1 Samuel 4 - 8 (9th April) - Vivien

1 Samuel 4 - 6
In chapter 4, the Ark of Covenant was captured by the Philistines. How come Israel lost the battle with the Philistines even when they brought the Ark along with them? If we were to go back to chapter 2, where the Eli’s wayward sons and the prophecy against the house of Eli was written, it was God’s will to put them to death. And when Israel went out to battle, who went along with them? Hophni and Phinehas. Although it seemed like Israel’s faith had risen when they had decided to bring the Ark along, it seemed rather more like the lack of faith in God, that they needed an object that signified God to boost their morale – they missed the point…

Looking at the Philistines, when they heard that the Ark was with them, they actually feared! Even they, who are not believers, knew that God is powerful and ought to be feared, even after so many generations passed. Not like the Israelites, who has forgotten the mighty wonders that God had done in their midst. There is something to learn even from the Philistines! That moment of humility had caused them to win the battle. It is like, you accept the fact that you are fighting a losing battle, but you choose not to give up and just fight. Yes… The enemy won and had captured the Ark, but God is still a God of His words. In chapter 5, we can see that the enemy did not have a good time with the Ark in their territories, and ended up that they even offered guilt offerings with returning the Ark to the Israelites in chapter 6.

Can you see how God kill many birds with one stone? Just in this chapter, the prophecy of Eli’s household was fulfilled, the importance of humility was shown, and at the same time the power of God was shown to the nations, including Israel, through showing that the Ark did not need the protection of men, but God Himself is capable of protecting the Ark. It is like in Matthew 27:41-43 and Luke 23:35, when the priests and teachers of the law mocked at Jesus at the cross, and ask Jesus to save Himself if He is God. Not that Jesus couldn’t, but He chose not to.

When the Ark returned to Israel, the people rejoiced. However, there were 70 of them who got struck down by God. The consequence of disobedience.

1 Samuel 7 – 8
After 20 years, Samuel got the people to get right with God again and he would intercede for the Philistines to be subdued. So finally the towns initially captured by the Philistines were restored to Israel again and there was peace between Israel and the Amorites. And Samuel continued to judge over Israel all his lifetime.

Disappointingly, when Samuel had grown old, the Israelites ask for a king to rule over them. And their reason for doing so? So that they would be like the other nations… Bringing this to a more relevant issue, is there anything in life that you wanted to have, be or do because others are doing it, and you think that is cool?

1 Corinthians 10: 23
"Everything is permissible"—but not everything is beneficial. "Everything is permissible"—but not everything is constructive.
Think about it.

God did not force it unto His people that they shall have no king before God, because He is King. Instead, God told Samuel to listen to them and give them what a king.

Even in the midst of being a warrior of Light, we might face discouragement. Don’t feel bad or lousy about yourself when you are rejected when discipling or sharing Christ.

1 Samuel 8:7
And the LORD told him: "Listen to all that the people are saying to you; it is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected me as their king.