1 Samuel 4

1 Samuel 4

Poole - “Thus as God was no loser by this event, so the Philistines were no gainers by it; and Israel, all things considered, received more good than hurt by it, as we shall see.” Eugene Merrill comments "Since the presence of the ark represented the presence of God in Israel, its capture suggested that not only was the ark gone but God Himself and all His glory were now in enemy hands. To the pagans it was conceivable that gods could be taken into exile (Isa. 46:1–2), but the Israelites should have known that their omnipresent God could not be taken away from them. How heathen Israel’s perception of God had become!" (Borrow Bible Knowledge Commentary - Old Testament ) William Blaikie - What an awful impression these scenes convey to us of the overpowering desolation that comes to believing souls with the feeling that God has taken His departure. Tell us that the sun is no longer to shine; tell us that neither dew nor rain shall ever fall again to refresh the earth; tell us that a cruel and savage nation is to reign unchecked and unchallenged over all the families of a people once free and happy; you convey no such image of desolation as when you tell to pious hearts that God has departed from their community. Let us learn the obvious lesson, to do nothing to provoke such a calamity. It is only when resisted and dishonoured that the Spirit of God departs (ED: THIS WILL NOT HAPPEN IN THE NEW COVENANT)—only when He is driven away. Oh, beware of everything that grieves Him (Eph 4:30)—everything that interferes with His gracious action on your souls. Beware of all that would lead God to say, “I will go and return to My place, till they acknowledge their offence and seek My face.” Let our prayer be the cry of David:—“Cast me not away from Thy presence, and take not Thy Holy Spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation, and uphold me with Thy free Spirit.” (1 Samuel 4) G Campbell