1 Samuel 4

Theme of chapter: The Philistines defeat Israel handily. The people of Israel were out of the will of God and were idol worshipping thinking the Ark of the Covenant itself on the battle field would bring them victory. They were very wrong.

Most important verse: 1 Samuel 4:3 And when the people were come into the camp, the elders of Israel said, Wherefore hath the LORD smitten us to day before the Philistines? 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.

Most prominent word: Philistines (a powerful sea people who settled in the coastal strip in SW Palestine)

Teaching about Christ: Christ cannot be put in a box, cannot be compartmentalized. He is the almighty.

Command to obey: Do not trust in idols. Money, power, etc. are all given by God and can be taken away.

Promise to claim: Out of the will of God was and is a dangerous place for a child of God.

New truth learned: The people of Israel were steeped in idolatry and God moves in and judges them by the hand of the Philistines. Samuel is a known prophet in the land, and no mention is given here that anyone consulted him before going into battle. The lesson here is, before you do anything make sure you are in the will of God. It's not, is God with you, it's more , are you with God.