Our Men’s Group at Istoria Ministries has been studying the book of I Samuel this summer.
One of the great outcomes of this study is a deeper understanding and appreciation of the city of SHILOH.
Samuel the prophet (b. 1108 BC - d. 1020 BC), is a unique story in the Old Testament. His mother, Hannah, was barren. In a prayer to YHWH at Shiloh in 1108 BC, Hannah asked YHWH for a son, and she promised that if the LORD gave Hannah a son, she would give the boy to YHWH to serve in Moses’ Tabernacle, which had been erected in Shiloh in 1399 BC.
God answered Hannah’s prayer, and Hannah kept her promise. Samuel grew up in the Tabernacle of Moses at Shiloh.
The Ark of the Covenant, the symbol of YHWH’s revealed Presence, abided in the Tabernacle of Moses at Shiloh for 324 years (from 1399 BC to 1075 BC).
Remember, David did not capture the Jebusite capital city of Jebus - a city that he renamed Jerusalem - until 1004 BC. Therefore, Shiloh was the capital of Israel for 324 years, three-quarters of a century longer than America has been a nation.
Samuel grew up sleeping in the Holy of Holies at Shiloh.
Eli’s two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, priests themselves, were sexually abusing the women who came to Shiloh for worship and were stealing from the offerings the people gave to YHWH. Eli knew about it, but refused to correct his sons.
For this reason, YHWH told Eli that his entire house would be judged for his sons’ sins of idolatry and immorality. Sadly, as is often the case, the shepherds only reflect the sins of their sheep.
In 1075 BC, YHWH came and destroyed Shiloh through the Philistine army for the idolatry and immorality of the people of Israel.
Here’s how Shiloh fell. In 1075 BC, the soldiers of Israel camped at Ebeneezer, 20 miles west of Shiloh, to fight against the soldiers of the Philistines, who were camped at Aphek, less than a mile away (see map below).
As the Israelites went out to battle the Philistines, they found themselves overwhelmed. In the opening volley, 4000 Hebrew soldiers died.
