1 Samuel 4:12-22
The man who brought the news replied, “Israel fled before the Philistines, and the army has suffered heavy losses. Also, your two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, are dead, and the ark of God has been captured.”
When he mentioned the ark of God, Eli fell backward off his chair by the side of the gate. His neck was broken and he died, for he was an old man, and he was heavy. He had led Israel forty years.
His daughter-in-law, the wife of Phinehas, was pregnant and near the time of delivery. When she heard the news that the ark of God had been captured and that her father-in-law and her husband were dead, she went into labor and gave birth, but was overcome by her labor pains. As she was dying, the women attending her said, “Don’t despair; you have given birth to a son.” But she did not respond or pay any attention.
The Ark never returned to Shiloh. Although there is no mention of it here, the Philistines probably followed up their victory by destroying this city. These verses record the fulfillment of God's judgment on Eli's family. It falls to the widow of Phinehas, dying in labor, to spell out the full measure of the tragedy: with the loss of the Ark 'God's glory has departed. The nation is bereft.
Why?
Eli was caring for the ark of the Lord.
Four men died on the same day in Eli family.
All of these events happened just like the prophet has said.
God's word never failed.
God's glory has departed from Israel is a very serious problem to the whole nation. For the Ark is the center of Israel, but they did not obey God's word. Ark of the covenant was a symbol only to them.
God is a living God.
How?
Fear the Lord and obey his word, honor God's holy name is my duty.
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