_Wherefore hath the Lord smitten us today before the Philistines?_ THE ADVANTAGES OF DEFEAT This cry of amazement stands between two defeats. Defeat astounded Israel: it fell in despite of priests and religious parade. We should study defeats. Personal and corporate both. Army cadets at Sandhurst... [ Continue Reading ]
_So the people sent to Shiloh._ SHILOH AND ITS LESSONS This subject forms an impressive chapter in the history of Israel. Eli was now the theocratic judge of the Hebrew commonwealth, and its administration centered round Shiloh, where he dwelt and the ark was kept, and its statutes observed. Let u... [ Continue Reading ]
_And the Philistines were afraid, for they said, God is come into the camp._ IS GOD IN THE CAMP? I. Consider the great mistake which both Israelites and the Philistines made. The Israelites, instead of seeking to God himself, went to Shiloh to fetch the ark of the covenant. Before they had won any... [ Continue Reading ]
_And the Philistines fought and Israel was smitten._ THE HARVEST OF SIN This story tells of a harvest that had long been predicted, and that at length was reaped. “They have sown the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind.” See, now, the various harvests that were reaped that day. 1. Israel reap... [ Continue Reading ]
_And the Ark of God was taken (compare _1 Samuel 5:7_._ and 2 Samuel 6:15). THE ARK TAKEN AND RETAKEN The whole of this history which gathers round the capture of the ark, and its return to the land of Israel till it found a home in Jerusalem, is of very great interest. I. Let us first, then, loo... [ Continue Reading ]
_And there ran a man of Benjamin out of the army, and came to Shiloh the same day with his clothes rent, and with earth upon his head._ THE TIDINGS BRINGER I. That useless lamentations after the event cannot compensate for weakness or misconduct during the event. It is well to repent with bitter t... [ Continue Reading ]
_For his heart trembled for the ark of God._ ON SOLICITUDE FOR THE PROSPERITY OF RELIGION I. That a good man will always feel concerned for the safety, honour, and advancement of religion. In the success of the Gospel, are involved the pleasure and glory of God. The good man considers it as an augu... [ Continue Reading ]
_Ichabod, the glory is departed from Israel: for the ark of God is taken._ ICHABOD zhere was a dark cloud over Israel’s firmament. It was a night of gloom; but amidst the revelry and excitement of sin, few could hear the hearings of the commonwealth, or discern the signs of the times that betokened... [ Continue Reading ]