THE GLORY HAS DEPARTED

1 Samuel 4:1b-22

Key Verse: 22

She said, “The glory has departed from Israel, for the ark of God has been captured.”

Read v. 1b-2  Who goes out to fight against the Philistines? (1b) Who were the Philistines? (Ge10:14; Jos13:2-3; Jdg3:1-4) What was the result of the battle? (2) 

Read v. 3-5  How did the elders of the Israelites respond to their defeat? (3a) What was the Israelites’ plan for defeating the Philistines? (3b-4, Jos 6:7-14) What do you think may be a problem with the choice they made?  When the ark came into the camp, how did the Israelites respond? (5)

Read v. 6-11. How did the Philistines react to hearing the uproar? (6-8) What did they say to encourage each other? (9) What was the result of the second battle? (10) In particular, what happened to the ark and two sons of Eli? (11, 2:31)

Read v. 12-22.  Who brought the news? (12) What did Eli’s heart fear for? (13a) What did the messenger tell Eli? (16-17)  What happened to Eli when the ark was mentioned? (18) What may Eli have been reminded of before he died? (2:30-34) What happened to his daughter-in-law? (19-20) What did she name the boy and say? (21-22)

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