20: The Lord Calls Samuel

Biblical Times Podcast

This episode focuses on Chapters 2 and 3 of the Book of Samuel, set around 1070 BCE in Shiloh, a small worship center near Jerusalem. The story details Samuel's early life under the guidance of Eli, the elderly priest.

Chapter 2 emphasizes the corrupt behavior of Eli's two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, described as "scoundrels." These brothers abuse their priestly positions by stealing meat from sacrifices and committing sexual crimes in the temple area. In stark contrast, young Samuel is portrayed as obedient and respectful, growing in favor of God and people. Samuel's behavior justifies his inheritance of Eli's position instead of Eli's sons.

The narrative reaches a climax when God reveals himself to Samuel three times in one night, declaring His intention to bring calamity upon Eli's family for the sons' blasphemy and Eli's failure to restrain them.

In this episode, we provide examples of a literary motif common in the ancient world. According to this motif, sons born miraculously through divine intervention to elderly and barren women were destined to fulfill religious and national missions. Although the Virgin Mary, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, was a young woman, Jesus too was destined to fulfill a religious mission even before his birth.

This episode also highlights the contrast between Eli's loving treatment of young Samuel and the old Samuel, who became an angry man. To a large extent, Samuel's harsh behavior led to the downfall of the young King Saul.