March 25 Daily Devotional

1 Samuel 4–7

We mentioned the Philistines before. We remember that Israel was given into the hands of this enemy, and that Samson was sent to slay many of them, and so they did not trouble Israel for a number of years. But in the course of the years they had increased and become strong. So it happened that at the time of Eli another war took place between the Philistines and Israel. In the first battle Israel was defeated. What could be done? The proper thing would have been to turn to God in sincere prayer and obtain divine help and assistance. But the chief men said, “Let us fetch the ark of the covenant of the Lord out of Shiloh unto us, that, when it cometh among us, it may save us out of the hand of our enemies.” Instead of trusting in God they put their trust in the ark. It should have been left in the Holy of Holies. And what made it all the worse was that the ones that took it were Hophni and Phinehas, the wicked sons of Eli.

Before the battle started the Philistines were instructed, “Be strong and quit yourselves like men, O ye Philistines, that ye be not servants unto the Hebrews … and fight.” They did fight, and the ark did not help Israel. It was taken by the Philistines. Many thousand lives were lost, among them Hophni and Phinehas. Old Eli sat near the door of the tabernacle, when a messenger came from the battle field. His clothes were torn and he had earth on his head, indicating that he had sad news to report. Sorrowfully Eli listened to the account about the heavy loss and the death of his two sons, but when he heard that the ark of God had been taken, he fell backward from his seat and dropped to the ground and died.

After this the Philistines had the rule over Israel for a while. Meanwhile Samuel was active removing the idols and restoring the worship of the living God. At one time he called Israel together for a mass meeting at Mizpeh. It was a day of prayer, repentance, and consecration. A little later the armies of Israel and of the Philistines met again. At this time Israel was aware: we need the help of God. The people came to Samuel and said, “Cease not to cry unto the Lord our God for us, that he will save us out of the hand of the Philistines.” Samuel did so. He cried to the Lord and the Lord heard him. He sent a terrible thunderstorm and frightened the Philistines, so they were defeated and driven back to their own land. It was a great victory. Samuel rejoiced with Israel. He took a stone and set it up between Mizpeh and Shen. He called it Ebenezer, saying, “Hitherto hath the Lord helped us.” The Philistines were beaten to the extent, that as long as Samuel lived they never troubled Israel again. They even gave up the cities that they had taken away from Israel.