1 Samuel 4 - Introduction
_THE ISRAELITES ARE OVERCOME BY THE PHILISTINES, WHO TAKE THE ARK: ELI, UPON HEARING THE NEWS, FALLS FROM HIS SEAT, AND BREAKS HIS NECK._ _Before Christ 1095._... [ Continue Reading ]
_THE ISRAELITES ARE OVERCOME BY THE PHILISTINES, WHO TAKE THE ARK: ELI, UPON HEARING THE NEWS, FALLS FROM HIS SEAT, AND BREAKS HIS NECK._ _Before Christ 1095._... [ Continue Reading ]
NOW ISRAEL WENT OUT, &C.— Probably the Israelites were encouraged to this undertaking, by the confusion into which the Philistines must have been thrown by the slaughter of their great men which Samson made at his death. The name _Ebenezer_ was not given to this place till some time after; ch. 1 Sam... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEREFORE HATH THE LORD SMITTEN US TO-DAY— The Israelites seem not only to have undertaken this war without consulting God, but to have vainly thought that, as being His people, they must necessarily be crowned with success; and in this vain confidence, they send for the ark of the covenant; not con... [ Continue Reading ]
WHO SHALL DELIVER US OUT OF THE HAND OF THESE MIGHTY GODS?— As no such thing had been done in all the former battles of the Israelites as bringing the ark into the camp, the Philistines, full of the ideas of local and tutelary deities, express their fear and surprise. It was, no doubt, in conformity... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEN HE MADE MENTION OF THE ARK OF GOD— Eli supported himself under his private calamities; but he no sooner heard of the loss of the ark, than his heart failed him, and his concern for religion affected him in the deepest manner; for, except that he was too indulgent a father, he appears to have be... [ Continue Reading ]
AND SHE NAMED THE CHILD I-CHABOD, &C.— Here, as usual, the reason of the name imposed is given: _I-chabod_ signifying literally _inglorious,_ or _without glory;_ glory being departed; i.e. the ark of God taken. Houbigant supposes the 22nd verse not to be the words of the mother of I-chabod, but thos... [ Continue Reading ]