The Error of God's People - I Samuel 4:1-11

Good morning, everybody. I welcome you to Kootenai Community Church adult Sunday school and We are resuming our study in first Samuel. So if you would please turn to first Samuel 4 we're going to be looking at the first 11 verses may not make it that far, but That is the context of what we're going to be examining.

Before we start I'd like to open in prayer Heavenly father. We just thank you this morning for the privilege of Collectively gathering with the Saints and father. We as we worship you as we bring your word forth in the teaching and preaching of your word.

And as we lift up our songs and praise in hymns We pray in all that we do. That it would bring glory to your name to the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We thank you for the privilege of still being able to have the freedom To be able to collectively gather as your children and we pray that your word would be Claimed throughout the world through all those that are your true Children, we just thank you and pray this in Jesus name.

Samuel as Prophet and the Spiritual Condition of Israel

Amen. First Samuel chapter 4 verses 1 through 11. Samuel was quite an honorable servant of God. He was one of God's prophets in the Old Testament. He's spoken of in this way in Psalm 99 verses 5 and 6.

Exalt the Lord our God and worship his footstool. He is holy. Moses and Aaron were among his priests and Samuel. Among those who called on his name they called upon the Lord and he answered them. Samuel was a man of prayer he was a Levite Nazarite a prophet of God a judge and a faithful man of God.

He was established as God's spokesman for Israel. Now as we have looked earlier in this book we realized that There was a great lack of spiritual leadership amongst the Israelites. They had drifted away from God.

Much of it that they did was in contrast to God's Word. In other words The state of Israel at this time was sinful. His people were disobedient. They had a high priest whose sons Acting as priests were committing all kinds of vile acts at the temple in Shiloh he didn't do anything about it and So we'll examine that more closely today verse 1.

Thus the word of Samuel came to all Israel. Now Israel went out to meet the Philistines in battle in camp beside Ebenezer where the Philistines camped in a fact. The Philistines drew up in battle array to meet Israel when the battle spread.

Israel was defeated before the Philistines who killed about 4 ,000 men on the battlefield. When the people came into the camp the elders of Israel said Why has the Lord defeated us today before the Philistines?

Let us take ourselves from Shiloh the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord. That it may come among us and deliver us from the power of our enemies. So the people sent to Shiloh and from there they carried the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord of hosts who sits above the cherubim and the two sons of Eli Hophni and Phinehas were there with the Ark of the Covenant of God as The Ark of the Covenant of the Lord came into the camp all Israel shouted with great joy so the earth resounded.

When the Philistines heard the noise of the shout they said What is this noise of this great shout in the camp of the Hebrews?

Mean.

They then understood that the Ark of the Lord had come into the camp. The Philistines were afraid and they said God came into the camp and they said woe to us for nothing like this has happened before.

Woe to us who shall deliver us from the hand of these mighty gods. Little G. These are the gods who smote the Egyptians with all kinds of plagues and the wilderness. Take courage and be men. Oh Philistines Are you will become slaves of the Hebrews as they have been slaves to you therefore be men and fight.

So the Philistines fought and Israel was defeated and every man fled to his tent and The slaughter was very great for they fell of Israel 30 ,000 foot soldiers and the Ark of God Was taken. The two sons of Eli Hophni and Phinehas died.

Now a man of Benjamin ran from the battle line and came to Shiloh the same day. With his clothes torn and dust on his head. When he came behold Eli was sitting on the seat by the road Eagerly watching because his heart was trembling for the Ark of God.

So the man for the Ark of God, so the man came in to tell in the city all the city cried out when Eli heard the noise of the Outcry he said what does this noise of the commotion mean? Then the man came hurriedly to and Told Eli now Eli was 90 years old and his eyes were so set that he could not see.

The man said to Eli. I am the one Who came from the battle line indeed? I escaped from the battle line today, and he said how did things go my son? Then the one who brought the news replied Israel has fled before the Philistines and there has been a great slaughter among the people and Your sons also.

Hophni and Phinehas are dead and the Ark of God has been taken. When he mentioned the Ark of God Eli fell off the seat backward beside the gate and his neck was broken and he died. For he was old and heavy thus judged Israel 40 years.

The Textual Question in 1 Samuel 3:21 and 4:1

Now I'm not going to cover all of this text today. But as we begin this text, I want to go back to verse 21 in chapter 3 the last verse in chapter 3 Which reads and the Lord? Appeared again at Shiloh.

Because the Lord revealed himself to Samuel at Shiloh by the word of the Lord this is Controversial between different reformed scholars as we consider this text the New International.

Reads.

This way in chapter 3 verses 19 through 21 The Lord was with Samuel and he grew up and he had let none of his words Fall to the ground in all Israel from Dan to Bersheba recognized that Samuel attested as a prophet of the Lord.

Verse 21 the Lord continued to appear at Shiloh and There he revealed himself to Samuel through his word in quote. The Vulgate also includes the last verse of chapter 3 in Chapter 4 in verse 1 so the translations differ as We look at this.

Some would say thus the word of Samuel is connected to the last verse in 321 in the Vulgate and some other translation they connect this clause In verse 21 in chapter 3 the translation having verse 1 of Chapter 4.

I don't want to confuse you here that it could give the wrong understanding. In other words if verse 21 Gave the statement and the Lord appeared again at Shiloh because the Lord revealed himself to Samuel At Shiloh and the word of the Lord By the word of the Lord verse 1 This is a new American Standard Version.

Verse 1 reads this way. Thus the word of Samuel Came to all Israel. Now Israel went out to meet the Philistines in battle so the controversy is this. If some believe that this Translation had been changed later to place verse 1 in chapter 4 back into Chapter 3 verse 21 that would mean that God had anointed Samuel for a spokesman over Israel.

But if he did so and as we read in chapter 4 the controversy is this that means That Samuel would have directed the Philistines to go into battle. So, which is it?

We.

We are keeping with the current translation here and I want to make the Comment this way as we consider the character of Samuel. He was a man of God a man of prayer and he knew that he was a spokesman for God.

So in other words what he told Israel came from God. He was God's direct spokesman spokesman. So being that man of prayer if he had directed.

The.

Israelis and the elders of Israel to enter into battle. He would have consulted with them and they would have prayed and asked the Lord's blessing to guide them into battle. But if he did so Israel would be called to repentance before they went into battle.

God uses battles throughout the Old Testament. As we looked in if we look at judges previous book We understand that God judged Israel. They would repent and then they'd fall into sin. God would bring another nation to battle him.

It went back and forth. Israel was constantly falling into sin. So I believe that as we read this chapter 4 in our current translation New American Standard we will look at this as.

Literal.

So as we continue thus the word of Samuel came to all Israel. Now as we looked at the other Translation and the New American Standard versions. It mentioned something.

That.

Samuel's words did not fall to the ground. What that meant is Samuel was in prayer and in communication with God and when he spoke to Israel as their Spokesman and prophet He did so as utterances of God.

It would be like him proclaiming God's Word to Israel. Now the elders it didn't appear that they brought the Israeli army together in prayer. They entered into battle. And as we go on we'll examine this more carefully.

Assuming the first verse belongs to the third chapter and refers generally to the acceptance of Samuel as a prophet by the whole nation of Israel Verses 1 through 11 in chapter 4 sets forth several facts.

One.

Israel was suffering from subjection to the Philistines entered into war for recovery of freedom and yet suffers defeat to Ordinary means of warfare falling against the Philistines. The elm Shiloh into battle thinking that would assure victory over the Philistines.

Three the visible presence of the ark at once Raises the courage and hope of the Israel army and the Philips. The Philistines with fear they knew That the ark somehow Represented God. Now they were a pagan pantheist nation.

So they believed in many gods. Little G. They believed that God was actually their God. Their idol was actually contained within the Ark of the Covenant. So that's why they reacted for as a counter-stimulus to inspire the Philistines to conquer the combatants the commanders of the Philistine army expressed their desire for freedom and not to become captives of these Hebrews.

In the fifth the battle takes place resulting in the taking of the Ark of the Covenant by the Philistines and also costs the lives of 30 ,000 foot soldiers including the sons of Eli Hoffney and Phineas.

There can be no doubt that the will of God is being carried out in the triumphs as well as the defeats of the nation of Israel.

God.

Sovereignly unfolded his plan in that battle. It's an advantage to the world that Biblical history we give in written form the principles that God has given us for man to be governed by. The Pentateuch which includes the Old Testament Ceremonial law was given to Israel some of the basic principles of the moral law That was given through the Ten Commandments.

Some of which are carried over into civil and criminal law of our country. God's chosen people Israel were given great promises in the Pentateuch. Some revealed that They would bless those who obeyed and curse those Who disobeyed.

So they're very conditional? Remember, this is in the Old Covenant law. They would be given the law if they were obedient they were blessed. Disobedient they were cursed they suffered God's judgment. So as we think of this and think how some of the prosperity teachers today Use some of these Old Testament Law and Try to teach and pervert it in such a way to tell that Christians today have to live out this law in order to be prosperous and healthy and yet they have no understanding of Sin Repentance and God's grace and salvation they distort and pervert the gospel.

They will of course at some point in time lest they repent and truly turn to Christ. They will fall under God's wrath in the final judgment. They will face the Holy God and his righteous punishment as we consider this text.

It's.

Truly painful to see God's people who are given instruction who have a godly leader at this point. Not repent. The elders wouldn't even Call them to repentance. So we have a People that are God's chosen set-apart people that were disobedient.

They had no concern about their sinfulness. All they cared about is God preserving them. So what do they do? They send the Shiloh for what to bring the Ark of the Covenant. Now we're going to go into more depth about the Ark of the Covenant.

But they were using it as a charm. They didn't use it in a respectful way and under the guidance and prayer of Samuel. They did it to bring it in battle so that they could assure perhaps a victory over these Philistines.

As.

We consider throughout all of Scripture. God always condemns sin and Calls us to obedience and holiness. Of course the New Testament. We know that God is not mocked for whatever man sows. He will also reap Galatians 6 7.

Cornell did that before he began Corinthians sometime before that. The blessings so eagerly sought by Israel for obeying his law was not always carried out because of their love of God, but rather for personal protection or personal gain.

God's promise a blessing to his people Israel were given to them So that they would honor Jehovah God and be set apart From all nations he wanted them to demonstrate that these were God's people Jehovah God and He wanted them to be set apart from the pagans.

He did not want him to live a sinful Idolatrous life. One be. Now Israel went out to meet the Philistines in battle and camp beside Ebenezer With while the Philistines camped in a fact. Now the location of this is pretty specific a fact but Ebenezer that location that was just a stone which wasn't even there at this time.

This will will see this in chapter 7 when they are in a position to define What happened That became a monument. Samuel used a stone which he called Excuse me Ebenezer forgive me as we go on the location of that site is not known specifically, but we do know where IFA was in.

The second verse the Philistines drew up in battle array to meet Israel now the typical battle array. For the Philistines as well as the other enemy nations was a crude type of axe. The axes Historically were made of iron at that time and they were hammered out into a crude shape.

That's similar to the axes we have today the blunt end Tapered down and then there was semi sharpening of the Sharpened but the Damage it cause was by blunt trauma not by the sharpness of the axe. They also carried swords and sometimes they had spears and Some had formed a very crude form of a shield when they went into battle.

But it was cumbersome to try to hold the shield and also battle so The axes that they used were so crude they would carve a handle out of wood and they would take this iron piece that was hammered out like a head and They would fasten it with leather straps and when they're in battle and swinging that axe Sometimes the axe head would just fly off and they were left without a weapon.

So they weren't reliable but when they were Used they were very deadly. Verse 3 when the people came into the camp the elders of Israel said why has the Lord defeated us today before the Philistines? Let us take to ourselves From Shiloh the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord that it may come among us and deliver us from the power of our enemies.

This was a disgrace. The elders were seeking to carry the Ark of the Covenant into battle and use it as Some kind of a charm. They had no idea the at this stage their sinful state. They couldn't even understand or remember What the Ark of the Covenant? represented.

Israel was always to seek God's direction if they were instructed to go into battle. For against any pagan nation they would wait upon Jehovah God to lead them into victory. The Ark of the Covenant was then brought with the Israelites when they went into battle so that the enemies Would understand that these were God's people.

It was more of a symbol of bringing focus on who these people were. It wasn't a good luck charm. It was a representative That God was their God. God's presence with them Was not because the Ark of the Covenant but because of their standing before God.

This was another evidence of how sad a spiritual state they were in. So the people sent the Shiloh and from there they carried the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord of Hosts. Who sits above the cherubim and the two sons of Eli?

Hophni and Phinehas Were there with the Ark of the Covenant? The text never tells us that Samuel nor the Israelite elders asked for God's direction or leadership. It does however say that Israel instigated the battle in verse 1.

The elders did not consult Samuel or doesn't reveal that to us for direction or for him to go to the Lord on their behalf perhaps in Addition to their sinful spiritual state they did not consult with Samuel because of his youth.

Perhaps they thought well he may be God's spokesman, but he's immature. Certainly he couldn't give us direction from God. So they didn't consult Samuel. The Ark of the Covenant was a box Which was actually constructed out of acacia wood.

Acacia is a very was a very hard wood in the Middle East very figured with grain but very dense. The box itself was made of this acacia wood. It's approximately four feet long. Two and a half feet wide and two and a half feet high it was covered with gold outside and inside.

It had an ornament of gold molding which went around the perimeter of the Ark. It had a gold cover. In other words the lid was made out of gold and on the gold lid there were two cherubins one on each end and they were bent over in prayer with Wings straight up and they were bowing.

The essence of it was to show that this was God's people. This was his throne and the angel were pairing Bent over giving praise and honor and glory to their God. Inside were the two tablets which God had made For Moses and carved on two stone tablets the Ten Commandments.

Also there was Aaron's budded rod or staff which Aaron used to show the Pharaoh of Egypt that God was more powerful than his magicians and he caused Aaron's staff to actually swallow up as we remember the staff that the magicians brought forth and it had turned into a serpent and Aaron's rod also turned into a serpent and swallowed it.

It was also used to strike the waters in Egypt and they turned red with blood. It was also what he held up when he parted when Moses called upon God to part the sea. So it was there and it was later on that the rod actually budded.

Which was in numbers 17 1 through 8. As the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord came into the camp all Israel shouted with great joy. Having brought the Ark of the Covenant into the camp, which the army of Israel had camped.

They were full of great courage and cheered because they had Believed that the Ark of the Covenant would assure them victory over these Philistines. This act of arrogance and Sinfulness on the part of the Israelites was just another display of what state they were in.

The elders had not begun to go and battle against the Philistines without prayer. But they did in verse 6 when the Philistines heard the noise and the shout they said What does this noise this great shout in the camp of the Hebrews mean?

Then they understood that the Ark of the Lord had come into the camp. Now these pagan Philistines as I mentioned were pantheistic and had many different gods in the forms of idols made of wood or carved of stone and These idols could be carved out and carried with them in battle.

So the various pagan nations were all pantheists as well. They did the same. So the view of the Philistines of the Hebrews Was that this was their idol, but it was a very powerful isle. They knew that When God struck the Pharaoh with all the plagues and had parted the sea to deliver his people Israel from bondage that God used this Covenant Ark of the Covenant, so they actually thought that Ark is what was responsible for the victory over Egypt and the Pharaoh.

They referred to him as Hebrews. Now this came from the word Elohim. Though plural it's used on one true God. But in the sense has always the verb or adjective belonging in the singular one God three persons in verse 7 the Philistines Conformed to this rule and they say Elohim has come here.

But here's in the verb form and pronoun and the adjectives are plural they speak as one who is a polytheist. That there were many gods and this is one of them. The belief that there are many gods is common in practice amongst even Some believers today not believers.

I'm sorry, but some proclaiming and professing to be believers. They have distorted the Word of God and they have actually Fallen for another gospel, which is no gospel. They're unregenerate three Philistines these Philistines feared.

What.

Happened to the Egyptians so they feared that the same plague would come upon them as soon as they knew. That they carried the Ark of the Covenant also on the Ark. There were four rings two on each end and there was a Pole that went through it.

So it was carried by four men when they went into battle or moved the Ark then the commander of the Philistines said this take courage and be men. Oh Philistines or you will become slaves to the Hebrews as they have been slaves to you.

Therefore be men and fight as a judgment of God. For Israel's failure to take out all the inhabitants of Canaan God caused them to fall under his judgment. He allowed Israel to be enslaved by the Philistines.

This took place in Judges chapter 10 verses 13 through 16. One of the leading Philistines army at Affect knew that his men were fearful now if that happens in battle when the soldiers who are confronting the enemy if they become fearful that They're outnumbered or fearful that they can't overtake this enemy because they have superior training or superior weapons.

They become fearful. Therefore it weakens them. They don't have the heart to fight so this commander knew he had to strengthen them. He said remember this You're a captives. We do not want to be captives by these Israelites.

Be strong and be men. In verses 10 and 11 so the Philistines fought and Israel was defeated and every man fled to his tent and The slaughter was very great and for their fell of Israel 30 ,000 footholders.

Now as We look at the counts and the statistics or the numbers that fell in battle We have to remember that the numbering system back then was very crude so Some translations will say 30 ,000 40 ,000.

Most historians think there was approximately about 28 ,000 that were lost in that battle. So we don't have an accurate number of actual Deaths that were sustained. Being stimulated by their commander the Philistine army fought vigorously.

They were well trained and also very seasoned warriors. But the remaining Israelites those that didn't die they may have been wounded or untouched. Retreated it says they retreated to their tents. The intensity of this battle was such that the Israelites knew that God had allowed their enemy Philistines To conquer them.

They didn't want to be captured they fled and they went to their tents. What's that mean? Well the Israelites at that time lived in tents. They traveled and when they moved or traveled they would move their tent with them.

So they went back in retreat and in fear and scattered to wherever their tents were located. So not only did they lose that many in battle, but they were so fearful that they just scattered. They didn't stay together.

They went each to their tent. Every man to his tent means that they fled in every direction as well. Though the Israelites were outnumbered against a better equipped and battle seasoned army the Israelites lost the battle.

Because they did not seek God. They defeated many battles enemies of Israel with Lesser army fighting. Why. Because God led them he protected them and he overcame their enemies. But here he allowed them to take this toll.

Because of their sinful state Eli in verse 11 and the ark of God was taken and the two sons of Eli Hophni and Phinehas died. Eli in his final years as a priest had become frail and weak in his old age.

Even when he heard rumors of his sons Wicked and sinful practices. He did not remove them and have them killed. Now he knew the Old Testament law. Their sin was so grievous. They should have been put to death.

He did not as a result God brought judgment upon him. The law of Moses would have required them to be put to death for this atrocious act that they did in Shiloh. They had committed Grievous sins they not only stole sacrifice, but even worse the maidens who came to care for the temple and clean.

They would seduce them. But these would not go without God's divine judgment and just punishment. Back in chapter 2 he proclaimed to Eli that not only he would take his family. But all the heritage would no longer have the priesthood.

So God gave him a great Judgment which he carried out here beginning with Hophni and Phinehas. God made the proclamation of punishing Eli's sons as well as his future generation. He carried out partially in this battle taking Hophni and Phinehas.

God pronounced his judgment upon Eli in all his house. The priesthood would be taken from his line. That's how grievous his sin was. We can think about well. Why didn't God carry out immediate judgment?

God is sovereign and he's also long-suffering. But as one continues to sin without repentance Make no mistake They will suffer Consequences from a holy and righteous God Lest they repent. So the Lord began to carry out his prophecy upon Eli's sons and brought about their deaths in battle at Aphek as Proclaimed he would do so in chapter 2 verses 30 through 34.

Practical Lessons: Holiness, Repentance, and Trusting God

As we consider this text There is several practical lessons that we can learn. We understand That these were God's people we understand they were in a sinful state. They used the Ark of the Covenant as a good luck charm as Any pagan would do and Yet they didn't serve The Holy God that set them apart for himself because of it many died and because of it the Future of all Israel and the priestly line of Eli would be altered as judgment by God.

So when we consider this We must remember That God takes any sin against him seriously. He wants his people His church to be set apart from the world. He wants every generation of those who call upon Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior to be set apart for himself sanctified and holy.

We can only do so as we humble ourselves and Submit ourselves to God and Recognize when we sin we repent turn to him for forgiveness and continue We persevere because God working in us continues to Transform us and to sanctify us.

We have that privilege and we can freely Present the gospel to those who are lost.

Freely.

Admonish a brother or sister who is in sin to bring them in right standing with God. So as we consider this text and as we move forward on this text, even though it's a historical narrative There's always precepts that we can learn and understand that This is God a holy God that we serve and we give him praise for what he has shown us in this legacy.

Father we just come to you now and we just thank you for the privilege of Examining your word, but I pray father that you would grant us understanding and that we would not only gain understanding of who you are and What you have done for your people both in the Old Testament and now through Christ That we are your people and that we serve a holy God.

I pray Lord that we would strive to pursue holiness to honor you in all that we do and say we thank you now and pray these things and our Precious name of our Lord and Savior and we pray also father as Jim brings forth the word in preaching that we would be able to receive it eagerly and to be able to Understand that as your word that is a transforming power in our lives.

We pray as we offer our praise and offerings to you that you would also be glorified in All that we do and say we pray this in the precious name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.