A King…Like All the Nations (1 Sam. 8)

Michiana Covenant Presbyterian Church

Samuel's sons do not follow in their father's steps.--We have seen this problem of the -next generation- before. Eli's sons had become like Canaanite priests - treating the women who served at the tent like prostitutes. Now Samuel's sons become like Canaanite judges - taking bribes and perverting justice.--The prophet Jeremiah would say generations later- -Stand at the crossroads and look, and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is- and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls.- -Jeremiah 6-16---What does he mean by -the ancient paths--- In the following chapter, Jeremiah warns against thinking of the temple as a magical talisman- -Do not trust in these deceptive words- 'this is the temple of the LORD, the temple of the LORD, the temple of the LORD' -in other words - the same magical thinking as in 1 Samuel 4 - when they thought that the ark would save them...---And yes, Jeremiah is referring to 1 Samuel 4, as he makes clear in Jer 7-11-12 - -Has this house, which is called by my name, become a den of robbers in your eyes-- Behold, I myself have seen it, declares the LORD. Go now to my place at Shiloh, where I made my name dwell at first, and see what I did to it because of the evil of my people Israel...---The ancient paths are the ways - the word - and the Law - of the LORD...