Returning to the Lord

1 Samuel 4 begins “And the word of Samuel came to all Israel”. But before the word of Samuel began to bear fruit, the nation had to be humbled. This was not accomplished when the Philistines defeated the army of Israel. Instead, an unholy people went to Shiloh, not in repentance, but to arrogantly remove the Ark of God, carried by unholy priests, into the battlefield. Their cry of confidence shook the earth and brought fear into the minds of the Philistines, who were aware of the history of the God of Israel and His powerful deliverance. But they took courage and defeated Israel again and took possession of the Ark of God.

1 Samuel 5 and 6 record first the judgment of God on the Philistines who took the Ark of God from Ebenezer to Ashdod and placed it in the house of Dagon. Dagon ended up broken before the ark of the Lord, and the Philistines suffered for their actions. The ark was returned to Beth Shemesh in a remarkable way (see 1 Samuel 6:10-12). But the people of Beth Shemesh also suffered judgment for looking into the ark. Finally, the men of Kirjath Jearim came and took the ark of the Lord, and brought it into the house of Abinadab, where Eleazar was consecrated to keep the Ark of the Lord. It remained there for twenty years. Although the people “lamented after the LORD” (1 Samuel 7:2), they continued in their idolatry.

Like a shepherd, Samuel led all the house of Israel back to their Saviour God. He told them, “If you return to the Lord with all your hearts, then put away the foreign gods and the Ashtoreths (images of Canaanite goddesses) from among you, and prepare your hearts for the Lord, and serve Him only; and He will deliver you from the hand of the Philistines.” The children of Israel obeyed and rid themselves of the Baals and the Ashtoreths and served the Lord only (1 Samuel 7:3-4).

Then with further shepherd care, Samuel gathers the nation, “Gather all Israel to Mizpah, and I will pray to the Lord for you” (v.5). The people gathered at Mizpah and did three things. First, they drew water and poured it out before the LORD, demonstrating their utter weakness. Then they disciplined themselves by fasting that day. Finally, they repented, “We have sinned against the Lord” (v.6). At Mizpah, Samuel, continues to tend the flock of Israel, wisely judging the people and setting them on paths of righteousness.

As Israel humbled themselves before God, the Philistines prepared to attack the them. We see the reality of the nation’s repentance and utter dependence upon God as they turn to one man, Samuel, with one request, “Do not cease to cry out to the Lord our God for us, that He may save us from the hand of the Philistines”.

After all the failure and suffering caused by a people who did that which was right in their own eyes, the scene is set for God to intervene in delivering power and grace to lead His people back to Himself. He began this intervention in the heart of one distressed woman of faith, Hannah, the mother of Samuel. In doing so, He shows how in the darkest days,

“The Lord is near to those who have a brokenheart, And saves such as have a contrite spirit” (Psalm 34:18).

These Scriptures have much to teach us today.