As Samuel grew up, he lived in harmony with God’s word and will, in contrast to Eli’s sons, who disregarded God’s will. As a result, God announced doom on Eli and his house, but Samuel continued to be blessed.

The Israelites and the Philistines drew up against each other a few miles from the coast. The battle was joined and the Israelites were worsted, partly because the Philistines had iron weapons. After the initial defeat, Israel demanded that the ark be brought from Shiloh, believing that God would fight for them. They approached the service of God as if it were magic-if they followed certain formulas or muttered certain words, then the power of God could be harnessed to their desires. They fetched the box, but God won’t be manipulated. The Philistines redoubled their courage and crushed the Israelites in battle.

At that time, Hophni and Phineas, the sons of Eli, die just as God announced (2:34). A runner travels about 22 miles from the battlefield to Shiloh and reports the terrible defeat to general grief. When he relates that the ark of God has been captured, Eli collapses, falling over backward and breaking his neck. He had ruled (judged) Israel for 40 years. At this time, Phineas’ wife dies in labor just as she delivers a son she named “Ichabod,” meaning, “no glory,” since the glory of God (the ark) had departed from Israel. The loss of the ark is a disaster of the highest order for the nation of Israel.

In triumph, the Philistines parade the ark back to Ashdod and locate it in the temple of their idol, Dagon. In the ancient world, victory was believed to be the result of conflict in the supernatural realm. Therefore, a victorious people would set up the conquered religious artifacts as trophies in their pagan shrines. In this case, the ark, a symbol of God, was located in the temple of Dagon, the chief Philistine idol.

However, the idol was knocked down during the night. A second time, the idol’s head and hands were broken off and placed on the threshold, giving rise to a new custom among the Philistines. At once, a plague (perhaps bubonic plague) broke out among the Philistines. In desperation, the people of Ashdod send the ark to Gath-where the same thing happens. In turn, they pass the ark to Ekron-and the people panic! They demand that it be returned to Israel.

After seven months of disaster, the Philistines resolve to return the ark, so they consult their pagan priests. They are advised to include an offering: five golden tumors and five golden rats, representing the five cities and five rulers of the Philistines. Urgency is urged and the experience of Pharaoh and Egypt is cited as evidence! The suggested transportation is: a new cart hitched to a pair of milk cows whose calves have been taken from them. The plan is simple. If the cows draw the cart straight eastward, to the Israelite territory, then this is all of God. If the cows just wander around, the plague has happened by chance and this is not of divine origin.

The plan is executed and the cows go straight up to Israel, traveling to Beth Shemesh, about 10 miles due east. The people there chop up the cart for wood and sacrifice the cows as an offering to God. The Levites took the ark and the golden offerings and put them on a nearby prominent rock. The people rejoiced, yet 70 died for violating the sanctity of the ark-they looked inside it. The ark was then sent to Kiriath Jearim, another 5 miles away, where it was installed in the house of Abinadab, whose son, Eleazar, was commissioned to guard it.

The ark remained in that place for 20 years. Samuel urges a general repentance to entreat the favor of God. The first step must be the removal of idols. The people agree and assemble at Mizpah, north of Gibeon. There they fast, pray and offer penitent confession. The Philistines heard of the great gathering and determine to strike a heavy blow. They gather to attack and the Israelites are thrown into panic.

Samuel sacrifices and entreats God to intervene. God grants his prayer and fought against the Philistines with thunder. As they fled, Israel pursued and struck down the Philistines. Samuel set up a monument to the event, commemorating God’s gracious intervention. He erects “Ebenezer,” which means “stone of help.”

The Philistines are subdued and the Amorites are at peace with Israel. Samuel traveled a circuit of about 35 miles among four villages north of Jerusalem. In this way, he offers sacrifice, serves as a judge and enforces the worship of God.

Discussion Questions:

1. The Israelites assumed that God would never allow His ark to be taken by pagan Philistines, so they would be safe if the ark was with them. Later, Jews felt the same about the Temple until the Babylonians destroyed it. In what ways do we feel beyond God’s judgment? How do people treat God like a magic spell or lucky charm?

2. If the ark was disastrous to the Philistines, why did they send it to their countrymen? If Dagon was shown to be powerless, why did the Philistines continue to worship the idol? What senseless ungodliness do we engage in?

3. The Philistines considered that if the cows carried the ark directly to Israelite territory, it was a message from God. How do people today seek daily guidance from God? How does God provide guidance for us now? How do we know?

4. Why did Samuel wait 20 years for calling the nation to a general repentance? What monuments in our own lives can we point to as evidence of God’s help and care? How important is it for us to tell our stories of God’s gracious intervention in our lives?