ADULT STS LESSON 197 ISRAEL DEFEATED BY THE PHILISTINES
MEMORY VERSE:
“And the Philistines fought, and Israel was smitten and they fled every man into his tent: and there was a very great slaughter; for there fell of Israel thirty thousand footmen”
(1 Samuel 4:10).
TEXT: 1 Samuel 4:1–22
Here there was war between Israel and the Philistines to bring to fulfilment the prophecy of the destruction of Eli’s house (1 Samuel 2:31,34). Although Hophni and Phinehas committed the grievous offence of desecrating the sacred character of the Lord’s worship and sacrifice, Eli their father was not spared in the divine judgment that came on the family because he failed to correct them.
Parents and leaders in the house of God must recognise their responsibility to train their children in the way of the Lord, “And that their children, which have not known any thing, may hear, and learn to fear the LORD your God, as long as ye live…” (Deuteronomy 31:12,13). Eli failed in this duty and brought judgment on his house.
The men of Israel were also indifferent, though the sins of the priesthood were common knowledge (1 Samuel 2:17,27–36; 3:11–18). Consequently, they suffered a great defeat in the hands of the Philistines because they failed to reconcile with God first before going into the battle. We need to be careful so as not to be guilty of the same mistake. Sincere repentance and restitution are necessary to secure God’s awesome presence that guarantees victory in all battles of life.
DANGER OF RELIGION WITHOUT RIGHTEOUSNESS
(1 Samuel 4:1–10; Isaiah 1:11–20; Matthew 23:13–33; Luke 18:9–14; 2 Timothy 3:1–7; Romans 10:1–3)
God did not leave Eli in doubt of His judgment. He sent clear warnings to him through an unnamed man of God and Samuel, but he remained passive.
“And the Philistines put themselves in array against Israel: and when they joined battle, Israel was smitten before the Philistines: and they slew of the army in the field about four thousand men”
(1 Samuel 4:2).
The consequence of Israel’s backsliding and empty religion was severe:
- The first battle recorded the death of four thousand Israelites (1 Samuel 4:2).
- In the second battle, thirty thousand Israelites were killed (1 Samuel 4:10).
- The ark of the Lord was captured by the Philistines (1 Samuel 4:11).
- Hophni and Phinehas, priests and sons of Eli, were killed in battle.
- Eli also died (1 Samuel 4:17,18).
- Phinehas’ wife died too after premature labour.
When an individual indulges in sin and continues in the service of the Lord, there is danger of failure and defeat.
“And when the people were come into the camp, the elders of Israel said, Wherefore hath the LORD smitten us to day before the Philistines? Let us fetch the ark of the covenant of the LORD out of Shiloh unto us, that, when it cometh among us, it may save us out of the hand of our enemies”
(verse 3).
Routed by the Philistines, the Israelites returned to their camp shocked and amazed at the defeat. The elders, conscious that their defeat was from the Lord, sought to gain victory over the Philistines. A reasonable question, which ought to have led them to sincere self-examination, was quickly abandoned for an urgent resolution to bring the ark of the covenant of the Lord out of Shiloh to the camp for their deliverance.
The parting of the waters of Jordan and the collapse of the walls of Jericho before the ark of the covenant of the Lord were the results of obedience to direct instructions from the Lord (Joshua 3:1–17; 6:8–20). The ark of the Lord, which was a symbol of divine presence, was to be a place of communion between God and His people (Exodus 25:10–22), not a magic wand that gives victory over the enemy.
Israel experienced the pain of defeat and death, and learned that there is no shortcut to victory in the divine economy of grace. Many present-day religious people hang the symbol of the cross on their necks, embroider it on their garments or engrave it on their gates and sleep with a copy of the Holy Bible under their pillows hoping that these materials will attract the presence of God, deliver them from their enemies and destroy every evil work against them.
This superstition is further perpetuated by some false preachers who capitalise on it to make merchandise of their ignorant followers by selling various supposedly ‘anointed’ materials like aprons, handkerchiefs, water, oils, rings, chains, stickers, pictures, etc., for supernatural healings, protection, favour and breakthroughs.
But the question to all such superficial seekers who abandon the substance for the shadow is:
“How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation…” (Hebrews 2:3).
Salvation from sin and its consequences will remain a mirage to all who do not exercise saving faith in Christ’s atonement and gracious obedience to the demands of the gospel.
“And when the ark of the covenant of the LORD came into the camp, all Israel shouted with a great shout, so that the earth rang again”
(1 Samuel 4:5).
Israel’s response to the arrival of the ark of the covenant of the Lord in the camp was dramatic, which is reminiscent of the empty shouting and noise-making in many places of worship where the word of God is relegated to the background. Worship, prayer, fasting and all other religious activities become vain and even offensive when they go contrary to the righteous principles of the Scripture (Proverbs 21:27; Isaiah 1:10–15; Mark 7:7).
Moreover, revival is more than a deafening noise of worship, but sacred fire in the soul expressed as fruits of righteousness. The noise at Pentecost attracted a crowd; the apostles ministered to them and multitudes were converted. These converts continued steadfastly in the doctrines of the Lord and fellowship with the brethren. Here was true revival (Acts 2:1–47).
Although the ignorant and superstitious Philistines were initially affrighted at the prospects of the arrival of the “mighty Gods” in the camp of Israel, they soon mustered courage and mobilised to fight valiantly with a determination to maintain their mastery over the Hebrews.
Humans may be deceived and intimidated by worthless external gimmicks, but the Scripture declares that:
“…God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap” and
“…the hypocrite’s hope shall perish: Whose hope shall be cut off, and whose trust shall be a spider’s web…”
(Galatians 6:7; Job 8:13–15).
The confident, hypocritical hope of the Israelites was soon dashed into irretrievable pieces as they suffered a more deadly defeat. Thirty thousand foot soldiers were slaughtered by the Philistines (verse 10). This is the woeful picture of the fate of all hypocritical, religious sinners and compromisers who, instead of repenting from their evil deeds, cover them up with the filthy, self-righteous rags of religious activities.
DEATH OF ELI AND HIS SONS
(1 Samuel 4:11–18; Matthew 24:12; Numbers 23:19; Ephesians 4:24)
“And the ark of God was taken; and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were slain… and he died: for he was an old man, and heavy. And he had judged Israel forty years”
(1 Samuel 4:11,18).
Since the ark of the covenant was in the custody of Eli’s sons, they had to go with it to the battle. There, they met their disastrous destiny. This goes to prove that “Though hand join in hand, the wicked shall not be unpunished…”
For all their improper, wicked and immoral behaviours, which they deferred to repent of, God visited them with His righteous verdict. While Christ tarries, it is best to return to the Lord immediately and pray:
“O LORD, correct me, but with judgment; not in thine anger, lest thou bring me to nothing”
(Jeremiah 10:24).
Because of the finite nature of humans, we cannot tell when one will pass on to eternity. The sad news bearer, a man of Benjamin, who ran out of the army to deliver the tidings of Israel’s defeat, capture of the ark and the death of Eli’s sons, answered and said:
“Israel is fled before the Philistines, and there hath been also a great slaughter among the people, and thy two sons also, Hophni and Phinehas, are dead, and the ark of God is taken…”
(1 Samuel 4:17,18).
Though a priest of the Lord, Eli demonstrated serious callousness against God’s warning. This is not expected from a man who had dedicated forty years of his life to serve the Lord.
Mature believers who have been in the faith for long time must be careful not to develop coldness towards God, His word and His ways. We must be careful not to be people who will fulfil negative prophecies of the last days.
“And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold”
(Matthew 24:12).
Believers must remain resolute in their conviction and zeal for Christ. Perversions in Christian assemblies should not lessen our commitment to the Lord. Certainly, at the appropriate time, everyone will receive their reward.
We must not be weak professors of the Christian faith like Eli; rather, we should ensure that we obey the scriptural injunction:
“Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear”
(1 Timothy 5:20).
God is in search of those who would serve Him “in righteousness and true holiness”.
DEPARTURE OF THE GLORY OF GOD
(1 Samuel 4:11–22; Psalm 78:60,61; Hebrews 2:9,10; 2 Peter 1:3)
The glory of God denotes His honour, dignity, splendour, brightness, majesty and infinite perfections. The expression also refers to a visible, dazzling appearance indicative of His special presence especially in the Old Testament (Exodus 16:7–10; 24:9,10,16,17).
God reveals His presence by the manifestation of His glory. No wonder Moses earnestly pleaded with Him for His presence and glory while he led Israel through the dreadful wilderness. God’s presence and glory separated and distinguished Israel as His peculiar people of power and praise (Exodus 33:12–18).
When His presence and glory leave a place or a people, all that remains will be dryness and death. The burden of Israel’s misfortune swallowed up the joy of childbirth and the comfort of caring neighbours. With her last breath, Phinehas’ wife named her child “Ichabod” to perpetuate the memory of this sad event when the temple at Shiloh became empty and ordinary, void of the presence and glory of God.
“And she said, The glory is departed from Israel: for the ark of God is taken”
(1 Samuel 4:22).
God’s departure from the people is invariably the departure of everything that is good. Shiloh, which was a famous city of Ephraim (Judges 21:19–23), soon faded into insignificance with the permanent removal of the ark of God. It became an inglorious example of God’s fiery indignation against sin (Jeremiah 7:12,14; 26:6,9).
The city abandoned by the Lord of glory is left desolate (Matthew 23:37–39). There is no sufficient reason for glorying in the whole of the universe except in Christ (Jeremiah 9:23,24). Apostle Paul summarised all the calamitous consequences of the fall of humans as coming “…short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).
Everyone born into Adam’s fallen race may be appropriately called “Ichabods”. But Christ died to restore humanity to a life and destiny of the glory of God. The only path to restoration is the possession of genuine salvation experience and purity of heart (Titus 2:11–14; 3:5).
QUESTIONS FOR REVIEW
- What should be the duty of parents to their children?
- Outline the sins of the sons of Eli that made the glory of God to depart from Israel.
- What urgent step should sinners and backsliders in the church take to escape God’s judgment?
- Mention some shortcuts religious people take to escape the consequences of sin and why such options are insufficient to secure victory.
- Explain the inevitable end of all impenitent hypocrites who substitute religion for righteousness.
- What does God expect us to do anywhere we find sin?
- What should sinners and backsliders do to restore God’s glory?
