Day 50 Reading Schedule: Ruth 4, 1 Samuel 1-4

Ruth 4: Ruth Marries Boaz 

[Summary]

This chapter finally records the scene where Ruth and Boaz marry by God's providence. Boaz, who sent Ruth away at dawn, went to the city gate in the morning and demanded that Naomi's relative perform the responsibility of redeeming the inheritance. He declared that if she refused, he would redeem the inheritance himself (verses 1-6). In response, another relative gave up the responsibility and took off his sandal and gave it to Boaz, so that Boaz would take responsibility for redeeming Naomi's inheritance (verses 7-12). Finally, Boaz married Ruth and gave birth to Obed, who became the grandfather of David (verses 13-17). This chapter finally records the genealogy of the children born between Ruth and Boaz, which is the genealogy of Christ and foreshadows the birth of the Messiah who would appear in the future (verses 18-22). In this way, this chapter shows God's providence that governs even the smallest details of human affairs to accomplish the history of redemption.

The text describes in detail how Ruth, a beautiful woman of faith, a woman of utmost filial piety, and a woman of integrity, received amazing blessings from God. Ruth eventually succeeded the family of the tribe of Judah, became the great-grandmother of David, the backbone of the royal family of Judah, and received the blessing of being included in the lineage of Christ. Through this chapter, we will examine the process of Ruth and Boaz becoming a couple.

1 Samuel 1: The Birth of Samuel

[Summary]

This is a record of the birth of the prophet Samuel, the last judge of Israel and a midwife in the establishment of the monarchy. Hannah, one of the two wives of Elkanah the Ephraimite, was heartbroken by her childlessness and vowed to God that if He gave her a child, she would offer him up as a Nazirite (vv. 1-11). Meanwhile, Eli, who heard Hannah's prayer in the temple, blessed Tannah, and Hannah, who returned home, gave birth to a son and named him Samuel (vv. 12-20). After that, Hannah, as she had vowed, took Samuel to the temple when he was still breastfeeding and dedicated him to God (vv. 21-28).

This text introduces the birth of Samuel, a great figure who had a great influence on the history of Israel during the transitional period from the era of the judges to the era of the monarchy. Here, we clearly discover that the birth of Samuel, who would carry out God's work, was done according to God's holy will. Although the birth of a single life is by no means meaningless before God, He is especially interested in the people who will carry out His ministry.

1 Samuel 2: Eli's Two Sons 

[Summary]

This chapter compares the corrupt sons of Eli, who was a priest at the time, with Samuel, showing the piety of Samuel, who would become a judge in the future. Hannah went up to the temple and praised God and entrusted Samuel to the priest Eli (vv. 1-11). Meanwhile, the sons of the priest Eli committed the sin of stealing God's offerings without permission, sleeping with a woman who served in the temple, and not listening to their father's admonitions. However, Samuel grew up according to God's word and did his best in his duties as a servant in the temple. In addition, Hannah, who offered him, gave birth to many children by God's grace (vv. 12-21). Then, God appeared to Eli and rebuked him for his sin and for failing to properly teach them. Then, God declared that both sons would die and that he would cut off the family line and give the priesthood to someone else (vv. 22-36). This chapter clearly shows how corrupt Israel was during the time of the judges.

The text contains Hannah's praise to God after giving birth to Samuel, and the prophecy of the downfall of Eli's family with Samuel's birth. In fact, Eli's family was a priestly family chosen by God. However, Eli failed to manage his family well with faith. As a result, his children were very wicked and committed great sins before God. The text teaches that anyone who commits a sin before God and does not repent will never receive God's grace of forgiveness, and will ultimately be abandoned.

1 Samuel 3: Samuel is Anointed 

[Summary]

As seen in the battlefield, Israel's leaders, including the priests, and the people all lived corrupt lives. Therefore, they needed someone who would stand upright in order to awaken them. This chapter records the incident in which God called Samuel as a judge in order to chastise the corrupt Israel and lead them to the right path. God appeared to Samuel in the temple at night. However, Samuel did not realize this until he was able to realize it through Eli (verses 1-9). God told Samuel that He would judge and destroy Eli's family, and the next morning, Samuel told Eli the words of God without hiding anything (verses 10-18). After that, Samuel grew up and was finally officially established as a judge and prophet of Israel (verses 19-21).

The text shows Samuel being called by God and becoming a prophet. Now, Eli's family was abandoned by God. So God decided to raise up a new minister, and He chose Samuel as that person. We must not forget that God's history of salvation continues through those who obey thoroughly like this.

1 Samuel 4: The Destruction of Eli's House 

[Summary]

This chapter records the actual fulfillment of God's judgment on Eli's house, which was already mentioned. When Israel was defeated in battle with the Philistines, Eli's two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, brought the Ark of the Covenant from Shiloh (vv. 1-4). However, Israel was defeated by the Philistines again, the Ark was captured, and Hophni and Phinehas were killed in battle (vv. 5-11). When Eli heard this news, he fell from his chair and died, and his daughter-in-law, who was giving birth at the same time, also died after giving birth (vv. 12-22). In this way, this chapter clearly shows the severity of the judgment that will come upon those who have fallen away from God.

The text vividly shows how the judgment and curse that God brought upon Eli's house were actually fulfilled in history. In other words, the text shows the process in which Israel suffered a great defeat due to the invasion of the Philistines, the Ark of the Covenant was captured, and the high priest's family was completely destroyed as a result. In this way, we can truly feel that God is the One who fulfills His word without any error.