Ark Taken by the Philistines
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the Lord, and serve Him only.” Here we see that practical piety, heart
religion, was taught in the days of Samuel as taught by Christ when He
was upon the earth. Without the grace of Christ the outward forms of
religion were valueless to ancient Israel. They are the same to modern
Israel.
There is need today of such a revival of true heart religion as was
experienced by ancient Israel. Repentance is the first step that must be
taken by all who would return to God. No one can do this work for
another. We must individually humble our souls before God and put
away our idols. When we have done all that we can do, the Lord will
manifest to us His salvation.
With the co-operation of the heads of the tribes, a large assembly
was gathered at Mizpeh. Here a solemn fast was held. With deep
humiliation the people confessed their sins; and as an evidence of their
determination to obey the instructions they had heard, they invested
Samuel with the authority of judge.
The Philistines interpreted this gathering to be a council of war,
and with a strong force set out to disperse the Israelites before their
plans could be matured. The tidings of their approach caused great
terror in Israel. The people entreated Samuel, “Cease not to cry unto
the Lord our God for us, that He will save us out of the hand of the
Philistines.”
While Samuel was in the act of presenting a lamb as a burnt offer-
ing, the Philistines drew near for battle. Then the Mighty One who
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had descended upon Sinai amid fire and smoke and thunder, who had
parted the Red Sea and made a way through Jordan for the children
of Israel, again manifested His power. A terrible storm burst upon
the advancing host, and the earth was strewn with the dead bodies of
mighty warriors.
The Israelites had stood in silent awe, trembling with hope and
fear. When they beheld the slaughter of their enemies, they knew that
God had accepted their repentance. Though unprepared for battle,
they seized the weapons of the slaughtered Philistines and pursued the
fleeing host to Beth-car. This signal victory was gained upon the very
field where, twenty years before, Israel had been smitten before the
Philistines, the priests slain, and the ark of God taken. For nations as
well as for individuals, the path of obedience to God is the path of
safety and happiness, while that of transgression leads only to disaster