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

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 a 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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