I Samuel 4:1b-22
Dear RTB’ers,
Israel goes to battle with the Philistines and is defeated, so they figure that they need to bring the Ark of the Covenant from Shiloh to the battlefield so that they will gain an advantage – not recognizing that the Ark and God are not the same. The Ark is where God “resides”, but the Ark is not God. So now Israel is defeated again, Eli’s sons are killed, and the Ark is captured by the Philistines. A messenger brings this news to Shiloh, to Eli, and Eli falls over dead.
I’m intrigued by Eli’s position in all this. First, the elders from the battlefield request the Ark. Eli probably had serious misgivings about moving the Ark away from the Tabernacle, but he must have given his consent – very likely due to pressure from his sons, who then accompanied the Ark to the battlefield. Eli is troubled all the while that the Ark is gone from Shiloh: Eli was sitting on his seat by the road watching, for his heart trembled for the ark of God. (v. 13b) No mention of his sons’ safety, only for the Ark…! Then when he gets the news from the messenger, As soon as he mentioned the Ark of God, Eli fell over backward from his seat by the side of the gate, and his neck was broken and he died… (v. 18a) News of the Ark’s capture brings about Eli’s death, not the news of his sons’ deaths.
I’m wondering if there is any “redemption” in Eli’s final thoughts? I can hear him moaning, “Oh God, oh God…” at the mention of the Ark as he falls over. His last thoughts are of God, of God’s “residence”, not of his family. Is that redemptive? I wonder.
So, how about us? I’ve often heard some variant of “Make plans for a long life, but live as if you’ll die tomorrow – or later today.” Is God truly first for me? For you…? Later today…? Really…??!! Quite the sobering thought…!
Blessings!
See also: March 22 (2023) / I Samuel 4-7