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Patriarchs and Prophets
became necessary for Him to interpose, that the honor of His name
might be maintained.
“Now Israel went out against the Philistines to battle, and pitched
beside Ebenezer: and the Philistines pitched in Aphek.” This expe-
dition was undertaken by the Israelites without counsel from God,
without the concurrence of high priest or prophet. “And the Philistines
put themselves in array against Israel: and when they joined battle,
Israel was smitten before the Philistines: and they slew of the army
in the field about four thousand men.” As the shattered and disheart-
ened force returned to their encampment, “the elders of Israel said,
Wherefore hath the Lord smitten us today before the Philistines?” The
nation was ripe for the judgments of God, yet they did not see that
their own sins had been the cause of this terrible disaster. And they
said, “Let us fetch the ark of the covenant of the Lord out of Shiloh
unto us, that, when it cometh among us, it may save us out of the hand
of our enemies.” The Lord had given no command or permission that
the ark should come into the army; yet the Israelites felt confident that
victory would be theirs, and uttered a great shout when it was borne
into the camp by the sons of Eli.
The Philistines looked upon the ark as the god of Israel. All the
mighty works that Jehovah had wrought for His people were attributed
to its power. As they heard the shouts of joy at its approach, 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 has
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 unto
the Hebrews, as they have been to you: quit yourselves like men, and
fight.”
The Philistines made a fierce assault, which resulted in the defeat
of Israel, with great slaughter. Thirty thousand men lay dead upon
the field, and the ark of God was taken, the two sons of Eli having
fallen while fighting to defend it. Thus again was left upon the page
[584]
of history a testimony for all future ages—that the iniquity of God’s