Why this story matters

(commentary on 1 Samuel 4-6)

(Page 1 of 4)

Introduction

Critics of the Bible have pointed to this story as an example of why these kinds of Hebrew myths are just too strange to take literally. However, the events unfold in a way that has deeper meaning for these cultures, and the people act in relatively rational ways considering the knowledge of the time. Perhaps what should seem strange is that people today still claim that this story is historically accurate as it is recorded in the Bible. People who make this claim believe the following: they believe an omniscient, omnipotent deity struck people with hemorrhoids or bubonic plague; they believe that this deity was appeased by golden replicas of groin tumors; they believe this deity killed 50,070 people because they looked inside a wooden box; and they believe these actions are all good. Let's look at these beliefs a little more closely to see if this story really deserves to be viewed as literal history, or if it should be viewed more as illuminating folklore.

Briefly some context

Before we get to the story, some background is needed. This story takes place in the book of Samuel. The 1st book of Samuel bridges the historical gap in Israel between the rule of judges and the rule of kings. The beginning of the book introduces us to the last great judge, Samuel. Samuel was born as an answer to the prayers of a very pious young woman named Hannah. Hannah had been teased for her barrenness for many years, so the birth of Samuel has special significance. In Jewish tradition, the first born is offered to God symbolically, but Hannah makes the offering literal. As soon as Samuel has been “weaned” Hannah gives him to the high priest, Eli, to work for him. Like his mother, Samuel is pious and humble, and, as he grows up, his piety stands in stark contrast to Eli’s own two sons who are priests, but very corrupt ones. They steal the people’s offerings and seduce the young women who assist in the tabernacle (1 Sam 2:12-22).

One day, a prophet comes to Eli to warn him that, because of his sons' wickedness, Yahweh is going to sever his family's ties to the priesthood. The prophet also tells Eli that he and both of his sons are going to die. His sons will die in battle and he will die as a reaction to news of their death.

Shortly after Eli gets this prophecy, Samuel becomes a prophet himself, and Yahweh begins to speak to him directly. He makes everything Samuel says come true so that, over time, everyone knows Samuel is a prophet of Yahweh. This is where the illustrated story begins. 

Why the ark doesn't help

Israel goes to war with the Philistines and they quickly lose 4,000 men. The elders think they can change things by bringing the Ark of the Covenant to the camp. When the ark arrives, it is accompanied by Eli's corrupt sons, and in the following battle Israel loses 30,000 men. Now, apologists will argue that the ark wasn't effective because it was being used as an amulet like pagans would do. The leaders of Israel may have made this mistake because they were relying on Eli's sons for advice. In fact, Eli's sons are among the dead. And when a messenger tells Eli of the tragedy, he falls backwards in his chair and breaks his neck. We are told that this happened because Eli was overweight, and that he was overweight because he ate the same offerings that his sons stole from the people. It's great irony. However, it seems rather petty to allow a total of 34,000 soldiers to be killed because Eli's sons were corrupt or because the leaders didn't use the ark in the proper way. Surely it would be more just to have the perpetrators punished individually. But such is the way of Yahweh. Or so we're told. 

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