The Philistines Captured the Ark
First Samuel 4:1b-11
The Philistines captured the Ark DIG: Why were the Philistines initially able to defeat Isra’el? Why didn’t it help the Israelites to have the Ark of the covenant in the battle with them? What were the three results of bringing the Ark into the battlefield? How did the Philistines find out that YHVH was the true God?
REFLECT: What were the motives of the Israelites when they brought the Ark into battle? In what ways do people tend to treat God the same way today? Do you learn from the defeats in your life? What lesson do we learn from the mistake of the Israelites who looked upon the Ark as a “good-luck charm?”
God would use the Ark to teach both the Jews and the Philistines some important lessons.
The narrative begins abruptly with a battle between Isra’el and the Philistines (to see link click Af – Isra’el and the Philistines). We know that Isra’el found the Philistines to be their most serious enemy in the eleventh century, but the narrative of Samuel so far has not given us any preparation for this conflict. Everything in First Samuel points to the reign of David in Second Samuel. Chapters 1-3 introduce us to Samuel, the kingmaker. Chapters 4-6 now give us the reason for the later emergence of David, the Philistines.114
Isra’el was forced into battle by the Philistine attack. Isra’el went out to fight against the Philistines, trying to stop their expansion into Jewish territory, setting up camp at Ebenezer (7:12), while the Philistines camped at Aphek (4:1b). Aphek was over twenty miles north of Ekron, the northernmost of the five city-states of the Philistines (the others being Ashdod, Ashkelon, Gaza, and Gath), in the foothills to the west of Shiloh. The threat was obviously the most serious against the Tabernacle there (see Ae – The Tabernacle at Shiloh).115 The Philistines were the “curse of God,” raised up to chastise the backslidings of the LORD’s people. Therefore, Isra’el’s relationship with the Philistines was a barometer of their relationship with ADONAI. When Isra’el experienced defeat, they saw that it was the withdrawal of divine favor.116
Defeat (4:2-3): An example of divine disfavor is provided by the first defeat at Ebenezer. The Philistines drew up in battle formation against Isra’el. The battle was fierce, and Isra’el was badly beaten by the Philistines – they killed about four thousand soldiers on the battlefield. So, the Philistines won the first battle, but it was not decisive because the Israelites were able to retreat to their encampment. The elders realized that God is sovereign over all affairs, and they also understood that under the covenant, Isra’el’s success or failure in battle was a direct sign of God’s favor or disfavor. After all, when Joshua led the tribes into Canaan, it was the LORD who gave them the victory at Jericho (see the commentary on Joshua Bb – And the Walls Came Tumbling Down). But when Achan sinned, it was also YHVH who made the same army fail (Joshua 7). Experiencing this new failure, with four thousand lost in a single battle, when the army had returned to camp, the elders of Isra’el asked: Why did ADONAI bring defeat upon us today before the Philistines?
That defeat fitted the pattern displayed during the time period of the Judges (see Judges At – The Twelve Cycles). Throughout that dark period of Isra’el’s history, there was a predictable cycle of events. First, Isra’el would forget the LORD and sin against His Torah. So, God would give Isra’el over into the hands of their enemies. During this period of foreign oppression, they would sooner or later repent and turn back to Ha’Shem. He would then send the next leader in the line of judges to bring victory and save them from their enemies. Before long, the people would turn again from YHVH, engaging in even worse idolatry than before, prompting yet another judgment from God in the form of conquest and subjugation. This downward-spiraling pattern continued under the evil leadership of ‘Eli and his sons (see Ar – ‘Eli’s Wicked Sons).
Unfortunately, Isra’el’s elders did not consider ADONAI’s reasons for their defeat. Nor did they go to Samuel, the prophet through whom God was speaking. Instead, they quickly turned to an action of their own making. Their solution was to bring the Ark for the covenant of ADONAI from Shiloh, so that He would come among the Israelites and save them from their enemies. They believed that God’s Presence and power were physically tied to the Ark. Isra’el’s history was replete with dramatic occasions when the presence of the Ark brought divine power for victory (Num 10:35-35). It was all too easy for people to believe that it was the Ark that brought miraculous power rather than God Himself! Especially in a time when people did not know ADONAI (3:7), it was practically inevitable that they should think that the Ark was some kind of “good-luck charm.” So they chose to bring the Ark into battle like the pagans brought their idols into battle (2 Sam 5:21; 1 Chron 14:12). They did not turn their hearts to God. They did not ask the LORD why He had permitted their defeat; nor did they humble themselves and seek first God’s Kingdom and His righteousness (Mt 6:33).
An illustration of this can be seen in the contrast between the leaders of the First Great Awakening in America (mid-18th century) and the Second Great Awakening (early 19th century). The First Great Awakening arrived as an unexpected and mighty work of God as His Spirit attended the simple and faithful preaching of His Word. There was no particular technique or method to the First Great Awakening, and its leaders devoted themselves to personal godliness, to prayer for God’s will, and to fervent, if plain, biblical preaching. This true revival was a sovereign outpouring of the Ruach Ha’Kodesh that fundamentally changed the character of America. But in the Second “Great” Awakening, the emphasis shifted to the techniques of revivalism that have dominated religious culture ever since: altar calls, numbers-driven fund-raising, and manipulative evangelistic tactics. Far too many believers today have followed the elders’ lead in seeking techniques instead of turning to God Himself and humbling themselves in seeking His grace.
Ark (4:4-9): So the elders sent a delegation to Shiloh and brought from there the Ark for the covenant of ADONAI-Tzva’ot, who is present above the cherubim. The Ark was the sign of God’s Presence, and there as His priests, were the two most offensive to Him. The two sons of ‘Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were there with the Ark for the covenant of God, wanting to take credit for the supposed upcoming victory. There is no indication that ‘Eli approved that the Ark be taken into battle. Evidently, he was overruled by his two sons. It was unlikely that the elders of Isra’el gave much thought to what YHVH might have been thinking about their actions. In their minds, they had the “good-luck charm,” and when the Ark of the covenant of ADONAI entered the camp, all Isra’el gave a mighty shout that resounded through the land. There were three results for Isra’el relying on their “good-luck-charm.”117
The first result was the false confidence of the Israelite army. This was a sad picture because the Israelites thought they were placing their trust in the LORD’s Presence, when, in fact, they were merely trusting in a man-made object. It shows that they would have been willing to follow the ways of YHVH if only ‘Eli and his sons had led them correctly.118 Their mighty shout, which echoed so loudly as to be heard in the Philistine camp two miles away, was reminiscent of earlier holy wars (see Deuteronomy Ag – The Problem of Holy War in the TaNaKh), in which Isra’el had triumphed (Josh 6:5; Jud 7:20). But their enthusiasm was merely a prelude to defeat. They believed that ADONAI was with them as before; when, in fact, He had not approved of the battle they were fighting, had not promised His Presence, and would not act to protect them from their foes.
The second result was that the arrival of the Ark had effects not only on the Israelites, but also in the Philistine camp. On hearing the shout, the Philistines asked, “What does this great shout in the Hebrews’ camp mean?” Then, through their spies, they realized that the Ark of ADONAI had arrived in the camp. And the Philistines became afraid, saying: God has entered the camp! We’re lost! Nothing like this has ever happened before. We’re lost! Who will rescue us from the power of these mighty gods? In reference to the Ten Plagues in Egypt, the Philistines, being polytheistic, believed that those were the gods that completely overthrew the Egyptians. The Philistines had heard of the Ark from the mighty power that Ha’Shem exerted when Moses led the Israelites from Egypt. They believed that the arrival of the Ark signaled the coming of whatever god or gods its owners worshipped. However, their leaders encouraged them to be strong and behave like men, you Philistines; so that you won’t become slaves to the Hebrews, as they have been to you (Judges Chapters 10, 13-16). Behave like men, and fight!
Defeat (4:10-11): The third result was the defeat of Isra’el in battle, with disastrous effects. So, in the second battle, the Philistines fought and Isra’el was decisively defeated, with every man fleeing to his own tent. It was a terrible slaughter and 30,000 of Isra’el’s foot soldiers fell. But in Isra’el’s defeat, the purposes of ADONAI were established according to His prophecy to Samuel (see Ax – Samuel’s First Prophecy). Moreover, the Ark of God was captured. In pagan theology, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob was then a defeated god (but in short time they would learn differently). Never in the history of Isra’el had the Ark of God ever fallen into enemy hands.
And fulfilling the prophecy of the man of God, the house of ‘Eli ended when the two sons of ‘Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, died (see Au – God’s Rejection of ‘Eli’s House). In addition, it also ended the prominence of Shiloh as the center of God’s covenant people; in hot pursuit, the Philistines overran and destroyed Isra’el’s religious capital. As a result, the Tabernacle was moved to Nov (see the commentary on the Life of David Av – David at Nov). Psalm 78:59-64, Jeremiah 7:12-15 and 26:6-9 laments how ADONAI abandoned the Tabernacle at Shiloh, the Tent He had made where He could live among people. He gave His strength into exile, His pride to the power of the foe. He gave His people over to the sword and grew angry with His own heritage. God would use the Ark to teach both the Jews and the Philistines some important lessons.
Thus ended the rule of the priests at Shiloh; for YHVH planned to anoint a king through Samuel (see Bx – Samuel Anoints Sha’ul). For whatever Isra’el and the Philistines might have thought, the capture of the Ark and the defeat of Isra’el’s army didn’t point to the overthrow of God. The elders thought that by bringing the Ark they had ensured that He would defend His honor; little did they realize that the LORD intended to defend His honor by sending the Philistines to bring judgment on His idolatrous people!119
Dear Heavenly Father, praise You for being so loving, wise and discerning to see the intents of men’s hearts and to see beyond the outward actions. But ADONAI said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or his stature, because I have already refused him. For God does not see a man as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but ADONAI looks into the heart” (First Samuel 16:7). Thank You that what You desire most from mankind is a relationship of love (Mathew 22:36-37). How wonderful that You call Your children to pray to You and You hear. You do not desire empty words, but meaningful words from a heart of love. And when you are praying, do not babble on and on like the pagans; for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him (Matthew 6:7-8).
Praise Your great wisdom, love and power that sought to teach a lesson to both the Israelites and the Philistines by allowing the Ark of the covenant to be captured. The Israelites learned that to worship You is not by having something which they used as a “good-luck charm.” The Ark of the covenant was very important for it symbolized the covenant that the people made with You to follow and to obey, but it was not the physical box that was the key, rather was the relationship of the people to love and follow You as their Lord. Thank You for now living inside those who love You (John 14:23). In Messiah Yeshua’s holy name and power of His resurrection. Amen
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