The Capture of the Ark

INTRODUCTION: In the last chapter, we saw great hope for the future. God started speaking again and He placed His hand on the youth Samuel. This chapter takes us back to the mess the Israelites were in because of their many years of disobedience. The theme of this lesson is the departure of God’s glory. The Israelites had a form of religion, but had long ago left the principles of true godliness.

1. THE DELUSION OF THE PEOPLE (1 Samuel 4:1-5)
1. Fighting in Their Own Strength (1 Samuel 4:1-2; 1 Samuel 2:9)
1. Gods word through Samuel (1 Samuel 4:1); God is revealing Himself to Samuel (1 Samuel 3:21) and Samuel is giving that word to Israel. However, Israel is not yet receiving it. They have to go through defeat and humiliation and lose the present leadership (Eli, Hophni, Phinehas) before they are ready to listen to Samuel.
2. Pitched beside Ebenezer (1 Samuel 4:1; cp. 1 Samuel 7:10-12); Ebenezer is here a place of defeat, but later it will be a place of victory (1 Samuel 7:1-12). Both times, the Israelites are fighting the Philistines. The difference is not in the place, but in their obedience to and trust in God. The second time they prepare their hearts to seek the Lord (1 Samuel 7:3) and cease not to cry for His deliverance (1 Samuel 7:8). They also listen to the voice of Samuel, Gods man, and Samuel makes a sacrifice and pleads their cause before God. As such, Ebenezer means the stone of help.
3. Smitten in the field (1 Samuel 4:2) They lost about 4,000 men.
2. Faith in Gods Chosen Symbols (1 Samuel 4:3-5)
1. Their material ark (1 Samuel 4:3; cp. 2 Kings 18:4)
1. Though a symbol of the presence of God, the ark was not God and did not ensure His help. Yet they thought that it may save us. They exalted the form of godliness above the power of God (2 Timothy 3:5).
2. They went to fetch the ark as if God were fetchable. They should have fallen on their faces and sought help from above.
2. Their fleshly priests (1 Samuel 4:4; 1 Samuel 2:12; Jeremiah 23:1, 11)
3. Their carnal excitement (1 Samuel 4:5; Romans 10:1-3); they had zeal; they had the shout. But they did not have the power or presence of God.
2. THE DEFEAT OF ISRAEL (1 Samuel 4:6-11)
1. The Fear of the Philistines (1 Samuel 4:6-8)
1. They were impressed with the zeal of the Israelite religion (1 Samuel 4:6).
2. They were familiar with the idolatry of confusing the ark with God (1 Samuel 4:7).
3. They know the past reputation of the God of Israel (1 Samuel 4:8).
2. The Courage of the Philistines (1 Samuel 4:9; cp. 1 Corinthians 16:13)
1. They showed manly courage.
2. They refused to just quit and surrender.
3. The Victory of the Philistines (1 Samuel 4:10-11)
1. Thirty thousand killed (1 Samuel 4:10)
2. Hophni and Phinehas slain (1 Samuel 4:11; 1 Samuel 2:34)
3. The ark of God taken (1 Samuel 4:11)
3. THE DEATH OF ELI (1 Samuel 4:12-18)
1. The Cry of the People (1 Samuel 4:12-13)
1. The repentant messenger (1 Samuel 4:12)
2. The waiting Eli (1 Samuel 4:13a; cp. 1 Samuel 3:18)
1. He sat on a seat by the wayside.
2. He sat watching.
3. His heart trembled.
3. The weeping city (1 Samuel 4:13b)
2. The Message of the Messenger (1 Samuel 4:14-17)
1. The messenger before Eli (1 Samuel 4:14-15)
1. The messengers arrival (1 Samuel 4:14)
2. Elis description (1 Samuel 4:15)
1. 98 years old
2. He could not see.
2. The message given (1 Samuel 4:16-17)
3. The Death of the Priest (1 Samuel 4:18; Ecclesiastes 6:3-6)
1. When he heard of the taking of the ark
2. He fell and broke his neck.
3. He had judged Israel for forty years.
4. THE DEPARTURE OF GLORY (1 Samuel 4:19-22)
1. The Death of the Mother (1 Samuel 4:19-20)
1. Received news of the multiple tragedies (1 Samuel 4:19)
2. Brought to labor by the news (1 Samuel 4:19)
3. Died in childbirth (1 Samuel 4:20)
2. The Birth of Ichabod (1 Samuel 4:21)
1. Named by his mother as she died
2. Means the glory is departed
3. A reference to the loss of the ark
3. The Departure of Glory (1 Samuel 4:22; Psalm 78:55-64; Hosea 9:12)
5. PRACTICAL OUTLINE: THE GLORY IS DEPARTED
1. Religion But No Truth (1 Samuel 4:1-4)
1. The right mission but the wrong approach (1 Samuel 4:1-2; 1 Samuel 7:8-12; Proverbs 21:31)
2. The right ark but the wrong reason (1 Samuel 4:3; Acts 17:24-25)
3. The right office but the wrong men (1 Samuel 4:4; 1 Samuel 2:12-17)
2. Zeal But No Power (1 Samuel 4:5-11)
1. Great shouting but no surrender to God (1 Samuel 4:5; Romans 10:1-3)
2. Made an impression but gave no victory (1 Samuel 4:5-11)
3. Gods Man But No Message (1 Samuel 4:12-18)
1. Message receiver not message giver (1 Samuel 4:12-13)
2. Fear but not prayer (1 Samuel 4:13)
3. Concerned but too late (1 Samuel 4:14-18)
4. Lived long but died defeated (1 Samuel 4:19-22)
4. New Birth But No Glory (1 Samuel 4:19-22)
1. No grandfather (1 Samuel 4:19)
2. No father (1 Samuel 4:19)
3. No mother (1 Samuel 4:20)
4. No ark (1 Samuel 4:21-22)
5. No glory (1 Samuel 4:21-22; cp. 1 Corinthians 3:11-15)

CONCLUSION: Consider these questions. Why did Israel lose God’s glory? How does this apply to us today? How can we get God’s glory back when we lose it?