“The Lord Speaks to Samuel Meanwhile, the boy Samuel served the Lord by assisting Eli. Now in those days messages from the Lord were very rare, and visions were quite uncommon.
2 One night Eli, who was almost blind by now, had gone to bed. 3 The lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was sleeping in the Tabernacle[a] near the Ark of God. 4 Suddenly the Lord called out, “Samuel!”
“Yes?” Samuel replied. “What is it?” 5 He got up and ran to Eli. “Here I am. Did you call me?”
“I didn’t call you,” Eli replied. “Go back to bed.” So he did.
6 Then the Lord called out again, “Samuel!”
Again Samuel got up and went to Eli. “Here I am. Did you call me?”
“I didn’t call you, my son,” Eli said. “Go back to bed.”
7 Samuel did not yet know the Lord because he had never had a message from the Lord before. 8 So the Lord called a third time, and once more Samuel got up and went to Eli. “Here I am. Did you call me?”
Then Eli realized it was the Lord who was calling the boy. 9 So he said to Samuel, “Go and lie down again, and if someone calls again, say, ‘Speak, Lord, your servant is listening.’” So Samuel went back to bed.
10 And the Lord came and called as before, “Samuel! Samuel!”
And Samuel replied, “Speak, your servant is listening.”
11 Then the Lord said to Samuel, “I am about to do a shocking thing in Israel. 12 I am going to carry out all my threats against Eli and his family, from beginning to end. 13 I have warned him that judgment is coming upon his family forever, because his sons are blaspheming God[b] and he hasn’t disciplined them. 14 So I have vowed that the sins of Eli and his sons will never be forgiven by sacrifices or offerings.”
Samuel Speaks for the Lord 15 Samuel stayed in bed until morning, then got up and opened the doors of the Tabernacle[c] as usual. He was afraid to tell Eli what the Lord had said to him. 16 But Eli called out to him, “Samuel, my son.”
“Here I am,” Samuel replied.
17 “What did the Lord say to you? Tell me everything. And may God strike you and even kill you if you hide anything from me!” 18 So Samuel told Eli everything; he didn’t hold anything back. “It is the Lord’s will,” Eli replied. “Let him do what he thinks best.”
19 As Samuel grew up, the Lord was with him, and everything Samuel said proved to be reliable. 20 And all Israel, from Dan in the north to Beersheba in the south, knew that Samuel was confirmed as a prophet of the Lord. 21 The Lord continued to appear at Shiloh and gave messages to Samuel there at the Tabernacle.”
1 samuel 4
“And Samuel’s words went out to all the people of Israel.
The Philistines Capture the Ark At that time Israel was at war with the Philistines. The Israelite army was camped near Ebenezer, and the Philistines were at Aphek. 2 The Philistines attacked and defeated the army of Israel, killing 4,000 men. 3 After the battle was over, the troops retreated to their camp, and the elders of Israel asked, “Why did the Lord allow us to be defeated by the Philistines?” Then they said, “Let’s bring the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord from Shiloh. If we carry it into battle with us, it[a] will save us from our enemies.”
4 So they sent men to Shiloh to bring the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, who is enthroned between the cherubim. Hophni and Phinehas, the sons of Eli, were also there with the Ark of the Covenant of God. 5 When all the Israelites saw the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord coming into the camp, their shout of joy was so loud it made the ground shake!
6 “What’s going on?” the Philistines asked. “What’s all the shouting about in the Hebrew camp?” When they were told it was because the Ark of the Lord had arrived, 7 they panicked. “The gods have[b] come into their camp!” they cried. “This is a disaster! We have never had to face anything like this before! 8 Help! Who can save us from these mighty gods of Israel? They are the same gods who destroyed the Egyptians with plagues when Israel was in the wilderness. 9 Fight as never before, Philistines! If you don’t, we will become the Hebrews’ slaves just as they have been ours! Stand up like men and fight!”
10 So the Philistines fought desperately, and Israel was defeated again. The slaughter was great; 30,000 Israelite soldiers died that day. The survivors turned and fled to their tents. 11 The Ark of God was captured, and Hophni and Phinehas, the two sons of Eli, were killed.
The Death of Eli 12 A man from the tribe of Benjamin ran from the battlefield and arrived at Shiloh later that same day. He had torn his clothes and put dust on his head to show his grief. 13 Eli was waiting beside the road to hear the news of the battle, for his heart trembled for the safety of the Ark of God. When the messenger arrived and told what had happened, an outcry resounded throughout the town.
14 “What is all the noise about?” Eli asked.
The messenger rushed over to Eli, 15 who was ninety-eight years old and blind. 16 He said to Eli, “I have just come from the battlefield—I was there this very day.”
“What happened, my son?” Eli demanded.
17 “Israel has been defeated by the Philistines,” the messenger replied. “The people have been slaughtered, and your two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, were also killed. And the Ark of God has been captured.”
18 When the messenger mentioned what had happened to the Ark of God, Eli fell backward from his seat beside the gate. He broke his neck and died, for he was old and overweight. He had been Israel’s judge for forty years.
19 Eli’s daughter-in-law, the wife of Phinehas, was pregnant and near her time of delivery. When she heard that the Ark of God had been captured and that her father-in-law and husband were dead, she went into labor and gave birth. 20 She died in childbirth, but before she passed away the midwives tried to encourage her. “Don’t be afraid,” they said. “You have a baby boy!” But she did not answer or pay attention to them.
21 She named the child Ichabod (which means “Where is the glory?”), for she said, “Israel’s glory is gone.” She named him this because the Ark of God had been captured and because her father-in-law and husband were dead. 22 Then she said, “The glory has departed from Israel, for the Ark of God has been captured.””
ENCOURAGEMENT
Psalm 119:89-176
“Lamedh 89 Your eternal word, O Lord, stands firm in heaven. 90 Your faithfulness extends to every generation, as enduring as the earth you created. 91 Your regulations remain true to this day, for everything serves your plans. 92 If your instructions hadn’t sustained me with joy, I would have died in my misery. 93 I will never forget your commandments, for by them you give me life. 94 I am yours; rescue me! For I have worked hard at obeying your commandments. 95 Though the wicked hide along the way to kill me, I will quietly keep my mind on your laws. 96 Even perfection has its limits, but your commands have no limit.
Mem 97 Oh, how I love your instructions! I think about them all day long. 98 Your commands make me wiser than my enemies, for they are my constant guide. 99 Yes, I have more insight than my teachers, for I am always thinking of your laws. 100 I am even wiser than my elders, for I have kept your commandments. 101 I have refused to walk on any evil path, so that I may remain obedient to your word. 102 I haven’t turned away from your regulations, for you have taught me well. 103 How sweet your words taste to me; they are sweeter than honey. 104 Your commandments give me understanding; no wonder I hate every false way of life.
Nun 105 Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path. 106 I’ve promised it once, and I’ll promise it again: I will obey your righteous regulations. 107 I have suffered much, O Lord; restore my life again as you promised. 108 Lord, accept my offering of praise, and teach me your regulations. 109 My life constantly hangs in the balance, but I will not stop obeying your instructions. 110 The wicked have set their traps for me, but I will not turn from your commandments. 111 Your laws are my treasure; they are my heart’s delight. 112 I am determined to keep your decrees to the very end.
Samekh 113 I hate those with divided loyalties, but I love your instructions. 114 You are my refuge and my shield; your word is my source of hope. 115 Get out of my life, you evil-minded people, for I intend to obey the commands of my God. 116 Lord, sustain me as you promised, that I may live! Do not let my hope be crushed. 117 Sustain me, and I will be rescued; then I will meditate continually on your decrees. 118 But you have rejected all who stray from your decrees. They are only fooling themselves. 119 You skim off the wicked of the earth like scum; no wonder I love to obey your laws! 120 I tremble in fear of you; I stand in awe of your regulations.
Ayin 121 Don’t leave me to the mercy of my enemies, for I have done what is just and right. 122 Please guarantee a blessing for me. Don’t let the arrogant oppress me! 123 My eyes strain to see your rescue, to see the truth of your promise fulfilled. 124 I am your servant; deal with me in unfailing love, and teach me your decrees. 125 Give discernment to me, your servant; then I will understand your laws. 126 Lord, it is time for you to act, for these evil people have violated your instructions. 127 Truly, I love your commands more than gold, even the finest gold. 128 Each of your commandments is right. That is why I hate every false way.
Pe 129 Your laws are wonderful. No wonder I obey them! 130 The teaching of your word gives light, so even the simple can understand. 131 I pant with expectation, longing for your commands. 132 Come and show me your mercy, as you do for all who love your name. 133 Guide my steps by your word, so I will not be overcome by evil. 134 Ransom me from the oppression of evil people; then I can obey your commandments. 135 Look upon me with love; teach me your decrees. 136 Rivers of tears gush from my eyes because people disobey your instructions.
Tsadhe 137 O Lord, you are righteous, and your regulations are fair. 138 Your laws are perfect and completely trustworthy. 139 I am overwhelmed with indignation, for my enemies have disregarded your words. 140 Your promises have been thoroughly tested; that is why I love them so much. 141 I am insignificant and despised, but I don’t forget your commandments. 142 Your justice is eternal, and your instructions are perfectly true. 143 As pressure and stress bear down on me, I find joy in your commands. 144 Your laws are always right; help me to understand them so I may live.
Qoph 145 I pray with all my heart; answer me, Lord! I will obey your decrees. 146 I cry out to you; rescue me, that I may obey your laws. 147 I rise early, before the sun is up; I cry out for help and put my hope in your words. 148 I stay awake through the night, thinking about your promise. 149 In your faithful love, O Lord, hear my cry; let me be revived by following your regulations. 150 Lawless people are coming to attack me; they live far from your instructions. 151 But you are near, O Lord, and all your commands are true. 152 I have known from my earliest days that your laws will last forever.
Resh 153 Look upon my suffering and rescue me, for I have not forgotten your instructions. 154 Argue my case; take my side! Protect my life as you promised. 155 The wicked are far from rescue, for they do not bother with your decrees. 156 Lord, how great is your mercy; let me be revived by following your regulations. 157 Many persecute and trouble me, yet I have not swerved from your laws. 158 Seeing these traitors makes me sick at heart, because they care nothing for your word. 159 See how I love your commandments, Lord. Give back my life because of your unfailing love. 160 The very essence of your words is truth; all your just regulations will stand forever.
Shin 161 Powerful people harass me without cause, but my heart trembles only at your word. 162 I rejoice in your word like one who discovers a great treasure. 163 I hate and abhor all falsehood, but I love your instructions. 164 I will praise you seven times a day because all your regulations are just. 165 Those who love your instructions have great peace and do not stumble. 166 I long for your rescue, Lord, so I have obeyed your commands. 167 I have obeyed your laws, for I love them very much. 168 Yes, I obey your commandments and laws because you know everything I do.
Taw 169 O Lord, listen to my cry; give me the discerning mind you promised. 170 Listen to my prayer; rescue me as you promised. 171 Let praise flow from my lips, for you have taught me your decrees. 172 Let my tongue sing about your word, for all your commands are right. 173 Give me a helping hand, for I have chosen to follow your commandments. 174 O Lord, I have longed for your rescue, and your instructions are my delight. 175 Let me live so I can praise you, and may your regulations help me. 176 I have wandered away like a lost sheep; come and find me, for I have not forgotten your commands.”
