1 Samuel 4:1-22
4:1-2 The children of Israel enter a battle against the Philistines and are soundly defeated.
4:3-4 The children of Israel do not understand why they lost the war; they are used to their ancestors effortlessly winning battles against their enemies. We begin to understand why they lost the battle even if they do not: they do not love or even know God. They are not connected with His will because they have abandoned His philosophy in their lifestyle.
They mistakenly believe that if they carry the ark of the covenant into battle, it will cause God to fight on their behalf. They believe that the power of God is a thing. Children of God understand that to have His presence, power and defense, they need only love and follow Him.
4:5-9 God has a reputation: as soon as the Philistines see that the children of Israel have brought they ark, they become afraid. The problem is that the children of Israel behave as the Philistines; they do not know God or understand His power.
4:10 Despite the children of Israel's confidence and the Philistine's fear, the children of Israel are again defeated.
These verses instruct us on the manner through which we receive God's power in our lives. We cannot worship an idol or place our faith in a thing, expecting it to help us receive whatever we want. True persons of God understand that rather than recruiting God, especially through an idol, into selfish plans, we are meant to align ourselves with His plans. For to align with God is to align with purpose, joy, wisdom and creation.
4:11 Not only do the Philistines thoroughly defeat the children of Israel, they also take the ark (the representation of the Israelite faith and God). Eli's sons, Hophni and Phinehas die.
4:12-15 Meanwhile, Eli is nervously waiting for news of the battle. A messenger arrives and informs Eli of the defeat. Eli is nervous for the ark; Eli has already been told by God that his family will perish. Eli fears that losing the ark does not bode well for the children of Israel.
4:16-17 Eli inquires after his sons and the messenger explains that they both died. He also tells Eli that the ark has been taken.
4:18 When Eli finds out about the art, he falls over and dies. The loss of the ark is fearsome representation of how Eli's family have disregarded (and disrespected) God's will. Eli's sons corrupt behavior caused the faith to become corrupted and the truth of that causes Eli more pain than he can sustain.
4:19-22 Phinehas' wife goes into labor; upon finding out about the stolen ark, the death of her father-in-law and husband, she is stripped of joy. The birth is representative of a generation born into a corruption. Her hope is depleted, knowing the condition of the world.
But we who do not abandon God do not have to fear such things as the condition of the world. Our connection with God enables us to receive His expert orchestration into purpose and joy (Ruth and Boaz lived in a corrupt generation but their love and respect for God, their compassionate souls, allowed God to blossom joy and life in their own little niche of the earth).
