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Why should this bloodthirsty man be included with the heroes of faith? The
Philistines were mixed with `the giants': Goliath, slain by David later, was the Philistine
champion. These were the offspring of Rapha, one of the nephilim, the result of
unlawful, and unholy union between the `sons of God' and the daughters of men. Satan's
object in this was the defeat of the purpose of God. It was therefore right that they should
be destroyed.
Samson: physically strong, morally weak and childish. Was it necessary for him to
visit the dead body of the lion and so be defiled? What was the purpose of his riddle? or
of the removal of the Gates of Gaza? On two occasions at least he was not strong enough
to withstand a woman. But he had faith: he ought to have been a better man: but he
began to deliver Israel.
No.7.
Samuel.
pp. 168 - 173
In our last article on Samson we noted that the historical background was one of
lawlessness. When Samuel was called of God the situation had not appreciably changed,
for we read at the end of the book of Judges:
"In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his
own eyes" (Judges 21: 25).
Yet, as always, there was the faithful remnant, of whom was Elkanah, the father of
Samuel. However, in spite of the faithful remnant, the situation in Israel was very
serious:
"The word of the Lord was precious in those days; there was no open vision"
(I Sam. 3: 1).
Is there here just a hint that the faithful remnant were unable to worship openly?
Recorded for us in I Sam. 2: 22-25 are the evil doings of Eli's sons. This seems to
suggest that the worship of Baal went on openly, even at the tabernacle of the
congregation.
Not only was there no king in those days, but there was also no effective priesthood.
It is possible that Eli had a personal devotion to Jehovah, but he was not of sufficiently
strong character to provide an effective leadership. He was unable to control his own
sons, and it seems they despised him (2: 25). He was also, himself, reproved by a man of
God (2: 27-36), who foretold his punishment.
This situation resulted in there being `no open vision in those days', "and the word of
the Lord was precious". No doubt to the faithful, as always, the word of the Lord was
indeed precious and to be prized. Yet in the immediate context it would seem more
appropriate to translate "the word of the Lord was costly", and there were few prepared to