The First King

      When I look back now, the events that transpired over those many years are so impactful, so momentous, that I can scarce believe it happened in my lifetime.

      Imagine, if you can, how it was back then: Our people had been in this land for many generations. We had been under foreign oppresion many times, but YHWH had always brought up a champion to drive off the invaders and to judge our people. The last such judge was Samuel.

      Samuel was an interesting man. His mother, Hannah, was unable to have children, so she had went to the Temple to pray for a child. She became so engrossed in her prayer that she ceased to speak and instead was mouthing and making unintelligible sounds. The high priest, Eli, was passing by and thought the woman was drunk, so he went to her and struck her across the face for daring to present herself before YHWH thusly.

      After he struck her, he realized she was not drunk at all. Poor, foolish Eli. Always making rash decisions, or none at all. Anyway, after realizing his error, he apologized profusely and asked the woman what she was praying for. She told him and Eli was divinely inspired to prophecy to her and proclaim that she would have a child, a son.

      Overcome by gratitude, Hannah swore that her son would serve in the Temple for all his days. And so it was.

      After the boy, Samuel, was weaned, his mother brought him to the Temple and placed him in the hands of Eli for training. How hard a thing this must have been. Even given her gratitude, she was leaving her son with someone else. She would only see him once a year, at best. What dedication. Oh that more people were willing to forsake selfish desires for the betterment of others. But I digress.

      The boy took to the work of the Temple like he was born for it. Which, come to think of it, he was. But all was not well.

      Levi had two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, who were corrupt. It was Law that the priests would derive their livelihood from the offerings that the people brought to the Temple. But these two reprobates would steal the choice cuts from all the sacrificial animals. They also had a reputation for indulging in sexual dalliances with the women that served at the door of the Temple. Eli knew of this, but all he did was mildly reprove his sons, taking no corrective action. As you can guess, this did not sit well with the people.

        Into all this came Samuel. And the boy knew what was going on, but he grew strong in the Lord and was not tainted by the actions of his adopted brethren. This purity and loyal service did not go unnoticed, either by the people or by Eli and his sons. This caused resentment from the sons of Eli towards Samuel and they took every opportunity to vex the boy.

        Once, while Hophni was involved with one of the women in a side room, Phinehas told Samuel that Eli was in the room and that he wanted to see the boy. Samuel walked through the doorway and was greeted to the sight of an adulterous affair in progress. Horrified, the boy tried to leave, only to be blocked and not allowed to leave.

        Phinehas held the boy and made him face the couple until they were finished. Then he released the sobbing lad and allowed him to run from the room. Eli knew of this, but did nothing. And on and on it went.

        Then one night everything changed. It was the eve of the annual atonement sacrifice and it was to be Samuel's first time to assist Eli in his preparations to enter the Holy of Holies. Samuel was sleeping when he was awakened by a voice calling his name.

        "Samuel. Samuel."

        He sprang out of bed and raced to Eli's bedchamber. he stopped at the doorway and called to Eli. "Yes ,sir. What do you need?"

        Eli sat up and looked at the boy in his doorway. Samuel stood, as he always did, with his eyes boring attentively into Eli's own. Eli was confused. "What are you doing? You're supposed to be asleep. Big day tomorrow."

        Samuel's brows furrowed in confusion. "Did you not just call for me? I heard a voice calling my name."

        Now it was Eli's turn to frown. "No, son. I did not call for you. You must have dreamt it. Go back to bed." The boy nodded and went back to his bedchamber.

        Samuel had just drifted back to sleep when the voice called again. "Samuel, Samuel." He sprang up again and ran to Eli's chamber.

        Once again he asked what Eli needed. And again Eli told him that he had not called for the boy and told him to lie down again.

        Then it happened again. This time Eli realized what was happening.

        "Samuel, go lie down and when you hear the voice, say 'Speak now for your servant is listening.' This is YHWH wanting to speak with you. then come and we will discuss what has been told to you."

        So Samuel did as he was told and after answering the voice of YHWH he was given a message.

        Eli looked up and saw Samuel standing in his doorway. the boy's expression was one of sorrow and, what was this? The boy looked afraid.

        "Come, Son. Tell me what YHWH told you." Seeing the boy's hesitation, Eli spoke again. "Do not be afraid. This is not your message. It is from YHWH. No harm will come to you because of your words."

          Still the boy was silent, staring into the distance with eyes that seemed to see the future. Finally, he lowered his gaze and looked at Eli. And he spoke, the words bringing fear and sorrow into Eli's soul.

          "I have seen the wickedness of your sons. They have desecrated My Temple and My people. And you have not corrected them. You have allowed this wickedness to persist. I AM holy and I will not tolerate this. Because of this weakness, My priesthood will not strive with your line forever. And no males of your seed will live to old age. Thus says the Word of YHWH."

          As the boy finished, Eli sank back onto his bed. The crushing weight of this judgement seemed to be pressing on his soul. His sons' wickedness and his lenience with them had caused eternal shame for his family. Why was he so weak? Why did he not act decisively sooner? Tears began to course down his face. Samuel was at his side, gripping his hand, comforting him.

          After a while, Eli composed himself and sat up. He knew he had failed his sons. He should have disciplined and taught them, instead of pampering them. But it was too late now. But he could train this boy. He could instill in Samuel everything that he should have in his sons. He looked into those earnest eyes and spoke," The Will of YHWH be done. Come, Samuel. Let us begin to prepare for the sacrifice."

          He stood and led the boy from the room, towards the place of purification. Outside, the sun peeked over the horizon and a new era, an era of unforeseen drama and momentous occasions, had begun.