Chapter 232 of 1163

1 SAMUEL 4

Three tragedies are recorded here.

Defeat. Eli’s two sons wanted God’s help but not God’s holiness. They wanted God for the crisis experiences of life but not in their daily ministry (1 Sam. 2:12–17). They thought that the presence of the ark would assure victory, but their superstitious faith had no foundation. Beware “using” God to solve your problems if your life is not yielded to Him.

Death. The bad news from the battlefield brought death to Eli and his daughter-in-law. In Eli’s case, it was a judgment from God; in the mother’s case, it was the result of her burden for the glory of God. Phinehas was an ungodly man, but his wife must have been a godly woman to speak as she did.

Departure. The glory of God dwelt with Israel (Exod. 40:34–35; Rom. 9:4), but their sin forced God to depart at an hour when they most needed Him (Ps. 78:56–64). Israel had neither the ark nor the glory of God; they were naked before their enemies. Had they been concerned about God’s glory, they would have repented of their sins and obeyed Him, but it was too late.

Naming the Baby

Would you want your name to be Ichabod, “Where is the glory”? Or Ben-Oni, “Son of my sorrow” (Gen. 35:16–20)? Or Jabez, “He will cause pain” (1 Chron. 4:9–10)? Or Beriah, “Tragedy” (1 Chron. 7:23)? Our first birth identifies us with defeat, but the new birth identifies us with victory (1 John 5:1–5). When you trust Jesus Christ, your life changes in many wonderful ways.

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