1 Samuel 4:1-3 – Don’t presume on God

We were given a summarily glimpse into the life of Samuel and what he accomplished in the last three verses of 1 Samuel 3. They tell us that, "Thus Samuel grew and the Lord was with him and let none of his words fail. All Israel from Dan even to Beersheba knew that Samuel was confirmed as a prophet of the LORD. And the Lord appeared again at Shiloh because the Lord revealed Himself to Samuel at Shiloh by the word of the Lord" (1 Samuel 3:19-21).

The opening line of 1 Samuel 4 was not a summary of Samuel’s ministry but an indication of the start of Samuel’s ministry as the prophet of the nation. What he said concerning Israel was beginning to be felt by the people. In the same opening verse that indicates the beginning of Samuel’s ministry, we are also introduced to the enemy that Israel would be encountering. They were identified as the Philistines. Nothing was said about what prompted the hostilities, but we are told in no uncertain term that a battle was looming. Like Israel, they were also new to the region. And they inhabited mainly the coastal plain to the west of the hill country where the Israelites had lodged. The five main cities of the Philistines were: Ekron, Ashdod, Gath, Askelon, and Gaza. Each of these cities was governed by a lord. No doubt there must be a tussle for control of the land that Israel had just entered. Verse 2 said that the battle between them was about to begin. The Israelites came and camped beside Ebenezer whereas the Philistines were camped nearby in Aphek.  

In the first round of battle, Israel was defeated and 4,000 of them were killed on the battlefield. When they returned to the camp, the question of the elders was a natural one. They asked, “Why has the Lord defeated us today before the Philistines?” They asked the right question but did not take the right action. Instead of praying and seeking the LORD for an answer, they assumed that God was still with them. So they presumed on the Lord and decided to take the Ark of the Covenant which was at Shiloh with them into battle. This Ark was a symbol of the covenant of God with them. They presumed that God was obliged to grant them victory since they were His covenant people.

While God loves us and is committed to us, He expects us to be His obedient people. It is never His desire to destroy us. He only has the very best intention for His people. But in the interest of our future, He will deal with us to get us to align with His plan and purpose. And in so doing, he will allow us to experience defeat so that we can return to Him. We on our part must not presume on God, and the relationship we have with Him. Know this for sure, God will not condone our waywardness. He will discipline us to get us aligned. So be ever sensitive and receptive to God’s dealing. Ask the right question, by all means, but learn to take the right action.