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The theme of 1 Samuel 4-6 revolves around drawing near to God. Specifically looking at how Israel interacted with God during a time of conflict with the Philistines.
Israel's Defeat by the Philistines and the Misuse of the Ark
In the first battle, Israel is defeated by the Philistines, losing 4,000 men. Afterward, the elders of Israel question why God allowed their defeat. Without consulting God, they decide to bring the Ark of the Covenant into battle, assuming it would guarantee victory based on past instances, such as the battle of Jericho. However, they fail to recognize that God had not instructed them to bring the Ark this time. The Ark, meant to represent God's presence, is treated more like a magical object to manipulate divine power. The Ark is transported from Shiloh to the battlefield, a distance of 34 miles. When it arrives, the Israelites are overjoyed, causing the ground to shake from their loud shouts.
Philistines' Reaction and Israel's Devastating Loss
The Philistines, camped nearby, hear the commotion and become terrified, thinking that Israel’s gods had entered the camp. They recall the stories of the plagues in Egypt and fear that they will be destroyed. Despite their fear, the Philistines rally and fight desperately. Israel suffers a devastating defeat; 30,000 soldiers are killed, the Ark of the Covenant is captured, and Hophni and Phinehas, the sons of Eli, are killed. This marks a significant disaster for Israel, not only because of the heavy loss in battle but because their most sacred object, the Ark, is now in enemy hands.
Eli's Death and Israel's Despair
A messenger from the tribe of Benjamin runs 34 miles to bring the news to Shiloh. Eli, now 98 years old and blind, waits anxiously for news. The messenger informs him of Israel's defeat, the death of his two sons, and the capture of the Ark. Upon hearing about the Ark's capture, Eli falls backward from his seat, breaks his neck, and dies. Eli had served as Israel’s judge for 40 years, but his connection to the corrupt actions of his sons plays a significant role in his downfall. His death further symbolizes the collapse of Israel’s leadership and spiritual direction.
The Ark's Significance and Israel's Crisis of Faith
The capture of the Ark causes confusion and panic among the Israelites. They wonder if the Philistines now have control over God's power or if God has abandoned them. The Ark, central to Israel's worship, was housed in the tabernacle and represented God's presence among them. Only the high priest could enter the section of the tabernacle where the Ark was kept—the “Holy of Holies”—once a year, demonstrating the holiness of God and the separation between God and humanity.
The Construction and Contents of the Ark of the Covenant
As described in Exodus 25, the Ark was a wooden chest overlaid with gold, with rings and poles for carrying. It symbolized God's moral perfection, and touching it was forbidden, as seen in the story of Uzzah, who died when he tried to stabilize the Ark. Inside the Ark were three significant items: a jar of manna, Aaron's staff that had budded, and the two stone tablets of the law. Each item had deep spiritual meaning, reminding Israel of their history and God’s provision. The manna symbolized God's miraculous sustenance during their 40 years in the wilderness, but also Israel's ingratitude when they complained about their food. Aaron's staff represented God's chosen leadership, while the stone tablets held the covenant law, further underscoring Israel's relationship with God.
These items highlight Israel’s disobedience and lack of faith. The loss of the Ark likely raised profound spiritual and theological questions among the Israelites, particularly about God's presence and protection.
The Golden Calf and God's Response
The two stone tablets of the law come from Moses on Mount Sinai. After Moses descended from Mount Sinai and discovered the Israelites worshipping an idol they made from their gold jewelry, he broke the stone tablets containing God's law in anger. God then instructed Moses to return to the mountain to receive a second set of tablets, which were to be placed inside the Ark of the Covenant as a reminder of Israel's disobedience. This event, along with the golden calf incident, highlighted Israel's rebellion, ingratitude, and resistance to God's leadership. These actions symbolized a deeper spiritual issue between humanity and God, and give us insight into people’s rebellion against God's authority today.
The Mercy Seat and God's Judgment
On top of the Ark of the Covenant was the mercy seat, adorned with two golden cherubs. These cherubs were a symbol of God barring humanity from His presence due to sin, starting with Adam and Eve's rebellion in the Garden of Eden. Our moral imperfection and rebellion are barriers to a relationship with God, which is depicted in the Ark and its contents. The cherubs were positioned as if looking into the Ark, representing God's awareness of human rebellion, which is a form of "cosmic treason" deserving of death.
But despite humanity's sinfulness, God made a way for reconciliation. On the annual Day of Atonement, the high priest would enter the most holy place and offer a blood sacrifice, which symbolized the transfer of the people's sins to an innocent animal. This act allowed the Israelites to receive forgiveness, as the blood covered the contents of the Ark, and God's judgment was replaced with mercy. Later we see this idea expressed through Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross—the ultimate sacrifice—allowing anyone who turns to him in faith to have access to God's presence directly.
The Ark in the Temple of Dagon
The narrative then shifts back to 1st Samuel 5, where the Philistines, after capturing the Ark, bring it to Ashdod and place it in the temple of their god, Dagon. The Philistines viewed the Ark as a trophy of their victory and possibly a way to capture Israel's God's power. However, when the Philistines return the next day, they find the statue of Dagon toppled and prostrate before the Ark. They set the statue back up, but the following day, Dagon is found again on the ground, this time with its head and hands severed. Through this, God demonstrated His power over Dagon, revealing the futility of the Philistine idol.
Soon after, a plague strikes the people of Ashdod, and they suffer from painful tumors, possibly indicating the spread of a deadly disease like the bubonic plague, as rats are mentioned as carriers. The affliction terrorizes the region, and the Philistines realize that keeping the Ark is dangerous.
The Philistines' Plan to Return the Ark
In their desperation, the Philistines hold a council with their leaders and decide to send the Ark away to Gath, another Philistine city. However, the plague follows, affecting Gath as well. The Ark is then moved to Ekron, but the people of Ekron protest vehemently, fearing the same fate. The fear and suffering are so intense that the people beg to return the Ark to Israel.
The Ark remains in Philistine territory for seven months, likely placed outside the city to avoid further harm. Seeking a solution, the Philistines consult their priests and diviners, who suggest sending the Ark back to Israel along with a guilt offering. The guilt offering consists of five golden tumors and five golden rats, symbolizing the plagues that struck the Philistine cities. The Philistines hope that by showing honor to Israel's God, the plague will cease.
The Ark’s Return Plan
The priests advise the Philistines to prepare a new cart and two cows that have recently given birth. These cows, unfamiliar with pulling carts, are hitched to carry the Ark back to Israel. The plan is that if the cows head straight to Israel’s territory, it will confirm that the disaster was caused by Israel's God. If not, it will suggest that the plague was a coincidence. This setup shows that the Philistines, although pagans, are cautious and pragmatic, wanting to ensure the cause of their suffering before fully attributing it to divine intervention.
Like the ancient Philistines, modern people often approach faith pragmatically, asking if it works rather than if it is true. He argues that following God should not be based on convenience or excitement, but on the recognition of God’s reality and the truth of His word. Faith is not just about personal benefit but a commitment to what is true, even in difficult or unexciting times.
The Return of the Ark to Israel
Following the instructions, the Philistines hitch the Ark to two cows that had recently given birth, send it on its way, and follow it from a distance. Without deviating, the cows traveled directly toward Beth Shemesh, an Israelite city. The people of Beth Shemesh, who were in the midst of harvesting, rejoiced at the sight of the Ark. They broke apart the cart and used the wood to make a fire, sacrificing the cows as a burnt offering to the Lord. The Levites, responsible for religious duties, placed the Ark and the golden offerings on a large rock, offering further sacrifices to God. The Philistine rulers witnessed the entire event and returned to Ekron, satisfied that their plan had worked.
However, despite the joyous return, 70 men of Beth Shemesh, out of curiosity, look inside the Ark, violating the sacredness of the object. God's immediate judgment strikes them down, leaving the people mourning over what had happened. They cry out, questioning who can stand in the presence of such a holy God. The Israelites, grieving the loss and uncertain of what to do, feel as though God has abandoned them, despite the return of the Ark.
The Meaning of God's Presence and Human Attempts to Control It
The story offers us insight into drawing near to God. One key takeaway is that God's presence is not tied to any specific object or ritual. God is a person, not an impersonal force, and He acts according to His will, not according to human expectations or manipulation. This lesson is highlighted by the Israelites' mistaken belief that bringing the Ark into battle would guarantee victory, as well as the Philistines' assumption that they could control God's power by capturing the Ark.
We must resist our desire to control or manipulate God, using rituals or objects in the hope of gaining favor or power. Instead, the true way to approach God is through a relationship, not by trying to control or predict His actions.
Worshipping God in Spirit and Truth
True worship of God is not about physical objects or set rituals but about worshipping "in spirit and in truth." In John 4:23 Jesus tells the Samaritan woman that the time has come when true worshippers will worship God in spirit and truth, indicating that the outward rituals of religion are not what connect people to God. This is a reminder that God's presence can manifest in various ways and through different methods of worship, and it is essential for believers to remain flexible and open to God's guidance rather than becoming rigid in traditional practices.
Be creative and flexible in your personal time with God. Just as God shows up in various ways in different people's lives, so too should individuals be willing to explore new ways of connecting with Him, whether through reading, meditating, or trying different spiritual practices.
The Only Path to God
The only way to truly approach God is through the blood of Christ, represented in the Old Testament by the blood sprinkled on the mercy seat. No matter how many good deeds one does, it is impossible to earn one's way to God. Humanity is flawed and guilty, and it is only through the sacrifice of Jesus that access to God is made possible. The blood of Christ is the ultimate solution to the separation caused by human rebellion and sin, symbolized by the contents of the Ark. The path to God is not about performance or manipulation, but about accepting the gift of grace.