Knowing the Heart of God Expository Teachings on the book of 1 Sam 4, 5

The Characteristics of the Book of 1 Samuel 1 The People of God were unfaithful 2 The Judges/ Leaders lacked integrity 3 The Enemies were very oppressive 4 The Book represents the transition from the time of the Judges to the time of the Kings 5 It focuses on 3 key people: Samuel, Saul and David 6 It describes the role and significance of the “Ark of God” (Presence of God) 7 It demonstrates the outcome of Disobedience upon the people and the entire Nation.

FocusSamuelSaul Reference1: : : : : :13 Division First Transition of Leadership Eli - Samuel Leadership of Samuel 2 nd Transition of Leadership Samuel- Saul Reign of Saul 3rd Transition of Leadership Saul - David TopicDecline of JudgesRise of the Kings EliSamuelSaulDavid LocationCanaan Time130 years (Between 11th and 10th Century BC) The Outline of the Book would be as shown:

Recap: Life of Hannah She made a wise investment into her Family She made a wise investment of Faith She made a wise Investment into the Future Last week we looked at the birth of a Prophet of Israel; Samuel. He was God’s Provision in a time of National Crisis He was God’s Voice to bring order in the situation He brought God’s Heart so that people could draw closer to Him.

Vs 1 “And Samuel's word came to all Israel. Now the Israelites went out to fight against the Philistines. The Israelites camped at Ebenezer, and the Philistines at Aphek.” Ebenezer “While Samuel was sacrificing the burnt offering, the Philistines drew near to engage Israel in battle. But that day the Lord thundered with loud thunder against the Philistines and threw them into such a panic that they were routed before the Israelites. The men of Israel rushed out of Mizpah and pursued the Philistines, slaughtering them along the way to a point below Beth Kar. Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen. He named it Ebenezer, saying, “Thus far the Lord has helped us.” 1 Sam 7:10-12 It means a “Stone of help”, the place where Samuel erected a monument, in grateful remembrance of the divine help, given in answer to prayer, in a great battle with the Philistines.

Aphek, which means "strength/ stronghold," is a name applied to any fort or fastness. “When the soldiers returned to camp, the elders of Israel asked, “Why did the Lord bring defeat on us today before the Philistines? Let us bring the ark of the Lord’s covenant from Shiloh, so that he may go with us and save us from the hand of our enemies.” 1 Sam 4: 3

The ark was God’s throne among His people; it was a symbol of His presence and power with them wherever it went. First, the pot of Manna: “This is what the Lord has commanded: ‘Take an omer [portion for one man] of manna and keep it for the generations to come, so they can see the bread I gave you to eat in the desert when I brought you out of Egypt.’” Exodus 16:32 The pot of manna was an uncomfortable reminder that despite what God had provided for them, the Israelites had rejected God’s provision.

Second, Aaron’s staff that had budded: The people, out of jealousy, rebelled against Aaron as their high priest. “And the Lord said to Moses, ‘Put back the staff of Aaron before the testimony, to be kept as a sign for the rebels, that you may make an end of their grumblings against me, lest they die.” Num 17:10

Third, the two stone tablets with the Ten Commandments: God had chosen the Israelites as His special people. To Qualify for this, they must obey His Law, the Ten Commandments. This was a conditional agreement: “Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.” Exodus 19:5-6

 Symbols and Rituals do not Save us “The Philistines deployed their forces to meet Israel, and as the battle spread, Israel was defeated by the Philistines, who killed about four thousand of them on the battlefield. When the soldiers returned to camp, the elders of Israel asked, “Why did the Lord bring defeat on us today before the Philistines? Let us bring the ark of the Lord’s covenant from Shiloh, so that he may go with us and save us from the hand of our enemies.” I Sam 4: 2-3

“So the people sent men to Shiloh, and they brought back the ark of the covenant of the Lord Almighty, who is enthroned between the cherubim. And Eli’s two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, were there with the ark of the covenant of God. So the Philistines fought, and the Israelites were defeated and every man fled to his tent. The slaughter was very great; Israel lost thirty thousand foot soldiers. The ark of God was captured, and Eli’s two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, died.” I Sam 4: 4,10-11

“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. She named the boy Ichabod, saying, “The Glory has departed from Israel”— because of the capture of the ark of God and the deaths of her father-in-law and her husband. She said, “The Glory has departed from Israel, for the ark of God has been captured.” I Sam 4: 19-22

 Symbols and Rituals Remind us that we need God “Israel has built many altars to take away sin, but these very altars became places for sinning! Even though I gave them all my laws, they act as if those laws don’t apply to them. The people of Israel love their rituals of sacrifice, but to me their sacrifices are all meaningless. I will hold my people accountable for their sins, and I will punish them. They will return to Egypt. Israel has forgotten its Maker and built great palaces and Judah has fortified its cities. Therefore, I will send down fire on their cities and will burn up their fortresses.” Hosea 8: Christ alone became that perfect man who fulfilled God’s desire. He himself became the perfect sacrifice that absolutely pleased God.

“This is an illustration for the present time, indicating that the gifts and sacrifices being offered were not able to clear the conscience of the worshiper. They are only a matter of food and drink and various ceremonial washings—external regulations applying until the time of the new order. But when Christ came as high priest of the good things that are now already here, he went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not made with human hands, that is to say, is not a part of this creation. He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption. The blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean. How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!” Heb 9:11-14

Ichabod was born Inglorious and remained in that Inglorious state. Christ was born “Inglorious” but through his death and resurrection His Glory was restored. “…the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the Lord’s people. To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” Col 1: 26-27