Hannah expresses great joy and demonstrates deep faith following the birth of her son. She recognizes God’s boundless wisdom and ability to change reality at will. Samuel begins his service at the Tabernacle. Eli’s two sons take for themselves from the sacred, forbidden meat and harass the people who have come to offer sacrifices. Their father hears of their sins and attempts to dissuade them from committing these wrongdoings. Samuel continues to gain favor in the eyes of Eli and those visiting Shiloh. He is well-regarded both by men and by God. Due to their recurring sins, a man of God is sent to express God’s discontent with the service of Eli and his sons. He rebukes the High Priest and relieves him of his service in the Tabernacle. He moreover tells Eli that his family will suffer from misery and death. Negative forces infiltrate the Tabernacle. Samuel’s mission is to reform the priestly service and retrieve the lost divine sparks dwelling in the darkness of the current reality. Only once he accomplishes this will light be restored to the Tabernacle and again become a source of meaning for the nation.
“For the Lord is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed” (1 Samuel 2:3)
“Wherefore the sin of the young men was very great before the Lord: for men abhorred the offering of the Lord” (1 Samuel 2:17)
“And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left in thine house shall come…and shall say, Put me, I pray thee, into one of the priests’ offices, that I may eat a piece of bread” (1 Samuel 2:36)
Purity is achieved by restricting negative impulses and eliminating evil thoughts and deeds.
