1 Samuel 4

1Sa 4:1-11.

ISRAEL

OVERCOME BY THE

PHILISTINES.

1. the word of Samuel came to all Israel--The character of Samuel as a

prophet was now fully established. The want of an "open vision" was

supplied by him, for "none of his words were let fall to the ground"

(1Sa 3:19);

and to his residence in Shiloh all the people of Israel repaired to

consult him as an oracle, who, as the medium of receiving the divine

command, or by his gift of a prophet, could inform them what was the

mind of God. It is not improbable that the rising influence of the

young prophet had alarmed the jealous fears of the Philistines. They

had kept the Israelites in some degree of subjection ever since the

death of Samson and were determined, by further crushing, to prevent

the possibility of their being trained by the counsels, and under the

leadership, of Samuel, to reassert their national independence. At all

events, the Philistines were the aggressors

(1Sa 4:2).

But, on the other hand, the Israelites were rash and inconsiderate in

rushing to the field without obtaining the sanction of Samuel as to the

war, or having consulted him as to the subsequent measures they took.

Israel went out against the Philistines to battle--that is, to resist

this new incursion.

Eben-ezer . . . Aphek--Aphek, which means "strength," is a name applied

to any fort or fastness. There were several Apheks in Palestine; but

the mention of Eben-ezer determines this "Aphek" to be in the south,

among the mountains of Judah, near the western entrance of the pass of

Beth-horon, and consequently on the borders of the Philistine territory.

The first encounter at Aphek being unsuccessful, the Israelites

determined to renew the engagement in better circumstances.

3-9. Let us fetch the ark of the covenant of the Lord out of Shiloh

unto us--Strange that they were so blind to the real cause of the

disaster and that they did not discern, in the great and general

corruption of religion and morals

(1Sa 2:22-25; 7:3;

Ps 78:58),

the reason why the presence and aid of God were not extended to them.

Their first measure for restoring the national spirit and energy ought

to have been a complete reformation--a universal return to purity of

worship and morals. But, instead of cherishing a spirit of deep

humiliation and sincere repentance, instead of resolving on the

abolition of existing abuses, and the re-establishing of the pure

faith, they adopted what appeared an easier and speedier course--they

put their trust in ceremonial observances, and doubted not but that the

introduction of the ark into the battlefield would ensure their

victory. In recommending this extraordinary step, the elders might

recollect the confidence it imparted to their ancestors

(Nu 10:35; 14:44),

as well as what had been done at Jericho. But it is more probable that

they were influenced by the heathenish ideas of their idolatrous

neighbors, who carried their idol Dagon, or his sacred symbols, to

their wars, believing that the power of their divinities was

inseparably associated with, or residing in, their images. In short,

the shout raised in the Hebrew camp, on the arrival of the ark,

indicated very plainly the prevalence among the Israelites at this time

of a belief in national deities--whose influence was local, and whose

interest was especially exerted in behalf of the people who adored

them. The joy of the Israelites was an emotion springing out of the

same superstitious sentiments as the corresponding dismay of their

enemies; and to afford them a convincing, though painful proof of their

error, was the ulterior object of the discipline to which they were now

subjected--a discipline by which God, while punishing them for their

apostasy by allowing the capture of the ark, had another end in

view--that of signally vindicating His supremacy over all the gods of

the nations.

1Sa 4:12-22.

ELI

HEARING THE

TIDINGS.

13-18. Eli sat upon a seat by the wayside--The aged priest, as a public

magistrate, used, in dispensing justice, to seat himself daily in a

spacious recess at the entrance gate of the city. In his intense

anxiety to learn the issue of the battle, he took up his usual place as

the most convenient for meeting with passers-by. His seat was an

official chair, similar to those of the ancient Egyptian judges, richly

carved, superbly ornamented, high, and without a back. The calamities

announced to Samuel as about to fall upon the family of Eli

[1Sa 2:34]

were now inflicted in the death of his two sons, and after his death,

perpetuated the fallen glory of the church and nation

[1Sa 4:19-22].

The public disaster was completed by the capture of the ark. Poor Eli!

He was a good man, in spite of his unhappy weaknesses. So strongly were

his sensibilities enlisted on the side of religion, that the news of

the capture of the ark proved to him a knell of death; and yet his

overindulgence, or sad neglect of his family--the main cause of all the

evils that led to its fall--has been recorded, as a beacon to warn all

heads of Christian families against making shipwreck on the same rock.