He Endured Despite Disappointments

 SAMUEL could feel the grief in Shiloh.  It almost seemed that the town was awash in tears.  From how many houses did the cries of women and children emanate, the sounds of grieving over the news about fathers, husbands and sons and brothers, who would not be coming home?  We know only  that Israel had lost some 30,000 soldiers in a terrible defeat a the hads of the Philistines not long after the loss of 4,000 in another battle. - 1 SAMUEL 4:1, 2, 10.

That was just a part of a sting of tragedies.  High Priest Eli's two wicked sons, Hophni and Phinehas, had marched out of Shiloh with the sacred ark fo the covenant.  Usually housed on the holy compartment of the tabernacle- a  tentlike temple-this precous chest was a symbol of God's presence. The people then took the arlk into battle, foolishly thinking that it would  act as a tailsman adn give them victory. But the Philistines capture the Ark, killing Hophni and Phinehas. - 1 SAMUEL 4:3-11.

This tabernacle in Shiloh had been honored with the present of the Ark for centuries. Now it was gong,. Upon hearing this news, 98-year-old Eli fell backward from his seat and died.  His daughter-in-law, widowed that very day, died in childbirth.  Before expiring, she said: "Glory has gone away from Israel into exiles. Indeed, Shiloh would never be the same. - 1 SAMUEL 4:12-22.

How would Samuel cope with these profound disappointments?  Would his faith stand up to the challengeof helping people who had lost Jehovah's protection and favor?  All of us today may at times, face hardships and disappointments that challenge our faithy, so let us see what more we can learn from Samuel.

Next time: He Endured Desptite Disappointments - He "Effected Righteousness"

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