1 Samuel

1 Samuel 4:1a

This marks a significant change from 3:1 when the word was rare.

1 Samuel 4:1b-4

Ebenzer means 'stone of help'.  Aphek means 'strength'; this was a fortified city.  Verse one says that Israel went out to engage the Philistines.  The Philistines responded by putting themselves in battle array and against Israel.  Israel was defeated, but the elders didn't see this as Philistine defeating them but the Lord defeating them.  Their idea to bring the ark and use it to defeat the Philistines is wrong in many ways.  The Lord could be present in the battle without the presence of the ark.  This shows their ignorance and immaturity in their dealing with the Lord.  The Ark was to reside in the Holy of Holies at the tabernacle, it wasn't to be taken into battle.  Although we do see exceptions to this; at Jericho (Joshua 6:6-8), against the Midianites (Numbers 31:6), Saul will take the ark into battle (1 Samuel 14:18) and David will also (2 Samuel 11:11).  The elders should have sought the Lord and His will.  Instead they are trying to use the Lord to have their will done.  Hophni and Phinehas were more than happy to use the Ark in this way.

1 Samuel 4:5-9

Israel bears the ark like some sort of talisman; as if they could force the Lord to give them victory.  The ark was being used like an idol.  This becomes a severe blasphemy.  The God of Israel was known and identified by the work He had done to free Israel from Egypt.  But when this information and the ark is used to bring about the will of men, then it becomes an offense and brings shame to the name of God.  This doesn't end up striking fear in the Philistines, but it steals them and motivates them to battle fiercely. 

1 Samuel 4:10-11

This was a disaster of the worst kind.  Not only was the army defeated but the ark of God had been captures.  The priests were dead and every man fled.  There could be no doubt that God wasn't with the Israelites in this battle.

1 Samuel 4:12-18

Eli was nervous about the ark being in the battle; he knew this was a problem and having his sons accompany the ark didn't make him feel any better.   It was twenty miles from Aphek to Shiloh and this messenger not only fled the battle but had a hard trip to bring the news.  He arrives with torn clothes and dirt on his head; the signs of mourning and grief.  The news of defeat, death and capture of the ark is too much for Eli.  He talls from his chair and his neck is broken.  God's judgment is sure and often comes in unexpected ways. 

According to Jewish tradition, this 'man of Benjamin' that delivered the news was a young man named Saul. 

1 Samuel 4:19-22

The wife of Phineas was overcome with grief at the loss of her husband and of her Father in Law.  She went into labor and gave birth to a son whom she named Ichabod - the glory has departed from Israel.

The glory of the Lord had departed Israel some time back when the people no longer trusted in Him or sought after His ways.  This young child's name is a testimony of a nation that lost their way.  In some ways, recognizing that God's presence had departed is the first step in being reunited and once again returning to the ways of the Lord.

©2015 Doug Ford