Returning Back to God
Read 1 Samuel 4:1-22
“When the people came into the camp, the elders of Israel said, “Why has the Lord defeated us today before the Philistines? Let us take to ourselves from Shiloh the ark of the covenant of the Lord, that it may come among us and deliver us from the power of our enemies.” 1 Samuel 4:3
Introduction
Israel was in a state of spiritual decline under Eli’s leadership for 40 years. God had enough of their disobedience and decreed judgment. This raises a sobering question: “Why has the Lord defeated us today, despite the covenantal agreement that we are His people?”
Making Assumptions
In the first battle against the Philistines, Israel suffered defeat, losing 4,000 men. The elders rightly asked, “Why?” But instead of seeking God for answers, they devised a manipulative plan. They said, “Let us bring the ark of the covenant of the Lord from Shiloh, that it may come among us and save us from the hand of our enemies” (1 Samuel 4:3).
This assumption—that the presence of the Ark alone would guarantee victory—revealed their lack of genuine repentance and reliance on God.
Being Complacent
“As the ark of the covenant of the Lord came into the camp, all Israel shouted with a great shout, so that the earth resounded” (1 Samuel 4:5).
The Israelites rejoiced prematurely, believing that the mere presence of the Ark ensured God’s favour and victory. Even the Philistines trembled, acknowledging the power of Israel’s God. But unlike the Israelites, the Philistines resolved to fight with all their might (v. 9). Israel’s complacency, rooted in misplaced confidence, ultimately led to devastating consequences.
Scattered and Defeated
In the second battle, Israel faced an even greater defeat: 30,000 men were killed, the Ark of the Covenant was captured, and both Hophni and Phinehas died.
When news of this reached Eli, grief overwhelmed him. He fell from his seat, broke his neck, and died. The loss was a catastrophic reminder of the consequences of disobedience and spiritual neglect.
Ichabod: A New Beginning
Amid the tragic news, Phinehas’ wife gave birth and named her son Ichabod, proclaiming, “The glory has departed from Israel, for the Ark of God has been captured” (1 Samuel 4:22).
Indeed, the glory had departed—not from Israel as a whole but specifically from Eli’s household. Yet, even in this dark moment, Ichabod’s birth symbolised the fulfilment of God’s judgment and the dawn of a new chapter.
Reflection
This passage is a powerful reminder of the need to stay grounded in God’s Word and to uphold godly values despite our circumstances.
From 2 Thessalonians 2, we are warned about the coming of the man of lawlessness in the last days. While he is currently restrained by four forces, these will not hold indefinitely:
The Holy Spirit (2 Thess. 2:6)
The law of the land, established by governments
The Church, as it fights for justice and truth
The people of God, empowered by the Holy Spirit at Pentecost
We cannot rely solely on these external restraints to protect us. Complacency is a dangerous trap. When the Holy Spirit is no longer restraining evil, and earthly institutions collapse, Christians will need to stand firm in their faith. Are we spiritually prepared for such a time?
Call to Action
Make living by God’s Word a daily priority. Be strong and courageous, as God commanded Joshua:
“This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it” (Joshua 1:8).
Let us seek to manifest God’s glory in our lives through obedience, faith, and courage. May the spirit of leadership that rested on Joshua also rest on us as we stand firm and shine God’s light in the darkness. Be strong. Be courageous. Live the Word.
1 Samuel 4:1-22
4 And the word of Samuel came to all Israel.
Now Israel went out to battle against the Philistines. They encamped at Ebenezer, and the Philistines encamped at Aphek. 2 The Philistines drew up in line against Israel, and when the battle spread, Israel was defeated before the Philistines, who killed about four thousand men on the field of battle. 3 And when the people came to the camp, the elders of Israel said, “Why has the Lord defeated us today before the Philistines? Let us bring the ark of the covenant of the Lord here from Shiloh, that it may come among us and save us from the power of our enemies.” 4 So the people sent to Shiloh and brought from there the ark of the covenant of the Lord of hosts, who is enthroned on the cherubim. And the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were there with the ark of the covenant of God.
5 As soon as the ark of the covenant of the Lord came into the camp, all Israel gave a mighty shout, so that the earth resounded. 6 And when the Philistines heard the noise of the shouting, they said, “What does this great shouting in the camp of the Hebrews mean?” And when they learned that the ark of the Lord had come to the camp, 7 the Philistines were afraid, for they said, “A god has come into the camp.” And they said, “Woe to us! For nothing like this has happened before. 8 Woe to us! Who can deliver us from the power of these mighty gods? These are the gods who struck the Egyptians with every sort of plague in the wilderness. 9 Take courage, and be men, O Philistines, lest you become slaves to the Hebrews as they have been to you; be men and fight.”
10 So the Philistines fought, and Israel was defeated, and they fled, every man to his home. And there was a very great slaughter, for thirty thousand foot soldiers of Israel fell. 11 And the ark of God was captured, and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, died.
12 A man of Benjamin ran from the battle line and came to Shiloh the same day, with his clothes torn and with dirt on his head. 13 When he arrived, Eli was sitting on his seat by the road watching, for his heart trembled for the ark of God. And when the man came into the city and told the news, all the city cried out. 14 When Eli heard the sound of the outcry, he said, “What is this uproar?” Then the man hurried and came and told Eli. 15 Now Eli was ninety-eight years old and his eyes were set so that he could not see. 16 And the man said to Eli, “I am he who has come from the battle; I fled from the battle today.” And he said, “How did it go, my son?” 17 He who brought the news answered and said, “Israel has fled before the Philistines, and there has also been a great defeat among the people. Your two sons also, Hophni and Phinehas, are dead, and the ark of God has been captured.” 18 As soon as he mentioned the ark of God, Eli fell over backward from his seat by the side of the gate, and his neck was broken and he died, for the man was old and heavy. He had judged Israel forty years.
19 Now his daughter-in-law, the wife of Phinehas, was pregnant, about to give birth. And when she heard the news that the ark of God was captured, and that her father-in-law and her husband were dead, she bowed and gave birth, for her pains came upon her. 20 And about the time of her death the women attending her said to her, “Do not be afraid, for you have borne a son.” But she did not answer or pay attention. 21 And she named the child Ichabod, saying, “The glory has departed from Israel!” because the ark of God had been captured and because of her father-in-law and her husband. 22 And she said, “The glory has departed from Israel, for the ark of God has been captured.”