1 Samuel 4:10-13 - The Israelites were defeated

4:10,11

So the Philistines continued to fight, and they defeated Israel again. This time the losses were even greater, thirty thousand. Why did the Ark have no effect on the battle? It was because it was not a “lucky charm”. Israel’s problem was her sin, her abandonment of the ways of God. Israel needed to repent.

As well as losing the battle, the Ark of the Covenant was also captured, and Eli’s two sons both died. The prophecies against Eli’s family were being fulfilled, and more was to come.

4:12,13

Eli “feared for the ark of God”. He probably didn’t think that taking it out into battle was such a good idea, and thought that it might well be captured. Eli was “watching”, though since he was blind he wouldn’t see much. A Benjamite came from the battle, with all his clothes torn in rags, and with dust on his head. The man informed the town of Shiloh of how badly things had gone, so the whole town was in fear.