05: The Glory has departed from Israel ( 1Samuel 4:1 – 22)

They brought the ark of the Lord to the battlefield, expecting victory, but they were defeated and lost the ark.

πŸ‘‰ Read 1Samuel 4:1 - 22


Q1. When the Israelites failed in the battle, they knew (            ) had made them defeated. They said, “Let’s take with us the ark of the (                   ) of the Lord from Shiloh. When it is with us, it (        ) save us.”  They took the ark of the covenant of the Lord of (                        ), who sits between (               ). Now the (             ) of Eli were there. 

When the Israelites failed in the battle, they knew ( the Lord  ) had made them defeated. They said, “Let’s take with us the ark of the (  covenant  ) of the Lord from Shiloh. When it is with us, it ( will ) save us.”  They took the ark of the covenant of the Lord of ( Heaven’s Armies ), who sits between (  cherubim  ). Now the ( two sons  ) of Eli were there.

What was wrong in their taking the ark to the battlefield? They attempted to compel the Lord to intervene in the battle by invoking the covenant. The phrase “sits between the cherubim” indicates that the ark was meant to remain in Shiloh, its designated place. They were permitted to move the ark only when commanded by the Lord.

Eli’s two sons were responsible for keeping the ark in the right place. 



Q2. Even the Philistines recognized that the God of Israel was mightier than any other god. So, how could they have defeated the Israelites?

God made Israel defeated.


Q3. In the account of Israel’s defeat, the author does not emphasize the details of the battle itself. Instead, what was the primary concern of the key figures in the narrative described in verses 11–22?

  • The ark was captured.
  • The Glory had departed from Israel.

The lengthy and detailed description in verses 12-15 highlights Eli’s anxiety about the ark. He was aware that taking the ark to the battlefield was wrong.

The ark is mentioned in verses 11, 13, 17, 18, 19, 21, 22.

It must have been shocking for them to be defeated despite bringing the ark to the battlefield. This serves as a reminder that the Lord may allow Christians to face humiliation before non-Christians. It is especially true when we try to use God's name for our benefits.




This would not have happened if they had not taken the ark to the battlefield. They neither repented nor prayed; instead, they tried to compel the Lord to deliver them from their enemies by bringing the ark. Approaching the Lord without repentance while seeking blessings only hastens His judgment.


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