1Samuel:4

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* Verse 1-9 - Israel is smitten before the Philistines . Sin , the accursed thing , was in the camp , and gave their enemies all the advantage they could wish for . They own the hand of God in their trouble ; but , instead of submitting , they speak angrily , as not aware of any just provocation they had given him . The foolishness of man perverts his way , and then his heart frets against the Lord , Proverbs strkjv @19:3 ,. and finds fault with him . They supposed that they could oblige God to appear for them , by bringing the ark into their camp . Those who have gone back in the life of religion , sometimes discover great fondness for the outward observances of it , as if those would save them ; and as if the ark , God 's throne , in the camp , would bring them to heaven , though the world and the flesh are on the throne in the heart . mhcc @1Samuel:4:10 ,11 @ Verse 10 ,11 - The taking of the ark was a great judgment upon Israel , and a certain token of God 's displeasure . Let none think to shelter themselves from the wrath of God , under the cloak of outward profession . * Verse 12-18 - The defeat of the army was very grievous to Eli as a judge ; the tidings of the death of his two sons , to whom he had been so indulgent , and who , as he had reason to fear , died impenitent , touched him as a father ; yet there was a greater concern on his spirit . And when the messenger concluded his story with , "The ark of God is taken ," he is struck to the heart , and died immediately . A man may die miserably , yet not die eternally ; may come to an untimely end , yet the end be peace . * Verse 19-22 - The wife of Phinehas seems to have been a person of piety . Her dying regret was for the loss of the ark , and the departure of the glory from Israel . What is any earthly joy to her that feels herself dying ? No joy but that which is spiritual and divine , will stand in any stead then ; death is too serious a thing to admit the relish of any earthly joy . What is it to one that is lamenting the loss of the ark ? What pleasure can we take in our creature comforts and enjoyments , if we want God 's word and ordinances ; especially if we want the comfort of his gracious presence , and the light of his countenance ? If God go , the glory goes , and all good goes . Woe unto us if he depart ! But though the glory is withdrawn from one sinful nation , city , or village after another , yet it shall never depart altogether , but shines forth in one place when eclipsed in another . Henry ' _1__5 **** Matthew Henry 's Commentary **** _

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