Bible in one year 5/24/2022 1 Samuel Chapter 4 –8 the War with Philistines By Rev.Katherine Liu Bruce

 Bible in one year 5/24/2022 1 Samuel Chapter 4 –8 the War with Philistines

By Rev.Katherine Liu Bruce

Christian Arts Ministries : Biblical precepts & Gospel music

 

1 Samuel Chapter 4 His war with the Philistines : the defeat of the Ark by the Philistines

            Philistines(v.1), The Philistines or “Sea People” migrated from Create (Caphtor, Amos9:7) and other Aeggean islands to the eastern Mediterranean coast and settled on the southern coastal plain of Palestine, a region that became known as Philistia. The Philistines were a powerful military people and were the greatest threat to the Israelites during the days of Samuel, Saul, and David. Ebenezer means “stone of help”(7:12) Aphek. A strategic border city at the northern edge of the Philistine territory, eleven miles NE. of Joppa. The Ark (v.3) symbolized the presence and power of God, but the Israelites used it superstitiously by placing their faith in it rather than in God himself. The Philistines looked upon the Ark as an idol, an Israelite god.(vv.7-8). Torn clothing and dust on the head were the signs of mourning for the dead  or for national calamity.(v.12). verse 18 Only here is it indicated that Eli served as a judge as well as a priest. Ichabod (v.21) means “ no glory” the loss of the Ark meant the absence of glory in Israel.

 

1 Samuel 5 The curse of the Ark on the Philistines

             Ashdod(v.1) located on the Mediterranean coast thirty-three miles W. of Jerusalem, was one of the five major Philistine cities (6:17). Dagon (v.2) was a Philistine vegetation god. In ancient literature Baal is sometimes referred to as the “son of Dagon”. The idol fell before the Ark twice(v.4). The second time it was destroyed, as divine judgment on the Philistine deity. Tumors (v.6) Or boils. Perhaps the cores were the symptoms of bubonic plague, for rats ravaged the land(6:5). Gath(v.8). Another of the five Philistine cities (6:17), was twelve miles E. of Ashdod. Ekron(v.10) Another of the five Philistine cities(6:17), six miles N. of Gath. Tumors(v.12)One lesson from the experience of the Philistines with the Ark seems clear: no matter how sacred, that which is acquired by improper means can never bring blessing to the possessor.

 

1 Samuel 6 The return of the Ark by the Philistines

            The Philistine priests and diviners suggested that an offering of golden images of the rats and sores would appease the God of Israel and bring an end to the severe judgment. Cows(v.7),milk cows still nursing their young. The cows’ going away from their calves would be a clear indication that they were being led by a supernatural power and would signify to the Philistines that the plague had indeed been the judgment of God.(v.9). Beth Shemesh (v.12) was a Levitical city (Josh.21:16) of the Israelites in the sorek Valley, eight miles E. of Ekron, fifteen miles W. of Jerusalem. Ashkelon(v.17) is located on the Mediterranean coast, 9 ½ miles S. of Ashdod. Gaza is also on the coast, twelve miles S. of Ashkelon. There is no indication that the Ark was in Ashkelon or Gaza, but they came under the plague which fell on all the philistines(6:4). The men of Beth Shemesh were guilty of the presumptuous sin of gazing into the Ark, apparently a violation of Num.4:20 (Num.4:5-6,15-20). Kiriath Jearim (v.21) is located ten miles W. of Jerusalem. The Ark was not returned to Shiloh, for archaeological date indicates that the city was destroyed about 1050 B.C.(Jer.26:9)  

 

1 Samuel 7 His Revival ministry to Israel

            Ashtoreths(v.3) Canaanite fertility goddesses and the female counterparts of Baal. Canaanite cultic religion had filtered into Israelite worship. Samuel promised deliverance for repentance. Baals(v.4) the plural of Baal, the supreme fertility deity of the Canaanites, whose domain was the sky, from which he fertilized the land. Mizpah (v.5) located at Tell en-Nasbeh, about seven miles N. of Jerusalem. Samuel was a praying prophet.(8:6;12:19,23;Jer.15:1). The outpouring of water was a sign of repentance (v.6).Ebenezer(v.12) Lit., stone of help (4:1). The third major battle with the Philistines resulted in a victory for Israel and the recovery of Israelite territory as far W. as Ekron and Gath. Amorites.(v.14) A general name for the original inhabitants of Canaan (Gen.14:5-7). Samuel was a circuit –rider judge(vv.16-17). He had civil(7:16), religious (7:6,17), and military responsibility.(12:11)

 

 1 Samuel 8 His warning to Israel concerning their Demand for a King

            Beersheba.(v.2) A city located at the southern extremity of Israel(3:20), forty –eight miles S. of Jerusalem. Samuel’s sons used their office and authority for personal gain. This corruption is a reflection on Samuel, who was perhaps too involved in his ministry to watch over the spiritual welfare of his family. As a result, God was dishonored.(v.3). Three reasons are given for the elders’ request: 1) the corruption of Samuel’s sons, 2) the desire to conform to the pattern of others, 3) the need for a military commander(8:20). God had made provision in the law for the appointment of a king (Deut.17:14-15), but the error of the elders was in their attitude and in their failure to recognize God as their true King(8:7’12:12). The Lord revealed to Samuel the problems that having a king would bring: the drafting of young men and women(vv.11-13), the taxation of crops and flocks (vv.14-15, 17a), the appropriation of servants and animals(v.16), and the loss of personal liberty(v.17b). Conformity (v.20) to the ways of unbelievers is displeasing to the Lord and indicates spiritual decline(3John11).

 Was it God’s will for Israel to have a king? (v.22) Prophecies dating back to Moses indicate that it was(Gen.49:10; Num.24:17; Deut.17:14-20). It was not God’s perceptive will for Israel to acquire a king in the manner in which they were doing it (i.e., at the wrong time and from improper motives), but God allowed it because it was within His permissive will. God in His sovereignty allows even the evil deeds of men to accomplish His purposes (Gen.50:20; Acts2:23). With respect to sin and evil, God wills to permit it, but not to effect it, for He cannot commit evil(Isa.45:7).

 

  

Bibliography,

 

Ryrie, Charles C. The Ryrie study Bible (NIV).Chicago, IL: The Moody Bible Institute, 1986