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I Samuel 4:15-18 - A bad day for the house of Eli - Day 226

Still trying to catch up.

What do we learn about Eli?

He judged Israel for 40 years.  So he was part of the "Judges" era but also the "Kings" era.  So a time of transition.

He was a priest but also a judge.

He was 98 when he died so he was 58 when became a judge.  Not the typical judge as most were younger men and were military leaders.

He was "blind, old and heavy" but still sat at the gate of Shiloh.  Not exactly an confidence building personality.

His heart trembled for the Ark - so it is possible that he didn't approve of sending the Ark as a "good luck charm".  

It isn't the death of his sons that causes him to fall over, but the news of the capture of the Ark.

All this was a substantial fulfillment of what the Lord had revealed to Samuel. 3:13.  There is at least on male survivor (Ichabod) but the line is eventually terminated at beginning of Solomon's reign.  

I think that this fulfillment of Samuel's prophecy which validates him as a prophet is the key to why these details are provided.  Samuel starts a line of prophets whose purpose is to keep Israel on the straight and narrow as the priests have essentially failed.


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