Saul Weinreb - Let the Prophets Speak

Samuel's sons turn out to be corrupt, unfortunately a familiar theme by now. The people request that Samuel appoint a king, and though God is not happy with this idea, God instructs Samuel to listen to their request.

We read of the reign of Samuel, and how he successfully led the people away from their superstitions and back to God.

The ark returns to the people of Israel, but they still don't get the true message and more death ensues.

Suffering repeated plagues, the Philistines finally recognize that maybe keeping the ark might not be the best idea.  They approach their religious leaders to discuss returning the ark.

The Ark is in the hands of the Philistines, and it wreaks havoc wherever it resides.  The Philistines decide that they need to get rid of it and send it back to Israel.

Eli hears the news of the ark's capture and he topples over and breaks his neck, and his daughter-in-law goes into early labor and dies in childbirth.  Thus the reign of Eli ends in shame.

The people of Israel are taught that faith in an object will not help, not even the Ark of the Covenant.  Unfortunately, they don't learn the lesson yet.

We read of Samuel's first prophecy, his humility and how his prophecy began to spread truth among Israel.  The downfall of the house of Eli is now inevitable.

We read of the downfall of Eli's family due to corruption and abuse.  The abuse of power leads to the necessity of another source of power, the political power of the King. The religious leadership of Eli's family has utterly failed.

We read of the despicable abuse of the young priests of the pilgrims to Shiloh, and the growth of the young man Samuel as he learned the ways of God.