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The Story of Redemption
the blood of the atonement, from which was derived the virtue of all
sacrifices.
Samuel told Eli the words of the Lord; “and he said, It is the
Lord: let Him do what seemeth Him good.” Eli knew that God had
been dishonored, and he felt that he had sinned. He submitted that
God was thus punishing his sinful neglect. The word of the Lord
to Samuel was made known by Eli to all Israel. In doing this, he
thought to correct in a measure his past sinful negligence. The evil
pronounced upon Eli was not long delayed.
The Israelites made war with the Philistines and were overcome,
and four thousand of them were slain. The Hebrews were afraid.
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They knew that if other nations should hear of their defeat they would
be encouraged to also make war with them. The elders of Israel
decided that their defeat was because the ark of God was not with
them. They sent to Shiloh for the ark of the covenant. They thought
of their passage over Jordan and the easy conquest of Jericho when
they bore the ark, and they decided that all that was necessary was
to bring the ark to them, and they would triumph over their enemies.
They did not realize that their strength was in their obedience to that
law contained in the ark, which was a representative of God Himself.
The polluted priests, Hophni and Phinehas, were with the sacred ark,
transgressing the law of God. These sinners conducted the ark to the
camp of Israel. The confidence of the men of war was restored, and
they felt confident of success.
The Ark Taken
“And when the ark of the covenant of the Lord came into the
camp, all Israel shouted with a great shout, so that the earth rang
again. And when the Philistines heard the noise of the shout, they
said, What meaneth the noise of this great shout in the camp of the
Hebrews? And they understood that the ark of the Lord was come
into the camp. And the Philistines were afraid; for they said, God
is come into the camp. And they said, Woe unto us! for there hath
not been such a thing heretofore. Woe unto us! who shall deliver us
out of the hand of these mighty gods? These are the gods that smote
the Egyptians with all the plagues in the wilderness. Be strong, and
quit yourselves like men, O ye Philistines, that ye be not servants