Ark of God taken-Eli dies I Samuel 4

I Samuel 4:22 "And she said, The glory is departed from Israel: for the ark of God is taken."

Israel has gone to fight against the Philistines. They are not doing well.

v4 "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."

We have read how Israel has forsaken God and his commandments. Bringing the ark to battle was simply a military maneuver and did not show honor to the LORD. The people were happy when it came into camp most likely because they expected victory now that the tradition had been observed.

The Philistines did not see just an ark but recognized that it meant God was there. They had more awe than Israel.

v7 "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."

Israel shouted but the Philistines multiplied there efforts and attacked Israel stealing the ark of God. It became not a blessing to them but a curse. During this battle the pronounced judgment on Eli's sons came to pass. They were killed. The news came to Eli who sat at the gate.

v18 "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."

Eli received the news of the death of his two sons and the theft of the ark of God at the same time from a messenger. He was shocked by the loss of the ark v13 but already knew that his sons would be lost. Eli was 98 years old v15.

To show the mood in Israel upon the loss of the ark of God a story is told of a woman who gave birth upon hearing the news. She named her child I-cha-bod meaning 'inglorious'.

Psalms 18:10 "And he rode upon a cherub and did fly, yea, he did fly upon the wings of the wind."

keywords: Bible Study, Old Testament, Samuel, Eli, ark, Israel, Philistines,Milton Southerland