BibleProject | One Story That Leads to JesusSample

Israel may be done with Judges, but the pattern observed in Judges isn’t quite done with Israel. In today’s reading, the Israelites face off against their new nemesis, the Philistines. They experience a resounding defeat.

At their next battle, the Israelites haul the ark of the covenant to the front lines, thinking they can brandish it like a magic talisman to guarantee victory. No such luck. Yahweh refuses to let Israel manipulate him. He allows the Philistines to thrash Israel’s army and carry the ark into captivity.

This defeat triggers a repetition of the cycle found in Judges. The Philistines oppress the Israelites for 20 years. When the people cry out for help, their new judge, Samuel, leads them back to Yahweh. The Israelites repent of their idolatry, expressing their humility both physically and spiritually by fasting. As you’ll see in today’s video, fasting is a way of praying with your whole body.

Samuel encourages the people to trust Yahweh, who gives them victory over the Philistines. As time goes on, the Israelites grow dissatisfied with Samuel’s leadership and demand a king to fight their battles instead. God gives them what they want, but he warns they’re not going to like it.

Reflection Questions

• In Joshua 21, we learn about the Levites living in Beth-Shemesh, the city to which the Philistines returned the ark of the covenant. The Levites knew the necessary precautions one must take regarding the ark (Num. 3). How does that discovery shape your understanding of the ark’s mistreatment there?
• Compare 1 Samuel 8 to 1 Samuel 2. According to Hannah’s song, where should Israel look for victory? What does this reveal about their request for a human king?