1 Samuel 7:1-2 Where’s Samuel?

 ”So the men of Kiriath Jearim came and took up the ark of the Lord. They brought it to Abinadab’s house on the hill and consecrated Eleazar his son to guard the ark of the Lord. The ark remained at Kiriath Jearim a long time—twenty years in all. Then all the people of Israel turned back to the Lord.“

‭‭1 Samuel‬ ‭7‬:‭1‬-‭2‬ ‭NIV‬‬

a. The men of Kirjath Jearim: They treated the ark of the covenant with respect and honor, yet they did not take it to the tabernacle. Instead of resting at the house of God, it was brought into the house of Abinadab.

b. Consecrated Eleazar his son: We don’t know if Eleazar was of the proper priestly lineage, or if his consecration ceremony was legitimate according to Exodus 29. At least this reflected a desire to do the right thing.

c. A long time: Israel had the ark back but things were not really set right. Israel found they were no more right with God just because they had the ark of the covenant again. Instead, all the house of Israel lamented after the LORD.

i. They had good reason to lament. Their cities were in ruins, their armies were defeated, and they were under Philistine domination – all because they were not right with God.

ii. “It may very naturally be asked, ‘Where was Samuel all that time?’ I know not what he was doing during those twenty years; but I have a suspicion, I may say, I have a firm persuasion, that he was going from place to place, preaching in quiet spots wherever he could gather an audience; warning the people of their sin, and stirring them up to seek Jehovah, thus endeavouring to infuse some spirituality into their national life.” (Spurgeon)

Where’s Samuel?

Remember the, “Where’s Waldo”? There seems to be no mention of Samuel during this time but Spurgeon’s commentary of the question gives a firm persuasion. 

We need a Samuel in our country, to thus endeavouring to infuse some spirituality into our national life! We need to return to God before it’s too late.

Please pray for a revival.

Blessings