Principle
Israel’s ark of the covenant was once captured in battle by the Philistines.
Explanation
Throughout the period of Israel’s judges, Israel’s core problem was their failure to faithfully depend upon Yahweh GOD, alone, and in so doing, keep the covenant they made with Him by sticking to the Law of Moses.
We previously established that GOD told Samuel that, since Eli’s sons were evil and Eli had not corrected them, that GOD was going to judge Eli’s house forever.
Like other remaining Canaanite nations, GOD used the Philistines to oppress and enslave Israel during Israel’s long years of unfaithfulness.
On one occasion, the Israelites decided they would boost their chances of victory by bringing the ark of the covenant into the camp where the battle was happening.
It seemed good to them, but it didn’t go like they planned.
1 Now in those days the Philistines gathered into battle against Israel, and Israel went out to meet them in battle and encamped beside Ebenezer. The Philistines encamped in Aphek. 2 And the Philistines prepared battle plans against Israel, and the battle turned against Israel, and the men of Israel fell before the Philistines. About four thousand men were struck down in the battle lines. 3 And when the people came into the camp, the elders of Israel said, “Why did the Lord cause us to be defeated today before the Philistines? Let us take the ark of our God out from Shiloh and let it proceed from the midst of us, and it will save us from the hand of our enemies.” 4 So the people sent to Shiloh, and from there they brought out the ark of the covenant of the Lord, who is seated between the cherubim. And the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were there with the ark.
1 Kingdoms [1 Samuel] 4:1-4 OSB
In Israel’s warped thinking, they believed that this beautiful box that their ancestors built, which had accompanied such great miracles of past generations, would mystically bring them favor and success against their enemies.
5 And when the ark of the Lord came into the camp, all Israel shouted with a loud voice, and the earth shook.
1 Kingdoms [1 Samuel] 4:5 OSB
So strong was the reputation of the ark of the covenant that every enemy instantly feared its presence as well.
6 Now when the Philistines heard the shout, the Philistines said, “What is this great shout in the camp of the Hebrews?” Then they understood that the ark of the Lord was in the camp. 7 And the Philistines were afraid, for they said, “These are the gods that have come into the camp! Woe to us! Deliver us today, Lord, for such a thing has never happened before. 8 Woe to us! Who will deliver us from the hand of these mighty gods? These are the gods who struck the Egyptians with all the plagues in the desert.
1 Kingdoms [1 Samuel] 4:6-8 OSB
So, on one side, we have Israel placing its trust in the ark rather than in GOD, and on the other side, we have Gentiles who do not know Yahweh GOD, giving credit for GOD’s victory in Egypt to the box.
Clearly, Satan was winning the battle to confuse and corrupt the minds of men.
The Philistines rallied their courage and defeated Israel:
9 Be strong and conduct yourselves like men, you Philistines, so that you do not become servants of the Hebrews, even as they previously served us. Conduct yourselves like men and fight them!” 10 So they fought them, and the men of Israel were defeated, and every man fled to his tent. There was a very great slaughter, and thirty thousand troops of Israel fell. 11 The ark of God was captured, and the two sons of Eli died, Hophni and Phinehas.
1 Kingdoms [1 Samuel] 4:9-11 OSB
A young man from Benjamin ran back to Shiloh, from where the ark had been taken, and Eli was waiting by the road, wondering about the ark:
17 So the young man answered and said, “The men of Israel fled before the Philistines, and there was a great slaughter among the people, and your two sons died. And the ark of God was captured.” 18 And it came to pass, as Eli remembered the ark of God, he fell backward from the seat by the side of the gate and broke his back and died, for the man was old and heavy. He judged Israel for twenty years.
1 Kingdoms [1 Samuel] 4:17-18 OSB
So, in one day, the prophecy was fulfilled which GOD had revealed to Samuel regarding Eli and his sons.
The power was, is, and always will be with GOD Himself, never in objects. We would be wise to remember that, such as before we were to bow before, pray holding, touching, or over, or kiss any object, thinking the object has some mystical power from GOD.
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