Ichobod
1 Sam 4:1 And the word of Samuel came to all Israel. Now Israel went out against the Philistines to battle, and pitched beside Ebenezer: and the Philistines pitched in Aphek.
All Israel heard from Samuel, who heard from God. So far it has been a pronouncement of Judgment on the house of Eli. There was no repentance, God spoke a judgment upon them, it was too late.
As a nation, Israel was needing to repent and hear from God, as our nation the United States. Both nations have heard from the prophet of God, now both are preparing for battle.
The enemy of Israel was the Philistines who were stronger in weapons. This was a dangerous time for Israel because the Philistines had the latest Greek military equipment. Superior iron swords, helmets, armoured breastplates, and the finest spears. The battle with Israel or those who follow their Messiah, has always been a Spiritual battle first. Israel needed to be equipped for a spiritual war as in Ephesians 6.
Eph 6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
Eph 6:11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
Eph 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Eph 6:13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Among the armour of God is the sword of the Spirit, the word of God. The helmet of salvation, a mind and heart right with God. The breastplate of righteousness and the shield of faith.
My son once complained of his name; Lance. I reminded him that as a Spiritual warrior, he was as a mighty spear. What name has your dad given you? Be sure your heavenly Father has a Spiritual name for you.
Isa 62:2 And the Gentiles shall see thy righteousness, and all kings thy glory: and thou shalt be called by a new name, which the mouth of the LORD shall name.
Isa 62:3 Thou shalt also be a crown of glory in the hand of the LORD, and a royal diadem in the hand of thy God.
1 Sam 4:2 And the Philistines put themselves in array against Israel: and when they joined battle, Israel was smitten before the Philistines: and they slew of the army in the field about four thousand men.
The people that were called God's son, were loosing many soldiers in battle. They needed to call upon the LORD.
2 Chr 7:14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
No country should go into battle without first repenting and seeking God. We cannot rely on religious stuff and slogans. God is Spirit and requires that we come to him humbly in Spirit and in truth.
John 4:23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.
John 4:24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.
Religious ceremonies do not substitute a worshipping heart. Israel was about to do something religious, something they hoped to be a quick fix from God.
1 Sam 4:3 And when the people were come into the camp, the elders of Israel said, Wherefore hath the LORD smitten us to day before the Philistines? Let us fetch the ark of the covenant of the LORD out of Shiloh unto us, that, when it cometh among us, it may save us out of the hand of our enemies.
They wanted the presence of God with them and his presence was still with the Ark, which contained the tablets of the law. Was the box the power of God? Is God in a box, as is often said, he is greater then in a box. His glory fills all His creation. The law was in the box and the law shall always be holy to God. Yet, God had spoken that His presence would be with them above the cherubim upon the ark.
Exo 25:22 And there I will meet with thee, and I will commune with thee from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubims which are upon the ark of the testimony, of all things which I will give thee in commandment unto the children of Israel.
The ark was the presence of God for communion, a relationship between God and his worshipping people. Was it an object of war? Do we use God to shield us and refuse to repent and seek him personally? If so, our shield will be removed and the enemy will be allowed to come in.
Ezek 22:30 And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none.
God had Samuel as the one who communed with God. Samuel would be crucial in this time of need. In our nations time of need, we need those who commune with God to make up the hedge along with God's angels.
1 Sam 4:4 So the people sent to Shiloh, that they might bring from thence the ark of the covenant of the LORD of hosts, which dwelleth between the cherubims: and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were there with the ark of the covenant of God.
What were they doing? Is this of the Lord? The ark was kept in the holiest place of the temple. Only the high priest saw it, and that once a year on the day of Atonement. Now they were to take it out into the world, on a battlefield where the enemy was. Wouldn't it be better to pray and repent of sins?
1 Sam 4:5 And when the ark of the covenant of the LORD came into the camp, all Israel shouted with a great shout, so that the earth rang again.
They did not bow in reverence, they shouted with pride. Our country is no better. In the events following the 911 attack, everyone was saying "God Bless America." But, not everyone was repenting and seeking God. Some were, but most were content with a form of reverence instead of a heart trusting in God.
2 Tim 3:5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
1 Sam 4:6 And when the Philistines heard the noise of the shout, they said, What meaneth the noise of this great shout in the camp of the Hebrews? And they understood that the ark of the LORD was come into the camp.
1 Sam 4:7 And the Philistines were afraid, for they said, God is come into the camp. And they said, Woe unto us! for there hath not been such a thing heretofore.
1 Sam 4:8 Woe unto us! who shall deliver us out of the hand of these mighty Gods? these are the Gods that smote the Egyptians with all the plagues in the wilderness.
The Philistines knew the Ark was in the camp of Israel. They remembered the glory of God in defeating the nations. Their first reaction was woe unto us! This has never happened before. They recognizing that the God of Israel was greater then their gods, should have submitted.
1 Sam 4:9 Be strong, and quit yourselves like men, O ye Philistines, that ye be not servants unto the Hebrews, as they have been to you: quit yourselves like men, and fight.
Be strong, this should have been the cry of Israel. God had spoken this to their fathers. But they were not trusting God in faith.
Josh 1:9 Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.
The Philistines decided to fight even harder. This reminds me of the 7 sons of Sceva. The Spirits knew and trembled at the power of Jesus and Paul, but who are these?
Acts 19:15 And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye?
There was a time when Israel was closer to God, but this was not the time. I see the same thing in our post Christian nation. At one time our might was blessed by God, because the nation trusted God. Now, we hide behind symbols, but most are far from God.
1 Sam 4:10 And the Philistines fought, and Israel was smitten, and they fled every man into his tent: and there was a very great slaughter; for there fell of Israel thirty thousand footmen.
More then 7 times more were killed. They had a chance to get their hearts right, but they missed God.
1 Sam 4:11 And the ark of God was taken; and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were slain.
This was prophecy fulfilled. God allowed this as judgment on a disobedient priesthood. The sins of a few spoiled the nation. The ark had become an idol, God does not share his glory.
1 Sam 4:12 And there ran a man of Benjamin out of the army, and came to Shiloh the same day with his clothes rent, and with earth upon his head.
It was an uphill journey of about twenty miles. The messenger of bad news, had the appearance of a mourner.
1 Sam 4:13 And when he came, lo, Eli sat upon a seat by the wayside watching: for his heart trembled for the ark of God. And when the man came into the city, and told it, all the city cried out.
Eli was responsible for the things of God. He was fearful regarding the ark, without the ark and God's presence, there was no reason for the temple. Without God's presence in a church, why have church?
1 Sam 4:14 And when Eli heard the noise of the crying, he said, What meaneth the noise of this tumult? And the man came in hastily, and told Eli.
1 Sam 4:15 Now Eli was ninety and eight years old; and his eyes were dim, that he could not see.
1 Sam 4:16 And the man said unto Eli, I am he that came out of the army, and I fled to day out of the army. And he said, What is there done, my son?
1 Sam 4:17 And the messenger answered and said, Israel is fled before the Philistines, and there hath been also a great slaughter among the people, and thy two sons also, Hophni and Phinehas, are dead, and the ark of God is taken.
1 Sam 4:18 And it came to pass, when he made mention of the ark of God, that he fell from off the seat backward by the side of the gate, and his neck brake, and he died: for he was an old man, and heavy. And he had judged Israel forty years.
The news of the ark being taken was too much for Eli. So much bad news.
1 Sam 4:19 And his daughter in law, Phinehas' wife, was with child, near to be delivered: and when she heard the tidings that the ark of God was taken, and that her father in law and her husband were dead, she bowed herself and travailed; for her pains came upon her.
1 Sam 4:20 And about the time of her death the women that stood by her said unto her, Fear not; for thou hast borne a son. But she answered not, neither did she regard it.
1 Sam 4:21 And she named the child Ichabod, saying, The glory is departed from Israel: because the ark of God was taken, and because of her father in law and her husband.
1 Sam 4:22 And she said, The glory is departed from Israel: for the ark of God is taken.
So much grief, but we need not grieve. God has not left us. His Holy Ghost is with us. They can shut down church services, they can destroy our nation, but they cannot take Jesus from us. God dwells in the hearts of his children.
Heb 13:5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
Heb 13:6 So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.
superragman
1Samuel Chapters
1Samuel 5
1Samuel 1 Table of Contents
Eaglewings Ministries
Eaglewings Prayers