1 Samuel 4-5 should be considered one of the lowest points in Israel’s history. The nation is morally corrupt and spiritually bankrupt. The priestly house of Eli is to be judged as they have used their position of authority for their own ends rather than honour God. Israel uses the ark of the covenant as a lucky charm in battle against the Philistines and are defeated. Worse still, the ark, the very symbol of God dwelling amongst his people is captured and taken into Philistine territory. As news reaches Eli’s daughter-in-law, she gives birth to Ichabod meaning ‘where is the glory?’ Her reasoning is:
“The glory has departed from Israel”
This phrase could be translated “the glory has gone into exile”. It was a dark day and yet even here we have a hint of what God would one day do for his people.
The faithful Jew would read this account and have in mind passages in Leviticus and Deuteronomy which speak of the blessing God would bring the land if they were obedient and the curses should they worship foreign gods. In Leviticus 26 we read:
“I will set my face against you so that you will be defeated by your enemies” v17
“I will scatter you among the nations” v33
Israel’s defeat would not have been a surprise. This is what God had promised if they were unfaithful. The surprise is that the Israelites do not go into exile. The ark of the covenant, the Lord himself, goes into exile in Philistine territory. God himself is experiencing the curse they should have done. What a picture of what Christ does for us. Praise God, he experienced the curse of being forsaken by his Father on the tree that, despite our sin, we can go free.