Discuss 1 Samuel 4

1 Kings 9:16 gives the answer; as to how they obtained the land; the king of Egypt conquered it and gave it as a present to his daughter; Solomon's wife. Verses 20 and 21 show how they were bondservants instead. In the case of the Gibeonites; Israel had to protect them because they didn't seek God first and made a covenant with them.

There may be other scriptures indicating specifics here; my point is that there were exceptions; even in the lineage of David leading to Christ (such as Ruth; Rahab and other descendants from Gentile origin.) There were rules as to how many generations had to pass before Temple worship; etc. but there was always a contingency of those who would follow the God of Israel (such as the multitude in the Exodus).

I would also say that God devoted destruction to the descendants of Nephilim (which were wiped out in the time of David with the last remaining one: Goliath and earlier his 4 brothers). This was a big reason for what seems like wholesale cruel destruction of everyone; namely they were not fully human. The nations which would cause their own children to be sacrificed to idols were also the recipients of God's wrath; such as the Amorites in Genesis 15:16. There was a set time for destruction when iniquity is at the full; and such was the case with Nineveh; but was granted a reprieve after repentance for a couple hundred years or so; eventually fulfilled as the book of Nahum explained.

In some ways as well; the Caananites served as an object lesson to Israel. ( 1 Samuel 4:3-5 and later verses show how the fear of the Lord came on the Caananites and they made sacrifice.) Whether they repented after being plagued by God; or healed of the ailments is unclear; but they at least knew what they had to do and that they were under God's wrath and displeasure.

The Caananites were under a curse in general since Genesis 9 (the details have been debated). Judges 2:21-23 gives a further clue; disobedience of Israel stopped it.

Michelle,

This is what I learned about 1 Corinthians 16:13. It says, "quit you like men." "And like a man, I've quit several times!" Just kidding, that is not what it means. It's literally one Greek word that means be a man. Moreover, it is associated with courage! Remember what God told Joshua in Joshua 1:8-11? Be of courage Joshua for I am with you wherever you go. So it's not a human courage. It's a spiritual trust that no matter what, we can face anything in life because Christ is there.

Quit yourselves like men doesn't mean act macho and be ready to fight; that's why "be strong/courageous/etc. is specified ALONGSIDE it. Sometimes the wise and most courageous thing a man can do is stand down and avoid conflict. God calls on us to be humble and gentle as well. Maybe "quit ye like men" simply means "Act like men/humans/civilized", etc. Because it warlording were in every man's inherent nature, then those other traits wouldn't have needed to be clarified.

Hi Mary.

I agree with Richard and this may also help.

The term is also used to describe a Hebrew custom which indicated deep sorrow. Upon the death of a relative or important personage, or when there was a great calamity, it was customary for the Hebrews to tear their garments. Reuben rent his clothes when he found that Joseph had been taken from the pit ( Genesis 37:29). The sons of Jacob rent their clothes when the cup was found in Benjamin's sack ( Genesis 44:13). A messenger came to Eli with his clothes rent to tell of the taking of the ark of God and of the death of his two sons ( 1 Samuel 4:12). David rent his garments when he heard that Absalom had slain his brothers ( 2 Samuel 13:31). See also 2 Samuel 15:32; 2 Kings 18:37; Isaiah 36:22; Jeremiah 41:5. Rending of clothes was also an expression of indignation. The high priest rent his garment when Jesus spoke what he thought was blasphemy ( Matthew 26:65).

God bless.

SPINNZ The reason that Eli didn't teach his sons is because they were men of belial lawless and uninstructible, also they knew not the lord 1 Samuel 2:12. These men throughout Gods word are useless and were spiritually repulsive and performed all types of ungodly acts. Eventually they His sons were slain when the ark of the covenant was taken by the Philistines 1 Samuel 4:11.

Hi mishael ,i have to be honest ive never found the books of samuel ,kings and chronicles tedious ,they exhibit every facet of human nature ,at its worst and its best and we get to see Gods work through a very long lense as He puts all the pieces together to bring us to Jesus ,i think sometimes we have to study it very closely to dig up the gems but they are there ,we are told that sauls daughter who married david had no children to him because she mocked his dancing ,at the end of his reign david very subtily made sure saul had no male heirs to challenge solomon ,if david had had children with sauls daughter how would that have panned out ? It doesnt bear thinking about ,oh im wrong ! It does !

Eric,

Good for you, reading carefully and asking questions.

Sometimes a great number of people pay dearly for the sin of one or a few. Look what happened when Achan sinned at Jericho and several thousand died at Ai because of Achan.

Keep in mind, this time is under the Old Covenant and we are under the New Covenant. Most of the Old Testament was written TO the people of Israel. However it was written FOR us.

"Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come." 1Co 10:11

Yes, the history of Israel is a cycle repeated many times over:

Israel serves The LORD,

Israel falls into sin and idolatry,

Israel is enslaved,

Israel cries out to The LORD,

God raises up a deliverer,

Israel is delivered.

Look for it as you read.

There is a sort of HARMONY amongst the books of Samuel, Chronicles and Kings.

It's very tedious, but read through all 3 ( underline or take notes); one after another.

You'll see where more information to a certain event, adds more information from the other books.

Bibles that have a reference column in the CENTER of each page: you'll see tiny alphabet letters to match it to a center column reference to another passage in the Bible. Those help explain events.

I find that the King James Bibles are most likely to have that kind of referencing system.

The Book of Genesis sort of goes forward and jumps backward. Use of the reference Bibles helps to keep you straight. I don't ask the Lord why that is. I just pay attention more to where it's going. I love mysteries! This keeps me on my toes.

I had skipped this chapter by accident. I thought God or Christ said Eli and his household will pay for their sin and not the 34,000 men who died in battle. Sounds like one chapter talks about Israel doing evil then the other back to God's grace. This is hard to follow sometimes.

The sin of compromise, makes one just as guilty as the perpetrators of sin. It caused the presence of God to depart, even before the ark of God, was taken by the Philistines. Eli seemed only to fear for the ark, and lost the reverential fear for the God of the ark. This possibly was the cause of Eli's sin of compromise. So many times we want God's presence and not want to do His will.

Day 74 of Bible Reading in a Year. These last 4 chapters are so revealing about human nature. Our desires, priorities, feelings, ego, drive etc. Praise God for His mercy and patience in my life. May Jesus be glorified.

A Nation with NO HEART for the LORD, or to at all be His People; who have only ever been ANTI-Christ and ANTI-faith and ANTI-obedience since the Lord brought them out of the bondage and oppression of Egypt; NOW thinks to get their "Secret Weapon" of God to fight for them? Astonishing presumption and ignorance! And so, what happens? God is not fooled by a hypocritical show, and fornicating priests!

In verse 11 we see that the 2 wicked sons of Eli were killed in the battle. They did not have God's spirit.

I think he does talk to his children but some r so busy that they just don't hear him.He speaks in a quiet soft voice u have to really listen to hear him.Slow down be quiet and u will hear him.

Bruce:when I was a little girl I was in 4th grade,my stomach hurt terribly and it was an on going pain I woke up everyday to go to school it was so hard to consintrate,I would lay by the airvent with a sheet and make a buble and I heard in my head same voice as 4yrs ago say go outside,I said to myself I've been outside every day,but I did what it said and the moment I was out,it went away:),Amen..

April: Our Lord will talk to His Children (maybe not all?) The first time I heard His Voice,He said,don't get Married. I thought maybe it's me talking to myself? 5 hrs. Later I'm Married. A year later,He talked to me again,that Voice? I know that Voice! Yes,it is calm,not loud,soft,you just know! Most of the time it's 2-5 words. To Hear His Voice and Feel His presence! The Marriage was from Hell.

Daily tribulations=physical afflictions,(illness,hardship,mourning loss,trials and testings) things all men face, for the believer we have these things and more, plus; daily fighting "the flesh" etc. Is not the same as The Great Tribulation that is yet to come,that the world has never seen before, and will never see again when it is over. We are not living in "The Great Tribulation" at this time.

Bruce:I was more or less speaking of the Tribulation most feel we're in,REVELATIONS,I know many have said that time has been many times,this WILL sound crazy but about 4 yrs ago I was in the kitchen having a convo in my head when I heard YOUR RUNNING OUT OF TIME speak over my thoughts it was very calm but stern,I was like what do you mean?,am I going to die or something,I feel something is coming.

April: We are in The Tribulation.It started a few Thousand yrs back. In The World ye shall have Tribulation: But be of good cheer; I have overcome The World. John 16:33/--- That we must through much Tribulation Enter into The Kingdom of God. Acts 14:22. I never carry a Bible. I just talk to whoever listens. They never ask to see a Bible. Always some in my car. Some are so glad I talked to Them.

So this got me to thinking,I was feeling if I could carry the BIBLE during TRIBULATION 2 read,then I could carry GODS word but it helped me to realize,that GOD is with me always,even if I can't remeber the exact scriptures,I can remeber the meaning it put within my heart when I read them and carry that with me and try and do my best at fufiling them,and turn to GOD not just the BIBLE,HE ISthe WORD

For verse 8, the Philistines said that the gods of Israel are mighty. We only have one god and he has helped his people through so many things that it is countless! Our God is so good! <3

may God Deliver His Church From ANY Empty Noise. We Need Correct Power Over God 's Enemies

It simply pays for us to not put our trust in objects, but to put our trust only in god

I first heard this in Vietnam in 1968 and it has been with me. I believe, as a veteran, we are not always welcome. We stood, were strong, and defeated our foes. As allowed by our leaders. Praise our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Eli new the condition of the church then , Isreal and his children hv sinned and cant pretend abt it but he compromised and thinks it those not matter but mattered at the end .lets fear GOD .

Verse 10 GOD gives Israel 's enemy victory over them, because of their sins. And, in the next CH 5 verse 6, you see where GOD punishes their enemy with emerods , because of their sins GOD is not a respecter of persons.

A coward dies many times before his actual death. 1John 4.18 says that fear has torment. We don 't have to be afraid of anything or anyone as far as God is with us.

The Israelites put their faith and trust in the ark of the covenant and not God Himself. Unless we are connected to God through His son Jesus Christ and our relationship with Him is good, any other weapon that we may use to fight the devil will not shield us from destruction

God's words on sin and sinners stand very firm and he (GOD) stand by words to do as He had sai

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@Mary

Phinehas' wife named her son Ichabod. Her name was not mentioned there (1-Samuel 4:19-21).