Study In 1 Samuel

1. Study In1 Samuel Presentation 004

2. Chapter 4v1-22 THE WITHDRAWAL OF GOD Presentation 004

3. At the time when Israel had left Egypt, the Philistines were extensively settled along the coastal strip between Egypt and Gaza [Ex. 13.17]. After taking possession of the Promised Land some Israelites had adopted the Philistine gods cf. Jud.10v.6-7. When Israel entered into a moral and spiritual decline. God then used the Philistines to be a scourge of judgment to his people. Introduction Presentation 004

4. Samuel lived at the transition between the judges, like Samson and Gideon and the establishment of the monarchy. Unlike the judges, Samuel's principal contribution was not that of a warrior leader. The changes he brought about in the nation lasted considerably longer than any of the previous judges due, in measure, to the energy he directed towards teaching the people of God and to his intercessory ministry. Introduction Presentation 004

5. In 4v1 we read that Israel went out to meet the Philistines in battle. The Philistines had begun to flex their military muscle [it seems from the geography outlined in the passage that the Philistines had taken the initiative]. Israel was defeated in this conflict. Note that the elders of Israel were quick to recognise that God had brought the defeat upon them as they ask. 'Why did the Lord bring defeat upon us today...?’ v3. Defeat in Battle Presentation 004

6. Defeat in Battle The elders in Israel had greater clarity of spiritual insight than many of the leaders in our churches today. How so? Well this conclusion, ‘the Lord has brought defeat upon us’, is probably the last one that many of our leaders would draw when we are confronted with and try to explain the reverses experienced in both church whether in our individual or corporate life. Presentation 004

7. Defeat in Battle Now sadly, having made such an accurate diagnosis, the elders in Israel sought the wrong remedy. They chose the wrong path. They could have turned to Samuel, who was God's mouthpiece, [v1] and asked for guidance and instruction but chose not to do that. They could also have benefited from the lessons of history, e.g. Joshua 7v1ff, but they didn't do that either! Presentation 004

8. Defeat in Battle They could have searched for guiding principles in God's word cf. Deut 28v25 but they didn't do that either. Often people's failure to turn to God's word to explain their circumstances is that they suspect that the answer will be unpalatable and unacceptable. Instead, Israel put their trust in what was clearly a religious superstition; ‘We need the ark of the covenant with us in battle’. Presentation 004

9. Defeat in Battle The ark was the item of tabernacle furniture that among other things symbolised God's presence. So that to carry the ark into battle was, in their view, to carry God into battle. It would force God’s hand and would guarantee their victory! Behind many superstitions their lies a grain of truth Num. 10v35 and also lsoJosh.6v6-7 when the ark led the Israelite army around the walls of Jericho before their collapse. Presentation 004

10. Defeat in Battle What the Israelites failed to recognise was that on previous occasions when the ark had been carried into battle, success was not due to the presence of the ark but upon the obedience of God's people. The Israelites were treating the ark like a lucky rabbit's foot. Today, some people, who have little interest in obeying God, nevertheless believe that wearing a cross around their neck or keeping a Bible in their book-shelve, will keep them safe. But religious symbols are no substitute for moral obedience. Presentation 004

11. Defeat in Battle Religious excitement is never a substitute for the conviction of faith. The shout of assurance as the ark is brought into Israel's camp v5 falls into this category. [Interestingly, the words used to describe the arrival of the ark are exactly the same as those to describe Israel’s shout, when the walls of Jericho fell down]. Despite the obvious tactical advantage which the ark brought - it steeled Israel and terrified the Philistines - Israel were again defeated. Indeed, they lost more men with the ark than they had without it! Presentation 004

12. Defeat in Battle God allows his people to suffer defeat rather than support their spiritual and moral complacency. Why? Well one reason is that defeat can humble God’s people and bring them to repentance. Many Christians describe the defeats in their lives as God’s means of helping them uncover the depths of their backsliddenness. Presentation 004

13. Defeat in Battle This defeat also reveals an important aspect of God’s character. He is not a partisan God supporting his people no matter what the rights and the wrongs of an issue may be. A young boy moved home and a classmate introduced him to the local gang culture. The ‘champion’ fighter was introduced like this. 'He will help you if you are being picked on for no good reason but he will fight for me no matter what I have done!' God does not come to his people's help no matter what they have done. Presentation 004

14. Before both the news of Israel's defeat, his sons' death and the capture of the ark was brought to Eli, we read that, ‘his heart feared for the ark of God’ v13. Why? Eli should never have let the ark be used as purveyor of superstition, or a substitute for moral obedience. And it was the news of the ark's capture contributed to Eli’s death v 18. A Telling Portent Presentation 004

15. Did Eli remember the awful judgement pronounced by God that both his sons would die on the same day? Did he also grasp that the loss of the ark symbolised what his family had contributed to - the withdrawal of God's presence and protection for the nation. Was the cloud of dull spiritual perception suddenly lifted so that he could see the horror of what he’d been responsible for? A Telling Portent Presentation 004

16. The loss of the ark produced uproar in the city v13. What kind of people bemoan the loss of the religious symbol more than the reality it represents? Today we might press this home by asking a very basic question, “What is the more important to a congregation, the loss of their church building or the withdrawal of God’s presence from it?” A Telling Portent Presentation 004

17. News of Israel’s defeat not only precipitated death it brought about a premature birth v19. Note Phineas’ widow refuses to take comfort in the birth of her son. Without the presence of God she could see no future for Israel and with her dying breath names her child ‘Ichabod’ which means, ‘the glory has departed’. It is said that death sharpens the mind wonderfully, this woman saw with startling clarity exactly what had happened in Israel on that day. A Telling Portent Presentation 004