The Death of ‘Eli
First Samuel 4: 12-18
The death of ‘Eli DIG: What words from God are fulfilled “that same day?” What seems to be ‘Eli’s first concern here? What new insight does that give into his character? What do you tremble with anxiety over? Why do ‘Eli and the whole city react so strongly to the news of the Ark? Do you suppose they remembered the prophecy of what was to come?
REFLECT: What low points and high points have marked your spiritual pilgrimage? Where are you just now on the “bad-to-good-news” spectrum? When was the last time that you felt deserted by ADONAI? What was the cause? The solution? Is the LORD currently in your camp? In the Philistines’ camp? Somewhere on the road in between the two?
‘Eli never imagined how God’s judgment of his own sins could endanger the whole nation.
The prophet Isaiah exclaimed: How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news (Isaiah 52:7). Perhaps the most famous example is that of Philippides, who sped the 26.2 miles from Marathon to Athens with news of the Greek victory over the Persians in 490 BC. Arriving in Athens, Philippides cried out, Nenike’kamen! (which means we have won), and then immediately fell over dead. Athletes today remember his feat by running races of the same distance, known at the Marathon.
No doubt ‘Eli, Isra’el’s high priest, would have rejoiced for similar good news as he waited in Shiloh for a report from the battle with the Philistines (to see link click Bb – The Philistines Capture the Ark: Defeat). It is said that anxious watchers could guess the news simply by watching the posture of the approaching messenger, in which case ‘Eli and his fellow Israelites would likely have been uneasy. The same day that the battle was lost, one of the Israelite soldiers, a Benjamite, ran and came to Shiloh with his clothes torn and dust on his head [as a sign of mourning] (4:12). To run twenty miles over rough terrain was a remarkable athletic feat, though perhaps not as epic as the of Philippides. Yet, however great his strength and valor, his arrival would never be remembered with joy, since his very appearance bore testimony of bad news.
As ‘Eli waited, we see him as we first met him (1:9), sitting on his seat, near the entrance to the Tabernacle, watching, because his heart was trembling with anxiety over the Ark of God. Despite his blindness (3:2), ‘Eli is described as “watching,” straining every nerve. Why was he trembling with fear as he waited for news? There are two reasons for his response. The first reason was that ‘Eli had received a prophecy from an unnamed man of God (2:27). Because ‘Eli had allowed his sons to sin, he was told that all your descendants will die in the prime of life. This will be the sign to you which will come concerning your two sons, Hophni and Phinehas: both will die on the same day (2:33-34). This prophecy was later confirmed in God’s first prophecy through Samuel, when he said: I am about to judge the house of ‘Eli forever for the sins that he knew about, because his sons brought a curse on themselves and he did not rebuke them (3:13).
With those two prophecies ringing in his ears, we can understand why ‘Eli’s heart trembled with anxiety on the day his two sons had taken the Ark into battle. The high priest wondered, “Could this be the day when God’s judgment would fall?” The hearts of sinful men are always uneasy in times of danger because their consciences testify to their guilt before God. But, we can rest assured that nobody is getting away with anything (see the commentary on Revelation Fo – The Great White Throne Judgment). Because Ha’Shem pronounces judgment on all sin, only those whose sins have been cleansed by the blood of Messiah can face the storms of life with peace in their hearts.
The second reason why ‘Eli trembled with anxiety, is that he was surely aware that the Ark could go into battle only at the LORD’s command (Deuteronomy 12:5 and 11). In all of Isra’el’s great victories, God sent His people into battle, promising His mighty help: the people did not rush into battle on their own, commanding God to bring His power. Even godly men and women will lose their peace if they act in ways contrary to God’s Word. The only safe way for us to face the troubles of life is, first, to be justified with ADONAI through faith in Yeshua Messiah, and second, to act in obedience to God’s Word.120
It was a good twenty miles from Aphek to Shiloh. Considering that the route was predominantly up-hill into mountainous country, the runner needed to be in top shape to cover the ground in one day. His disheveled appearance indicated that he was mourning. Thus, he would have been seen as bringing bad news.121 When the runner entered the city and told the news, the whole city began crying out in defeat and in fear. On hearing the cries, ‘Eli asked, “What does this uproar mean?” So the runner hurried, came to ‘Eli and told him. ‘Eli was ninety-eight years old, and his gaze was fixed, because he was completely blind. Recognizing that ‘Eli was blind, the runner identified himself as having come from the battlefield. He said to ‘Eli, “I’m the soldier that came; I escaped today from the battlefield.” ‘Eli asked, “How did things go, my son” (4:13-16)? The runner answered, “Isra’el fled before the Philistines, and there was a terrible slaughter among the people.” Furthermore, your two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, also are dead.” Even that did not seem to faze ‘Eli, because he probably had already given them up as hopeless.122
And – as if saving the worst news for last – the Ark of God had been captured by the Philistines (4:17). But ‘Eli was not prepared for the last piece of news. He had accepted his own fall from office and even the death of his sons – they deserved it, after all, and Ha’Shem had foretold it (see Au – God’s Rejection of ‘Eli’s House). But he never imagined how God’s judgment of his own sins could endanger the whole nation. The shock of that news literally killed him. And as soon as the runner mentioned what had happened to the Ark of God, ‘Eli, possibly suffering a stroke or heart attack, fell backward off his seat next to the gate, broke his neck and died, for he was an old man, and heavy (4:18a). Thus, in the fulfillment of the Word of the LORD, the priestly line of ‘Eli was wiped out. It was, in fact, the end of a dark era going back through the entire period of the judges (see Judges At – The Twelve Cycles). This era had begun with the Israelites forgetting the LORD and pursuing other gods (Judges 2:11-12). It ended with the loss of ADONAI’s very Presence, His Sh’khinah glory, having departed from the people with the loss of the Ark. It was the lowest point in Isra’el’s history since the captivity in Egypt.
This was the final testament to a man who had ministered in Isra’el for forty years (4:18b). His legacy was one of utter failure and despair. How did this happen? One answer is that we really don’t know. The Bible records neither ‘Eli’s early years as high priest, nor any of his accomplishments. We do not know whether he started poorly or well, or how he went astray. Perhaps it resulted from his grief over his wife, who died before the events recorded in First Samuel took place. Perhaps ‘Eli was like many other men whose devotion to work causes them to neglect the raising of their children, which in ‘Eli’s case led to utter ruin.
Another answer is that ‘Eli’s disgrace and fall would have happened the way it always does: one wrong step, one wrong decision, one compromise at a time. Paul expressed this idea as a proverb: Do not be deceived; God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life (Galatians 6:7-8). First we sow; then we reap. It is said that we sow a thought and reap an action; sow an action and reap a habit; sow a habit and reap a lifestyle; sow a lifestyle and reap a character; sow a character and reap a destiny.
As Richard Phillips relates in his commentary on First Samuel, if this accurately explains the fall of ‘Eli and his house, then the key to avoiding his fate is to realize that our actions and habits, our character and destiny, ultimately flow from our thoughts and beliefs. The way to be a godly people is to renew our minds with God’s Word. This is the counsel given by Paul as the key to life as a believer: Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – His good, pleasing and perfect will (Romans 12:2). What kind of positive difference would it have made, we wonder, if ‘Eli had been more devoted to studying God’s Torah and teaching it to his sons? We do not know, except that the difference could only have been very great.123
Dear Heavenly Father, praise Your almighty power and Your steadfast love (Psalms 63:3). You so graciously pay the penalty for our sins, live within those who love You (John 14:23) and make an eternal home in heaven for Your children! Yet You are not only love (First John 4:8). You are also righteous, which means that You must judge those unbelievers who sin and do not repent. Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne. Lovingkindness and truth go before You (Psalms 89:14).
Thank you that the home that Yeshua is preparing (John 14:3) will be such a wonderful home, with no crying, nor dying. He shall wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more. Nor shall there be mourning or crying or pain any longer, for the former things have passed away (Revelation 21:4). Eternity will be so long that it is wise to live with our hearts focused on eternity and loving You. Trials will be over soon. For I consider the sufferings of this present time not worthy to be compared with the coming glory to be revealed to us (Romans 8:18). We love to keep the eyes of our heart focused on blessing You through our thoughts and actions. You are so worthy to be worshiped! In Messiah Yeshua’s holy Name and power of His resurrection.
Leave A Comment