So where does Israel go from here? The story of Judges basically follows Israel as it enters into a death spiral and they bottom out in civil war and decay. Is there a way back for Israel, can they recover their standing? Can they survive as a people and as a nation or will they be overrun by their neighbors? And has God grown tired of the grand experiment? Those are all questions that are presented to us as we close out Judges and move to 1 Samuel.
It would seem that Israel is in need of a rebirth or a new birth and that is exactly what happens. The birth of Samuel to the previously barren Hannah begins the story of not only Samuel's birth but the rebirth of Israel and the commitment of God to the covenant. The books of Samuel will cover the birth of Samuel, the rise of Saul to king, his replacement by David, the creation of David's empire and the rise of Solomon. In 1 Samuel, we focus on the birth of Samuel, his rise as prophet and judge, the calling of Saul, Saul's rise and downfall and the call of David.
As the story unfolds in 1 Samuel 1, we learn many things, first of which that Elkanah, the father of Samuel, comes from the tribe of Ephraim, but elsewhere in scripture we also find out that he is of Levite lineage which means that his children are eligible to be priests. Unlike the rest of Israel, Elkanah and family are faithful and frequently travel to Shiloh, which is the central place of worship in Israel at this time.
Like many others in scripture, Hannah is barren, devoid of life. Consider Sarah, Rebekah, Rachel and Samson's mother, all are barren yet God creates life. This ability of God to create life from death is central understanding of the salvation of God. Like Israel, which was surrounded and oppressed by the Philistines, Hannah has her own oppression that of by her fellow wife Penninah.
Opposite Elkanah and Hannah, who perhaps reflect a faithful presence of Israel, stands Eli and his sons, the priests of Israel, who represent how Israel has fallen from its place as the Holy Nation of God. Eli's inability to see the work of God and to assume that Hannah was drunk demonstrates his limited vision. Hannah's faith is rewarded as she bears a son, who she dedicates as a nazirite. Samuel will be consecrated to the Lord.
Hannah's song in 1 Samuel 2 gives voice to the theme of the Great Reversal in the work of God. God raises up the low and brings down the mighty, to those without, God gives abundantly. This is a theme that will reappear in Mary's hymn after being told of her own pregnancy in Luke. In her song, Hannah recites the righteous work of God to redeem and protect and towards the end pointedly reminds us that the "wicked shall be cut off in darkness." God is beginning a new chapter, and the wicked need to be afraid.
Which unfortunately leads us right to Eli's household; Samuel is left to Eli but we are now told what kind of priests Eli and sons are. Perhaps Eli still maintains a priestly presence, but the sons, well they only abuse their office and seek spoils for themselves. Into this mess, Samuel is raised by Eli, but he is not abandoned by his mother who annually visits and cares for him. This devotion by Hannah earns her the favor of God who further blesses her with children.
As Eli hears about the actions of his sons, he attempts to confront from, to no avail. Eli then receives a man of God who proclaims the judgment against Eli's house. It is clear that judgment will fall upon Hophni and Phinehas and Eli will be forced to watch as the judgment comes. Yet God announces that he will raise up a new priest who will lead Israel.
In rather quick work, God calls Samuel, who mistakenly thinks it is Eli calling him. After the second time, Eli realizes that God is calling and instructs Samuel how to respond. The third time Samuel answers God who then speaks to Samuel about the impending judgment against Eli. When Samuel passes on the Words of God to Eli, Eli is resigned to his fate.
Samuel grows in the Lord and his reputation spreads now throughout Israel, a new prophet in the vein of Moses has been raised.
Mark 9
As if to emphasize the point made in Mark 8, Mark 9 opens with the Transfiguration. There can be no mistaking Jesus identity as a voice from heaven proclaims that Jesus is the Son of God. The conversation turns to Elijah, who the disciples saw on the mountain top. If Jesus is the Messiah, then Elijah must come since Elijah is supposed to reappear before the coming of the Messiah. Jesus points out that Elijah has come and that he suffered for it. The author of Mark is referencing the role of John the Baptist portraying Elijah.
Yet, while some disciples see their faith confirmed in Jesus, others struggle to heal a child who is brought to them. It would seem that perhaps Jesus thought they should have been able to heal the boy but towards the end, perhaps not. Part of the power of the story is the remarkable conversion of the father, who pleads for faith, "I believe, help my unbelief." Perhaps no statement better sums up the struggle of faith to follow, we believe, yet we need strength to dispel our unbelief.
Again Jesus refers to his crucifixion and yet again they do not believe this is the second time the disciples have failed to believe the words of Jesus. Just to confirm their lack of understanding, their conversation further devolves into an argument over who is the greatest among themselves. Jesus sets before them what it means to be greatest; those who follow in his example and give of himself or herself for others, the one who willingly serves, one who lives in peace and welcomes all in Christ's name.
The chapter closes out with additional warnings to the disciples, who are clearly struggling with their callings. First, they are concerned that others have power instead of them and seek to stop others from healing in Christ's name. But he points out that they must be doing the willing of God, so do not stop them. Then he points out that if they act in anyway to lead others from faith, or become obstacles to others, they will be cursed.
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