One of the great prophets from the Old Testament is Samuel. We find the beginning of his stories in the beginning of the book of 1 Samuel. Samuel is Eli’s successor. The moment Samuel appears, we see Eli disappear. Eli is a picture of Israel under the old covenant. The old covenant of the law would be replaced by a new covenant.
old and new covenant
It is soon foretold in 1 Samuel that the house of Eli will have to make way for something new (1 Sam. 2:27-36). Compare Heb.8:13. The cause of this is, among other things, the greed of his sons, Hophni and Phinehas. They took what was not theirs, even demanded it (1 Sam.2:12-16). They are a representation of the leaders of Israel under the law, who demanded of the people: commandment upon commandment, line upon line (Isa.28:10).
Israel aside
In the story of Eli we find many visual references to the setting aside of Israel. We read of Eli that his eyes began to darken (1 Sam. 3:2), that the priesthood would be taken from him (1 Sam. 2:35), and that God would do a work in Israel, so that everyone whoever heard it would tingle his ears (1 Sam. 3:11).
Eli meets his end, sitting on a chair by the road, because he fell backwards and broke his neck and died. For he had grown old and heavy (1 Sam.4:18). All things that we find described later in the Old Testament, but also especially from the mouth of Paul, with regard to Israel:
Hosea 4
6 My people are destroyed because they lack knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I have rejected you from serving as my priest. Because you have forgotten the law of your God, I will also forget your children.
Acts 28
27 For the heart of this people is waxed heavy, and their ears are dull of hearing, and they have shut their eyes, lest at any time they should see with their eyes…
Romans 11
8 As it is written, God has given them a spirit of deep sleep, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear, to this day.
9 And David said, Let their table become to them a snare, a snare, a stumbling block, and a reward.
10 Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, and their backs be crooked forever.
11 Then I say, Have they stumbled that they might fall? Absolutely not! But through their transgression, salvation has come to the nations to provoke them to jealousy.
Acts 13
41 Behold, you despisers, marvel and disappear, for I am doing a work in your days, a work that you will not believe if anyone tells you.
the fall
The fall of Israel brought salvation to the nations. This was done through the apostle Paul, who calls himself an apostle of the nations in the same chapter, Romans 11:13. Paul is the only one of whom we read in the New Testament that he is from the tribe of Benjamin (Rom.11:1, Phil.3:5).
In the history of Eli there is a Benjamite (1 Sam. 4:12) who not only tells Eli that his sons are dead, but also that the ark of the covenant is no longer in Israel, but taken by the Philistines. The latter is the reason for Eli’s fall and death (1 Sam. 4:18). The ark being taken from Israel and ending up among the Philistines is a beautiful type of how salvation was taken away from Israel and Christ ended up among the nations. Messaged by the Benjamite Paul.
Acts 28
28 Therefore let it be known to you that this salvation from God was sent to the nations, and they will hear.
Colossians 1
27 To them God will make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the nations: Christ among you, the hope of glory.