Today we’re diving deep into chapters 6 and 7 in our study of 1 Samuel. If you missed Parts 1 or 2? No worries, you can find them here.
Before we start with today's study, we recommend you ready chapters 6 and 7 if you haven't yet.
๐ญ ๐ฆ๐ฎ๐บ๐๐ฒ๐น ๐ฒ: ๐ง๐ต๐ฒ ๐๐ฟ๐ธ’๐ ๐ฅ๐ฒ๐๐๐ฟ๐ป
The ark of the covenant has been in Philistine territory for seven months, bringing devastation wherever it went. The Philistines, desperate to rid themselves of this divine judgment, seek a way to return the ark to Israel. They consult their priests and diviners, who recommend sending it back with a guilt offering—golden tumors and mice, representations of the plagues that struck them.
The Philistines send the ark on a cart pulled by two cows, a test to see if the plagues truly came from the God of Israel. Miraculously, the cows head straight for the Israelite territory of Beth-shemesh, confirming God’s hand in their suffering.
However, the Israelites’ joy at the ark’s return turns to sorrow when some men of Beth-shemesh look into the ark, violating God’s commands, and are struck down. The ark is then sent to Kiriath-jearim, where it stays for 20 years.
๐ฅ๐ฒ๐ณ๐น๐ฒ๐ฐ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป ๐ค๐๐ฒ๐๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป๐:
1. Why do you think the Philistines sought divine counsel before returning the ark, even though they worshiped false gods?
2. What does the judgment on Beth-shemesh teach us about the holiness of God and reverence for His commands?
3. How does this passage challenge how we approach God in our daily lives?
๐ญ ๐ฆ๐ฎ๐บ๐๐ฒ๐น ๐ณ: ๐ฆ๐ฎ๐บ๐๐ฒ๐น ๐๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ฑ๐ ๐๐๐ฟ๐ฎ๐ฒ๐น ๐๐ผ ๐ฅ๐ฒ๐ฝ๐ฒ๐ป๐๐ฎ๐ป๐ฐ๐ฒ
After 20 years of spiritual stagnation, Samuel emerges as a spiritual leader, calling Israel to repent and return wholeheartedly to the Lord. The people respond by putting away their idols, symbolizing a commitment to Yahweh.
Samuel gathers Israel at Mizpah for a national day of repentance. However, the Philistines see this as an opportunity to attack. The Israelites cry out to Samuel to intercede, and God answers mightily—He thunders from heaven, throwing the Philistines into confusion, allowing Israel to defeat them.
Samuel sets up a stone, calling it Ebenezer, meaning "Thus far the Lord has helped us," as a memorial of God's faithfulness.
๐ฅ๐ฒ๐ณ๐น๐ฒ๐ฐ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป ๐ค๐๐ฒ๐๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป๐:
1. What idols (literal or figurative) do you think people hold on to today that hinder their relationship with God?
2. How can repentance pave the way for victory in our spiritual battles?
3. Why is it important to memorialize moments of God’s faithfulness, like Samuel’s Ebenezer stone?
๐๐ ๐ฝ๐น๐ฎ๐ถ๐ป๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐๐ฟ๐ธ ๐ผ๐ณ ๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐๐ผ๐๐ฒ๐ป๐ฎ๐ป๐
Since the ark plays such a central role in these chapters, let’s take a moment to understand what it is:
The ark of the covenant was a sacred chest made of acacia wood and overlaid with gold. It was commissioned by God in Exodus 25 and housed the stone tablets of the Ten Commandments, a jar of manna, and Aaron's staff. The ark symbolized God’s presence with His people and was central to Israel’s worship. It was kept in the Holy of Holies in the tabernacle, where only the high priest could approach it once a year on the Day of Atonement. The ark was not to be touched or handled casually, emphasizing God's holiness and the need for reverence.
๐๐ฒ๐ ๐๐ฒ๐๐๐ผ๐ป๐ ๐ณ๐ฟ๐ผ๐บ ๐๐ต๐ฎ๐ฝ๐๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ ๐ฒ–๐ณ
1. ๐๐ผ๐ฑ’๐ ๐๐ผ๐น๐ถ๐ป๐ฒ๐๐: Both the Philistines and Israelites learned that God is holy and must be approached with reverence.
2. ๐ฅ๐ฒ๐ฝ๐ฒ๐ป๐๐ฎ๐ป๐ฐ๐ฒ ๐๐ฟ๐ถ๐ป๐ด๐ ๐ฅ๐ฒ๐๐๐ผ๐ฟ๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป: Israel’s spiritual revival began with Samuel calling them to repentance.
3. ๐๐ผ๐ฑ’๐ ๐๐ฒ๐น๐ถ๐๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฐ๐ฒ: When the Israelites cried out to God in faith, He intervened powerfully on their behalf.
4. ๐ฅ๐ฒ๐บ๐ฒ๐บ๐ฏ๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐๐ผ๐ฑ’๐ ๐๐ฒ๐น๐ฝ: The Ebenezer stone reminds us to celebrate and remember God’s past faithfulness, which strengthens our faith in present challenges.