1S21-10: Israel’s Fallen State During Saul’s Reign – Part Four

Do you recall where the original Wilderness Tabernacle was first placed after Israel entered the Promised Land under Joshua’s leadership?

It was Shiloh.

Shiloh served not only as a religious center but also as a place of judgment and governance.

People would travel from all over Israel to come to Shiloh to seek guidance and settle disputes.

And again Shiloh was where Samuel was mentored under Eli the priest and where he received his prophetic calling and began his ministry.

Yet despite its significance, Shiloh’s importance decreased over time.

The town was eventually destroyed leading to the loss of the Ark of the Covenant as recorded in 1 Samuel 4.

And the Wilderness Tabernacle that had been there for decades eventually became worn out and was abandoned.

Fast forward to 1st Samuel 21, what do we find?

We find the great-grandson of Eli, who had been operating as a priest at Shiloh, now operating as a High Priest at Nob.

Based on this, I think it’s safe to assume the priests of Shiloh had also migrated to Nob to continue with their priestly duties and operations.

So you know what?

I was gonna end this post without providing a usual takeaway because I couldn’t think of one.

I figured I’d just give you this one important detail about what was happening during Saul’s time…

And then it struck me…

This IS the takeaway homies!

The takeaway is the importance of understanding the important details that surround the context you’re reading.

Think about it: without context, a single verse is like a riddle without an answer.

But when you zoom out and see the bigger picture—understanding who wrote it, when, and why—the puzzle pieces together.

Suddenly, the verse isn’t just words; it’s part of a grand narrative…

And that’s also why, if you’re a new believer, you should read the Hebrew Bible first…

BEFORE diving into the New Testament.

Because if you don’t…

You’ll miss so much important context.

Ya feel me?