_A.M. 2863. B.C. 1141._ Israel smitten by the Philistines, 1 Samuel 4:1; 1 Samuel 4:2. They bring the ark into the camp, which affrights the Philistines, 1 Samuel 4:3. Israel beaten and the ark taken, 1 Samuel 4:10; 1 Samuel 4:11. The news brought to Shiloh, and the death of Eli, 1 Samuel 4:12. The... [ Continue Reading ]
_The word of Samuel came to all Israel_ The revelation of God's mind and will, which had been very rare among them in former days, (1 Samuel 3:1,) now became frequent and plentiful. For as Samuel himself was ready to instruct every one that came to him, so he instituted schools or colleges of prophe... [ Continue Reading ]
_Wherefore hath the Lord smitten us?_ This was strange blindness, that when there was so great a corruption in their worship and manners, they could not see sufficient reason why God should suffer them to fall by their enemies. _Let us fetch the ark_ That great pledge of God's presence and help, by... [ Continue Reading ]
_All Israel shouted_ From their great joy, and confidence of success. So formal Christians triumph in external privileges and performances; as if the ark in the camp would bring them to heaven, though the world and flesh reign in their hearts.... [ Continue Reading ]
_God is come into the camp_ Thus these ignorant idolaters termed the mere symbol of God's presence God, imagining, no doubt, that the Israelites worshipped it. _They said, Wo unto us_ The name of the God of Israel was formidable even to those that worshipped other gods, and some apprehensions even t... [ Continue Reading ]
_Who shall deliver us_, &c. They had fought with men before; but now they thought they should have to fight with God, before whom none could stand. Here we see their unreasonableness and folly. They secretly confess the Lord to be greater than their gods, and yet presume to oppose him! _That smote t... [ Continue Reading ]
_Be strong, and quit yourselves like men_ When they were recovered out of the fright which had at first seized them, they considered that they had made the Israelites subject to them notwithstanding the power of their God, and had also overthrown them in a late battle. Probably the words of this ver... [ Continue Reading ]
_They fled every man to his tent_ They were so routed that they did not flee to their camp as before, with an intent to renew the fight, but each man to his habitation, here called by the ancient name of _tent. There fell_ Before, they lost but four thousand; now, in the presence of the ark, thirty... [ Continue Reading ]
_The ark of God was taken_ Which God justly and wisely permitted, to punish the Israelites for their profanation of it; that, by taking away the pretences of their foolish confidence, he might more deeply humble them, and bring them to true repentance: and that the Philistines might by this means be... [ Continue Reading ]
_With his clothes rent, and with earth upon his head _ According to the manner of those who bewailed any great calamity, Joshua 7:6; Job 2:12; Ezekiel 27:30. From which last place it appears it was a custom among other nations.... [ Continue Reading ]
_His heart trembled for the ark of God_ Whereby he discovered a public and generous spirit, and a fervent zeal for God, and for his honour, which he preferred before all his natural affections, not regarding his own children in comparison of the ark, though otherwise he was a most indulgent father.... [ Continue Reading ]
_He fell from his seat backward_ Being so oppressed with grief and astonishment that he had no strength left to support him. Though he was much to be blamed for his too great indulgence and lenity toward his sons, yet it was highly commendable in him that he was not so much affected by their death,... [ Continue Reading ]
_Fear not_ Indeed, the sorrows of her travail would have been _forgotten, for joy that a child was born into the world._ But what is that joy to one that feels herself dying? None but spiritual joy will stand us instead then. Death admits not the relish of any earthly joy: it is then all flat and ta... [ Continue Reading ]
_I-chabod_ Where is the glory? _The glory is departed_ That is, the glorious type and assurance of God's presence, the ark, which is often called God's glory, and which was the great safeguard and ornament of Israel, which they could glory in above all other nations. _For the ark of God is taken_ Th... [ Continue Reading ]