Patriarchs and Prophets

would have felt had the Israelites preserved their integrity. But a day of retribution
was approaching. God’s authority had been set aside, and his worship neglected and
despised, and it 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 expedition 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 disheartened 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
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