1 Samuel 4

V 1–2: DEFEAT The Philistines defeat Israel in battle, killing about 4,000 of them. V 3–6: DECEIVED The elders of Israel wrongly assume that if the ark is with them, they must prevail. They are looking at the externals and not at the need to trust and obey God. This is made evident by the fact that Eli’s wicked sons are personally in charge of the ark of God. Nevertheless, the ark is brought back to the camp, and Israel shouts so loudly that the Philistines hear the shout and learn of the ark’s return. V 7–9: DETERMINATION Although frightened, the Philistines decide that they will have to be strong and fight hard, otherwise they will be mastered by the Israelites. Their determination means that they do not give in. V 10–11: DISASTER This time, the defeat of Israel is disastrous. Thirty thousand soldiers are killed. Every Israelite flees from the battle, and Eli’s two sons are killed, fulfilling the earlier prophecy of the man of God to Eli. Most important of all, the ark of God is captured. V 12–18: DEATH Eli hears all the bad news. On learning of the capture of the ark, he falls off his chair, breaks his neck, and dies. The ninety-eight-year-old priest has officiated for forty years. V 19–22: ‘DEPARTED’ The pregnant wife of Phinehas, daughter-in-law of Eli, gives birth to a boy. In despairing recognition of the complete defeat, loss of loved ones, and capture of the ark, she calls him ‘Ichabod’, which means ‘The Glory has Departed’.