1 Samuel 4:3-11
4:3 a The Israelites were often defeated in war because of the sin of one individual or the entire nation (Josh 7 b). In this defeat, no one inquired whether sin was the cause; apparently no one had even asked the Lord whether they should engage the Philistines in the first place (cp. 1 Chr 14:13-16 c). Instead, the Israelites treated the Ark, the most sacred symbol of the Lord’s presence, as a charm to ward off misfortune. Carrying the Ark into battle was not necessarily wrong (cp. Josh 6:2-21 d), but neither would this act ensure God’s blessing and victory.4:4 e Lord of Heaven’s Armies: See study note on 1:3.
• enthroned between the cherubim: A representation of God’s glorious presence hovered over the Ark in the Most Holy Place (God’s “throne room”).
• The involvement of Eli’s sons, Hophni and Phinehas, foreshadows the disaster that ensued (see 3:11-14 f).
Summary for 1Sam 4:6-7: 4:6-7 g Like the Israelites, the Philistines regarded the Ark as a powerful talisman (see 4:2-3 h) and believed that its presence in battle would mean sure disaster for them.
4:8 i the same gods who destroyed the Egyptians: The Philistines, who worshiped many gods, knew of the Lord’s power. Yet they knew nothing of his nature as the one true God.
• destroyed ... with plagues: The Lord later showed his power against the Philistines similarly (see 5:6–6:6 j).
4:10 k 30,000 was more than seven times as many as haddied previously without the Ark (4:2 l). The Israelites learned the hard way that the Ark was not a talisman to ward off misfortune.
4:11 m That the Ark ... was captured was devastating to the Israelites (4:12-22 n).
• The deaths of Hophni and Phinehas fulfilled the Lord’s word to Eli (2:34 o). Although they are the only casualties named, they were not the only Israelites who had sinned (see 7:3-6 p).
Copyright information for
TNotes