Tragically, after Jehoida's death, Joash turned away from God and even had Jehoiada's son Zechariah executed when he prophesied against the king's unfaithfulness. This reminds us that while we can have tremendous influence, each person must ultimately make their own choices before God.

Our story regarding Eli begins not with Eli but with God's judge who will succeed him. God's successor to Eli will be the great prophet/judge Samuel so we begin with his birth and background.

David numbered Israel with sobering consequences. His heart troubled him after he had numbered the people, and he said to the Lord, "I have sinned greatly in what I have done." (2 Samuel 24.10)