YOUTH STS LESSON 197 ISRAEL DEFEATED BY THE PHILISTINES
TEXT: 1 Samuel 4:1–22
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).
The constant battles between Israel and the Philistines is illustrative of what happens between a believer and the devil. As God gave Israel victory when they were in right relationship with Him, the same is possible for Christian youths today.
In the text, the time for divine punishment upon Eli, his sons and Israel had arrived. The children of Israel were humiliated in battle and everyone ran to his tent. In the process, the ark of God, which represented the divine presence, was taken by the Philistines and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were slained. As Eli heard this bad news, he fell backward, broke his neck and died.
During this time, Phinehas’ wife was due to deliver. As she heard the news while she travailed, she died. Before her death, she named the child Ichabod meaning: “The glory is departed from Israel”.
Sin, whether privately or publicly committed, has devasting, Ideadly and damnable consequences now and in the future. Youths who live in sin today should know that God will not allow any sinner to go unpunished. The only way of escape from divine punishment is total and complete repentance and faith in Christ.
The Scripture says:
“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Romans 10:9,13).
THE DEFEAT OF ISRAEL AND DEATH OF THE PRIESTS IN ISRAEL
(1 Samuel 4:1–5,10–18; 17:1–10; Isaiah 59:1,2; Joshua 7:1–5,10–12; Proverbs 1:24–33)
“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” (verse 2).
The Philistines had war with Israel in Aphek. But Israel was defeated and thirty-four thousand men were killed (verses 2,10). The elders of Israel were surprised. They asked:
“Wherefore hath the LORD smitten us to day before the Philistines?” (verse 3).
Question 1:
What was the main reason for the defeat of Israel?
“Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people” (Proverbs 14:34).
The main reason for the defeat of Israel was sin. Sin, whether in the individual, family or nation, will hinder the presence, protection and power of God. Furthermore, Israel must have gone to battle according to the leading of their hearts because there was no directive from God through Samuel.
Also, divine direction and process of divine judgment must have been at work. Perhaps, God might have wanted Hophni and Phinehas to be on the battlefield the same day so as to fulfil His word (1 Samuel 2:27–36; 3:11–14). Israel’s way was displeasing to the Lord. Hence, her enemies were at war with her. This was the time for divine discipline.
Question 2:
Why is discipline necessary?
Discipline can be divine or through human instrument. Most times, it is designed to be the means of correction and blessing. Discipline helps to show the carelessness or evil in our lives. It helps us to search our hearts, pray and return to God before the judgment day. Discipline helps to restrain us from sin and prevent further disobedience (Psalm 119:67).
It also helps us to improve our Christian character and relationship with others. It produces in us the virtue of patience, submission and humility. We should allow discipline to work for our good, perfect us and make us conform to the image of Christ.
“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).
The ark of covenant was a divine symbol of God’s presence. It was significant because it was a divinely appointed symbol of the presence, majesty, holiness, mercy and protection of the Lord on His people. The effectiveness of the ark depends on the fulfilment of the conditions attached to it (Deuteronomy 28:1–28).
But Israel abandoned the entire covenant because of the sins of the priests. Therefore, Israel as a nation forgot the knowledge of the law (verse 4).
Question 3:
How can youths enjoy the presence of God today?
“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” (verse 5).
Their aim of bringing the ark to the camp was to employ God or the ark as a talisman, charm or amulet for victory in the battle. Some youths put the Bible, cross or prayer book under their pillow to avoid bad dreams.
The only way to enjoy God’s presence, power and protection today is through righteous living after returning to the Lord in repentance (Micah 6:6–8). The ark was brought out of Shiloh into the camp. Hophni and Phinehas accompanied it there. As soon as the ark arrived the camp, the children of Israel shouted for joy. Yet, Israel experienced the most humiliating defeat.
The two sons of Eli were slain and the ark of covenant was carried away. Here, we see the futility of depending on religious materials (cross, oil, picture of church founder, rosary, holy water, etc.) without having a right relationship with the Creator. Israel had despised His word. Yet, they wanted Him to fight for them. Whenever the word of God is despised, defeat is certain (Proverbs 1:30,31). But when we love, obey and keep His word, great will be our victory.
Question 4:
Answer TRUE or FALSE:
a) Putting Bible under the pillow will give divine victory in spiritual battle.
b) Hanging the crucifix of Jesus Christ will prevent bad Dreams.
c) Wearing clothes with the picture of a church founder will give victory.
d) Wearing the image of Mary guarantees victory in battle.
e) Living a holy life and praying in faith will give us victory in all battles.
THE DECISION AND DETERMINATION OF THE PHILISTINES TO FIGHT ISRAEL
(1 Samuel 4:6–9; 1 John 5:18; Jeremiah 50:6,7; Joshua 7:3–5; Isaiah 59:1,2; Proverbs 29:1)
“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” (verse 7).
As the ark of covenant came to the camp of Israel, the people shouted for joy. In the camp of the Philistines, they were afraid and would have run away. They cursed themselves and said that the mighty God who smote the Egyptians with plagues before the Israelites had come to fight for them.
This should have been the testimony if the Israelites had obeyed the Lord and lived right. However, the Philistines mustered courage and were determined to fight Israel again. They said:
“Be strong, and quit yourselves like men, O ye Philistines, that ye be not servants unto the Hebrews, as they have been to you: quit yourselves like men, and fight” (verse 9).
The courage came from nowhere in the midst of the Philistines to fight Israelites (verse 9). There is need for self-examination before engaging in warfare. Like the case of Ai who defeated Israel not minding their number. Sin or compromise exposes an individual, family or church to defeat. Ordinarily, the presence of God which the Ark represented would have granted them victory.
Question 5:
What is the importance of purity and self examination?
THE DEPARTURE OF DIVINE PRESENCE FROM ISRAEL
(1 Samuel 4:19–22; Exodus 33:12–15; Matthew 28:18–20; Acts 18:9–11)
Purity itself gives courage:
“The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion” (Proverbs 28:1).
Self examination is required in the life of a Christian youth before carrying out spiritual warfare.
“We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not” (1 John 5:18).
As the report of the battle was given to Eli by one of the army who escaped, he could not withstand it. He could not endure the evil report of the scattered, smitten and slain nation. He collapsed, broke his neck and died instantly.
Also, as Phinehas’ wife heard of these evil reports, she was gripped by sudden labour pains. She gave birth to a baby boy and named him “Ichabod”. The household of Eli knew the blessings the nation would miss as a result of the ark being captured. The departure of the ark meant loss of divine glory, presence, mercy, peace and power of God.
Question 6:
What is the consequence of allowing divine presence to depart from your life and fellowship?
In the same way, the glory of God can depart from a person, family or fellowship. This happens when people are unwilling to fulfil the conditions for the continual presence of God. When we spurn and despise God’s warnings, the glory of God will be removed from us and darkness, desolation and death may prevail.
No wonder, Moses the man of God prayed thus:
“Now therefore, I pray thee, if I have found grace in thy sight, shew me now thy way, that I may know thee, that I may find grace in thy sight: and consider that this nation is thy people. And he said, My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest. And he said unto him, If thy presence go not with me, carry us not up hence” (Exodus 33:13–15).
Let us pray always and be ready to obey His word in order to enjoy His presence in our lives and fellowship.
