1 Samuel 4
The Philistines Capture the Ark
Samuel's word continues to spread in Israel and changes are beginning to take place.
So the Philistines were great in quantity and they continued to wage battle on Israel. They were organized and by the end of this campaign, they killed 4000 men.
The Elders of Israel saw this as God defeating them and decided to move the ark of the covenant from Shiloh to them and standing in it's presence are Eli's 2 son's Hophni and Phinehas, which represent a lack of value (worthless).
Bible.org states that the ark represents 'divine presence' and there appears to be numerous publications that have varied opinions surrounding the ark. Regardless of the significance surrounding the meaning of each of the pieces, which I'd like to discuss later, this ark contains items that brought plagues to Egypt (two tablets of the Decalogue, pot of manna, and Aaron's rod). Up till now, this is the most significant article mentioned. More later...
So now this ark (divine presence...) is now in Israel and the people give a mighty shout. The Philistines realize what has happened and as well as know the significance of the ark and the plagues resulting in it's power. Regardless of their fear, they rally and defeat Israel once again and kill 30,000 men along with Hophni and Phinehas and capture the ark of God.
The Death of Eli
A distressed man of Benjamin came to Shiloh to tell the news from the battle field. All cried out. By this time Eli was old, in poor health, and by this time could not see which means the Lamp of God had gone out. The moment he heard the news about the ark he fell, broke his neck and died. His 40 years of judging was now complete...
The moment the pregnant daughter-in-law of Phinehas heard the news, she immediately gave birth to Ichabod, which means that glory has departed. Likely because the direct line of God (via the now departed father and grandfather) where the source is along with divine presence of the ark.
How this speaks to me...
I see this as a circumstance that leads to complete lost of hope. At the beginning it starts with a young Samuel. Which I see as a lesson to early spiritual life.
In my life I see significant areas which could represent both the Philistines and Israel. The immense impact on one's own will can greatly influence so many parts of the good areas (Israel) in our life that it causes devastation (4000 men died).
For now I see the ark as this beacon representing hope. Initially, hope was placed in Israel (or something we hold close to us), which might actually be false hope along with denial (Hophni and Phinehas). Early in my spiritual life, I could not always tell the difference between my will and God's.
So now self-will returns with a vengeance (30000 men killed) and creates more significant wreckage and exposes the ineffectiveness of reliance upon lack of values (death of Eli's sons) which then takes us to the ultimate mindset that all hope (glory departed) is lost.
As horrible as it is to go through life making significant mistakes creating wreckage, there is eventually truth in difficulty that leads to spiritual growth, but only in God's will. This battle is when we do not align ourselves with God's will, but rely on very limited understanding (Early Samuel).
and life continues...
Samuel's word continues to spread in Israel and changes are beginning to take place.
So the Philistines were great in quantity and they continued to wage battle on Israel. They were organized and by the end of this campaign, they killed 4000 men.
The Elders of Israel saw this as God defeating them and decided to move the ark of the covenant from Shiloh to them and standing in it's presence are Eli's 2 son's Hophni and Phinehas, which represent a lack of value (worthless).
So now this ark (divine presence...) is now in Israel and the people give a mighty shout. The Philistines realize what has happened and as well as know the significance of the ark and the plagues resulting in it's power. Regardless of their fear, they rally and defeat Israel once again and kill 30,000 men along with Hophni and Phinehas and capture the ark of God.
The Death of Eli
A distressed man of Benjamin came to Shiloh to tell the news from the battle field. All cried out. By this time Eli was old, in poor health, and by this time could not see which means the Lamp of God had gone out. The moment he heard the news about the ark he fell, broke his neck and died. His 40 years of judging was now complete...
The moment the pregnant daughter-in-law of Phinehas heard the news, she immediately gave birth to Ichabod, which means that glory has departed. Likely because the direct line of God (via the now departed father and grandfather) where the source is along with divine presence of the ark.
How this speaks to me...
I see this as a circumstance that leads to complete lost of hope. At the beginning it starts with a young Samuel. Which I see as a lesson to early spiritual life.
In my life I see significant areas which could represent both the Philistines and Israel. The immense impact on one's own will can greatly influence so many parts of the good areas (Israel) in our life that it causes devastation (4000 men died).
For now I see the ark as this beacon representing hope. Initially, hope was placed in Israel (or something we hold close to us), which might actually be false hope along with denial (Hophni and Phinehas). Early in my spiritual life, I could not always tell the difference between my will and God's.
So now self-will returns with a vengeance (30000 men killed) and creates more significant wreckage and exposes the ineffectiveness of reliance upon lack of values (death of Eli's sons) which then takes us to the ultimate mindset that all hope (glory departed) is lost.
As horrible as it is to go through life making significant mistakes creating wreckage, there is eventually truth in difficulty that leads to spiritual growth, but only in God's will. This battle is when we do not align ourselves with God's will, but rely on very limited understanding (Early Samuel).
and life continues...
