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as a prophet gradually took shape, and we read in chapter 4: 1, "And the word of the
Lord came to all Israel". He became the first of the prophets and the last of the judges.
No.7.
4: 1 - 22.
pp. 153 - 158
Although Hannah and Elkanah now disappear from the Scripture record, having
served their purpose as far as the plan of God was concerned, yet one would hope that
they had the satisfaction of living long enough to see their son rise to greatness in Israel,
and have the joy of seeing their devotion and sacrifice rewarded when they brought
Samuel to Shiloh to the service of the Lord. This was the leading of the Lord who
foreknew the man that would develop from the small child, and doubtless also give joy
and comfort to the mother and father who had waited so long for their son after years of a
barren womb.
We now come to Chapter 4:, the opening sentence of which in verse 1 present us
with a problem:
"And the word of Samuel came to all Israel. Now Israel went out against the
Philistines to battle, and pitched beside Ebenezer: and the Philistines pitched in Aphek.
And the Philistines put themselves in array against Israel: and when they joined battle,
Israel was smitten before the Philistines: and they slew of the army in the field about
four thousand men" (I Sam. 4: 1 and 2).
To which portion of the narrative does the statement "And the word of Samuel came
to all Israel" belong? Is it part of the Lord's dealings with Samuel which closed at
chapter 3: 20 and 21? Or does it close that brief narrative which tells of the Divine
voice which called Samuel, and the vision seen by the young chosen servant? On the
other hand, does it tell us that acting upon the word of Samuel and under his advice,
Israel commenced this disastrous conflict with the Philistines? Again, does the "word of
Samuel" refer back to the prophecy given him by the Lord against the house of Eli? If
this was the case, Eli may have made known to his two sons Hophni and Phinehas the
judgment of God revealed to Samuel in a further effort to restrain their abominable
behaviour. One thing is certain, although Eli still remained the judge, or head, of Israel,
his word was no longer heeded by the princes of the nation. It seems this was mainly due
to the scandalous infidelity of Hophni and Phinehas and the apathy of their father Eli, and
thus the people had forsaken the God of their fathers, and only a remnant remained
faithful. So it was that the Lord gave them up, withheld His power and allowed their
enemies to smite and defeat them and over-run the land. For twenty years, since the days
of Samson, the Philistines had made themselves supreme in Canaan. This effort on the
part of Israel to shake off the iron heel of their oppressors was doomed from the start, for
it was done without seeking the advice or guidance of Jehovah. Immediately misfortune
falls upon them, however, they lay the cause of it upon the Lord and forget their disregard
of Him in former time.