Ark is captured and Eli dies

1 Samuel Chapter 4

Israel was at war with the Philistines and the Israelite army was camped near Ebenezer. The Philistines attacked and defeated the army of Israel. After the battle, what was left of the army of Israel retreated to their camp and the leaders asked each other why the Lord allowed them to be defeated. Then they said, “ Let’s bring the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord from Shiloh. If we carry it into battle with us, it will save us from our enemies.”

So they sent to Shiloh to bring back the Ark of the Covenant and Hophni and Phinehas, sons of Eli helped carry the Ark to where the battle was being fought. When the Israelites saw it, they shouted so loud that the ground shook. And the Philistines were told about the Ark and were panicked because they figured the gods had come into the Israelite camp. And they cried that this was a disaster and they had never had to face the mighty gods of Israel. They remembered the stories about the same gods who destroyed the Egyptians with plagues. And so the Philistines told their warriors to fight as they had never fought before or they would become Hebrew slaves.

The Israelite army was again defeated, survivors fled to their tents and the Ark of the Covenant was captured and Hophni and Phinehas were killed.

A man from the tribe of Benjamin ran from the battlefront to Shiloh later that day and tore his clothes and put dust on his head to show his grief. Eli was waiting beside the road to hear news of the battle, for his heart trembled for the safety of the Ark. The messenger told Eli ( who was 98 years old and blind) about the defeat, the death of his sons and the capture of the Ark. Eli fell backward from his seat beside the gate, broke his neck and died.

Eli’s daughter –in-law, the wife of Phinehas, was pregnant and near her delivery date. When she heard the Ark of God had been captured, her husband and father-in-law were both dead, she went into labor. She was dying too, but managed to name the baby boy Ichabod before she too died saying, “The glory has departed from Israel, for the Ark of God has been captured.”

BIBLE NOTES SHOW: The Philistines were descendants of Noah’s son Ham. They were originally “sea people” who migrated to the middle east in ships from Greece and Crete. By Samuel’s day, they were warlike and constantly pressured the Israelites. The Ark of the Covenant contained the Ten Commandments given by God to Moses. Hophni and Phinehas desecrated the holy room where it was kept by unlawfully entering and removing the Ark. The Israelites thought the box itself contained the power and used it as a good luck charm. Their attitude came close to idol worship. When the Ark was captured they thought their glory was gone.

HOW DOES THIS CHAPTER RELATE TO US TODAY? We should learn from the Israelites that God uses his power according to his own wisdom. He responds to the faith of those who seek him. Neither he nor religion can be used as a good luck charm or excuse to do wrong. We cannot assume, like the Israelites, that God will give us victory when we have turned away from him. Victories in our lives come from having a relationship with God. Prayer and communication can keep our relationship with him new and fresh. Try to pray each day. God does hear you. He hears everything, knows everything. Praise be to God!

Yours in Christ,
Mary

SUCESSFUL HEALING REPORT: Thanks to your prayers, Al’s cancer is gone! His tumor, however remains inoperable and he is home living as normal a life as can be expected. Continue to pray for him. Gene’s biopsy proved his tumor was benign and he has been removed from our prayer list. Barb has been moved to a rehab facility to work on her speech etc., keep praying for her.

Prayer Requests are needed for:
HEALTH: Gabe, Wanda, Janice Long’s parents, Arlene’s nephew David, Lori (who suffered a terrible accident)and her family and my neighbor Al who is nearing the end of his life. And Barb who went in for back surgery and had a heart attack and stroke. Also for Robert Sargent with lung cancer and Marthaline Sargent with serious health issues. Update on Stella: She is 10 weeks old and has her own room at the hospital. The doctors continue to experiment with respirators, but her parents can see progress in her lung activity. They need your prayers so badly. Let’s all raise our voices to God to hear our prayers.
SPIRITUAL UPLIFTING: Gail, Mary
RESTORATION OF FAITH: Al, John
LOVE AND SUPPORT: Claire, Hunter
SUPPORT: Haiti, Chile, those who need jobs, those who are about to lose or have lost their homes. Pray too, for our country’s leaders and our military people who die each day for our freedom.