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When the people were come into the camp, the elders of Israel said, Why has Yahweh struck us today before the Philistines? Let us get the ark of the covenant of Yahweh out of Shiloh to us, that it may come among us, and save us out of the hand of our enemies.

Verse Takeaways

1

Don't Confuse Symbols with God

Commentators unanimously point out Israel's critical error: they treated the Ark of the Covenant like a magical object. They believed its physical presence would automatically save them, confusing the symbol of God with God Himself. This serves as a powerful warning against placing our faith in religious items or rituals rather than in a relationship with God.

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Book Overview

1 Samuel

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Commentaries

4

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes

On 1 Samuel 4:3

18th Century

Theologian

In the evening of the defeat of the Israelites, the elders held a council and resolved to send for the ark. The biblical text describes the ark in …

Charles Ellicott

Charles Ellicott

On 1 Samuel 4:3

19th Century

Bishop

Why has the Lord smitten us? —The people and the elders who, as we have seen above, had undertaken the war of liberty at the insti…

John Gill

John Gill

On 1 Samuel 4:3

17th Century

Pastor

And when the people came into the camp
At Ebenezer, where they pitched their tents, and from where they went out to …

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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry

On 1 Samuel 4:1–9

17th Century

Minister

Israel is struck down before the Philistines. Sin, the accursed thing, was in the camp and gave their enemies all the advantage they could desire. …