Day 51 Reading Schedule:  1 Samuel 5-9

1 Samuel 5: The Ark Captured by the Philistines 

[Summary]

Following the battle chapter that recorded the incident in which the Ark of God was captured by Israel in a battle with the Philistines, this chapter records the suffering that the Philistines experienced because of the Ark. The Philistines, who captured the Ark of God from Israel, placed it in the temple of Dagon in Ashdod. However, during the night, all the statues of Dagon were destroyed (verses 1-5). In addition, God punished the people of Ashdod with boils. The Philistines moved the Ark of God to Gath (verses 6-8). However, the boils became even worse there, so they moved it to Ekron, and even there, the boils became even worse and many people died (verses 9-12). This chapter clearly showed how great God’s power is compared to the idols that the pagan tribes worship.

The text vividly describes how the Philistines, who had taken the Ark of the Covenant from the Israelites, suffered greatly because of the Ark of the Covenant. Indeed, the Ark of the Covenant was the place of God’s presence on earth and was a most blessed and sacred object to the people of God. However, to the unbelieving Philistines, the Ark of the Covenant brought only wrath and disappointment.

1 Samuel 6: The Return of the Ark of the Covenant 

[Summary]

This chapter records the incident in which the Ark of the Covenant, which had been taken by the Philistines, returned to Israel by God’s grace. The Philistines, who had suffered great disaster because of the Ark of the Covenant, loaded the Ark of the Covenant and the offerings for the guilt offering on an ox-drawn cart and tried to return it to Israel (verses 1-9). When the cart carrying the Ark of the Covenant arrived at Beth Shemesh, the people there discovered it and were delighted, and the Levites slaughtered oxen and offered burnt offerings to God (verses 10-16). However, many people in Beth Shemesh died because they looked into the Ark of the Covenant of God, and they feared God’s wrath and asked the people of Kiriath Jearim to move the Ark of the Covenant (verses 17-21).

This text shows the process in which the Ark of the Covenant of God, which had been taken by the Philistines, was returned to the Israelites. The Philistines considered the Ark of the Covenant as a prize and displayed it in the temple of Dagon, but from that time on, the land of the Philistines continued to suffer from disasters. So the Philistines now decided to return the Ark of the Covenant to the land of Israel.

1 Samuel 7: Repentance of Israel 

[Summary]

Towards the end of the period of the Judges, the corruption and depravity of the Israelites became increasingly severe. Then, due to the incident of the Ark being taken away by the Philistines, they entered a period of the greatest spiritual darkness. However, God returned the Ark to Israel, allowing them a chance to repent and turn back. This chapter records the incident in which Israel, having recovered the Ark, launched a revival movement under the leadership of Samuel. The Ark returned from the Philistines and was placed in the house of Abinadab from Kiriath Jearim. Samuel then gathered the Israelites at Mizpah to repent of all their sins of idolatry and restore their faith (verses 1-6). When the Philistines heard this news, they tried to attack Israel, but with God’s help, the Philistines were defeated and Israel recovered the land they had previously lost (verses 7-11). Samuel set up a stone between Mizpah and Shen to commemorate God’s help and called it Ebenezer. After that, under Samuel’s rule, Israel regained peace (verses 12-17).

There are two things mentioned in the text. First, the Ark of the Covenant, which had been taken by the Philistines, returned and settled in the land of Israel. Second, the prophet Samuel became a full-fledged adult and began his ministry as a prophet in earnest. Therefore, through the ministry of the prophet Samuel mentioned in the text, we can examine the life of faith of the Israelites.

1 Samuel 8: Israel's Demand for a King 

[Summary]

This chapter records the events that led to Israel ending the era of judges and beginning a full-fledged monarchy. Samuel, who led Israel to an era of peace by ruling based on the Word, had his sons take on the duties of judges when he got old. However, when these men did not rule fairly, accepted bribes, and made unjust judgments, all the elders of Israel came to Samuel and demanded that he appoint a king to rule over Israel (verses 1-5). Samuel was not pleased with this and prayed to God, and God commanded him to inform the people of the evils of monarchy (verses 6-9). In response, Samuel warned the people of the dangers of a monarchy system that could oppress the people due to the concentration of power (verses 10-18). Nevertheless, when the people demanded a monarchy system, God permitted it and told Samuel to appoint a king. Only then did the people return to the cities of their gods (verses 19-22).

The text shows the situation in Israel at the end of Samuel’s reign. Samuel’s sons, who succeeded him as judges, were bad men, so the Israelites began to demand another ruler. This was the beginning of Israel’s monarchy system, as the people of Israel demanded a king like the other nations. However, the Israelites’ demand for a king, rejecting God’s direct rule, was the beginning of misfortune in Israel’s history.

1 Samuel 9: The Meeting of Samuel and Saul 

[Summary]

Following the previous chapter that recorded the incident in which God permitted the monarchy system at the request of Israel, this chapter records the historical meeting between Saul, who would become the first king of Israel, and Samuel. Saul was from the tribe of Benjamin and had outstanding appearance and physique. When he went out to look for a lost donkey at the order of his parents and could not find it, he listened to his servant’s words and wanted to ask the prophet (vv. 1-10). Meanwhile, God had already commanded Samuel to make Saul king, and Samuel invited Saul to a meal as he was entering the city (vv. 11-21). Samuel offered Saul a good meal and wanted to deliver God’s oracle the next morning (vv. 22-27).

The text shows in detail how God governs the lives of people and the history of mankind. In other words, God’s meticulous consideration and providence to make Saul the king of Israel through Samuel are delicately unfolding here. That is, through the process of Saul becoming the ruler of Israel, we discover God's providence and sovereignty.