Forsaking Idolatry—Again

Samuel reenters the narrative for the first time since being mentioned at the Battle of Aphek. The ark is now safely housed in the forest city of Kirjath-jearim, near Jerusalem—a location further from the Philistine border and more easily defended—not that the Philistines want the ark returned after the ordeal they just endured. Eleazar, son of Abinadab, will tend the ark. For forty years, during the time of Samson and Eli, Israel had been oppressed by the Philistines. Commerce and worship had so mingled the Israelites with the Canaanites that the worship of Baal and Ashtoreth, the Canaanite gods of reproduction and nature, had replaced the God of Israel. But now, a new generation turned to Samuel for guidance.

“Samuel knew that if the people forsook their idolatry and refused to serve the Philistine gods, this would be interpreted as equivalent to rebellion against Philistine supremacy, and of course meant war. But Samuel had confidence in God’s promises and went forward to inspire a forlorn people with hope.” A large congregation representing all the tribes of Israel gathered at Mizpah and held a solemn fast. The leaders confessed their sins and appointed Samuel as judge. The congregants had assembled peacefully, but “the Philistines interpreted this gathering to be a council of war, and with a strong force set out to disperse the Israelites before their plans could be matured. . . . “While Samuel was in the act of presenting a lamb as a burnt offering, the Philistines drew near for battle. Then the Mighty One who had descended upon Sinai amid fire and smoke and thunder, who had parted the Red Sea and made a way through Jordan for the children of Israel, again manifested His power. A terrible storm burst upon the advancing host, and the earth was strewn with the dead bodies of mighty warriors.” “Anything which tends to abate our love for God, or to interfere with the service due him, becomes thereby an idol.”