they can play with the Ark, which literally meant the Presence of God. They placed the Ark in their temple in Ashdod, to only find their deity falling down before the Ark the next day. God also afflicted the panicked people with emerods, a plague that caused many to die. Early Christian scholar Jerome translated it as "swellings of the secret parts".
Frightened the Philistines moved the Ark to Gath. Alas, the young and old of this place were afflicted with the plague too. We do not know whether that was contagious, but for sure it was by the hand of God! Now the Philistines moved the Ark to Ekron. The people of Ekron were frightened to the core. They sent word ahead saying not to bring the Ark to their city rather send it to the Israelites back! However death took a toll in this city. God’s hand was very heavy on it. Those who did not die were afflicted with emerods, and the outcry of the city went up to heaven.
The Judgement to the Israelites (1 Samuel 6, KJV)
One more smiting happened! When the Ark returned to the Israelite territory after being in the Philistine territory for seven months we see the people of Beth Shemesh, who with no reverence to what had happened were punished with death,50070 of them, who looked into the Ark of the Lord. King James Version has this number, unlike other versions, it is 70, but has been described as a great slaughter. Their response takes us to the solution: Who is able to stand before this holy LORD God? and to whom shall he go up from us? (1 Samuel 6:20)
The Solution (1 Samuel 6 & 7)
The solution had to evolve both from the sinful Israel, the chosen people of God who went astray, specially the priestly office that lost its integrity and also from the Philistines who tried to play with the God of Israel. While the Philistines realized their fault and were willing to pay a penalty, there was repentance from the people of Israel too. The Levites offered burnt offerings and made sacrifices to the Lord. The five rulers of the Philistines witnessed the Israelites' repentance scenario.
In chapter 7 we see a greater revival happening under the leadership of prophet Samuel. People of Israel returned to God with all their hearts. Samuel interceded for Israel. God heard him. Peace was restored in the nation.
Today we need to realize where all we went wrong as a community these days with the outbreak of the global epidemic, the COVID -19. The people of God should repent first. For it is time for judgement to begin with God's household; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? (1 Peter 4:17) Let the world see how we repent for our sins of bad repute, financial misappropriations, sexual exploitations, sins at the priestly, bishopric levels. I have named a few. Let the change begin in me. Lord, we want you to heal us, our world. Amen.
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