This is part of a video series covering the entire Bible in 4 years, one chapter at a time. Start at the beginning with Genesis 1 (Youtube link: https://youtu.be/wC2qD4RGOdo)) and work through the playlist. Or go to https://www.peace.org.au/bible.html for more information.
In this video listen to 1 Samuel Chapter 4, read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer.
1 Samuel Chapter 4 the Isrealites are camped at Ebenezer for battle against the Philistines. Ebenezer means the Lord has helped us thus far. Strangely, they are about to go into battle at the end of God’s help.
The Israelites bring the ark, but view the ark of the covenant like a magic wand that can be waved. They didn’t realise that the right heart and attitudes towards God are crucial. Today, someone can pray a good prayer for salvation, but not be saved because the heart is not truly humbled, and grace doesn’t flow. Here for Israel, despite the ark coming into the camp, grace doesn’t flow.
So the Israelites lose the battle, and the ark is captured. This is the event prophecied in the last chapter that was going to make the ears of everyone tingle.
When Eli hears the terrible news, he falls off his chair, breaks his neck and dies. The scripture says he was “very heavy.” Essentially he was fat. His privileged position, and his profligate sons who helped themselves to everything may not have helped. Finally Eli’s daughter in law dies giving birth and names the boy Ichabod meaning “no glory.”
This is the low point that kind of ends the period of the Judges. Samuel is kind of like the last judge, and during the period of the judges, Israel had apostatized. This statement about the glory departing is a good statement to describe the low state Israel had come to. But under Samuel they were going to see the beginnings of Prophets and Kings.
Despite it being a low point, it is also a very important moment, because it shows the Israelites that they don’t control God. He isn’t something brought out to perform as required. The removal of the ark no doubt prompted many theological questions, and this was good long term. Also, Shiloh was destroyed by the Philistines as recorded in Psalm 78.
Sep 8, 2021 | Message by David Alley