Getting Back on Track

1 Samuel 4:1-11
Darrin Mariott, Lead Pastor

Big Idea: When we have wandered from God’s path, He makes a way for us to get back on track through Christ.
1 Samuel 4:1-11
1 And the word of Samuel came to all Israel.Now Israel went out to battle against the Philistines. They encamped at Ebenezer, and the Philistines encamped at Aphek. 2 The Philistines drew up in line against Israel, and when the battle spread, Israel was defeated before the Philistines, who killed about four thousand men on the field of battle. 3 And when the people came to the camp, the elders of Israel said, “Why has the Lord defeated us today before the Philistines? Let us bring the ark of the covenant of the Lord here from Shiloh, that it may come among us and save us from the power of our enemies.” 4 So the people sent to Shiloh and brought from there the ark of the covenant of the Lord of hosts, who is enthroned on the cherubim. And the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were there with the ark of the covenant of God. 5 As soon as the ark of the covenant of the Lord came into the camp, all Israel gave a mighty shout, so that the earth resounded. 6 And when the Philistines heard the noise of the shouting, they said, “What does this great shouting in the camp of the Hebrews mean?” And when they learned that the ark of the Lord had come to the camp, 7 the Philistines were afraid, for they said, “A god has come into the camp.” And they said, “Woe to us! For nothing like this has happened before. 8 Woe to us! Who can deliver us from the power of these mighty gods? These are the gods who struck the Egyptians with every sort of plague in the wilderness. 9 Take courage, and be men, O Philistines, lest you become slaves to the Hebrews as they have been to you; be men and fight.” 10 So the Philistines fought, and Israel was defeated, and they fled, every man to his home. And there was a very great slaughter, for thirty thousand foot soldiers of Israel fell. 11 And the ark of God was captured, and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, died.

I. Misdiagnosing the Problem (vv. 1-4)

A. In chapters 4 through 7, we see the action turn from Samuel to the “Ark Narrative”. This section reveals the low spiritual condition of Israel as they engage the Philistines in battle and lose badly. It’s clear that Israel has lost their way and needs godly spiritual leadership.

B. Israel’s elders were correct that their defeat had more to do with God’s displeasure (v. 3) than military might or strategy. But they failed to discern:

1. They had departed from God’s ways (cf. 1 Sam. 2:12, 17).
1 Samuel 2:12,17
12 Now the sons of Eli were worthless men. They did not know the Lord.
17 Thus the sin of the young men was very great in the sight of the Lord, for the men treated the offering of the Lord with contempt.

2. They had lost their distinctiveness as God’s people (cf. Lev. 20:22-26).
Leviticus 20:22-26
22 “You shall therefore keep all my statutes and all my rules and do them, that the land where I am bringing you to live may not vomit you out. 23 And you shall not walk in the customs of the nation that I am driving out before you, for they did all these things, and therefore I detested them. 24 But I have said to you, ‘You shall inherit their land, and I will give it to you to possess, a land flowing with milk and honey.’ I am the Lord your God, who has separated you from the peoples. 25 You shall therefore separate the clean beast from the unclean, and the unclean bird from the clean. You shall not make yourselves detestable by beast or by bird or by anything with which the ground crawls, which I have set apart for you to hold unclean. 26 You shall be holy to me, for I the Lord am holy and have separated you from the peoples, that you should be mine.

3. They were not trusting in the Lord (vv. 3-4).

C. We all can falter and stumble on occasion and what is needed in these times is not deflection, but honest reflection.

II. Misdiagnosing the Solution (v. 3-11)

A. Because Israel misdiagnosed the problem, they also misdiagnose the solution. Rather than focus on the spiritual reasons for their defeat, the Israelites turn to superstition:

1. By adopting the cultural practices of surrounding nations (vv. 5-9, cf. 2 Sam. 5:17-21).
2 Samuel 5:17-21
17 When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over Israel, all the Philistines went up to search for David. But David heard of it and went down to the stronghold. 18 Now the Philistines had come and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim. 19 And David inquired of the Lord, “Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will you give them into my hand?” And the Lord said to David, “Go up, for I will certainly give the Philistines into your hand.” 20 And David came to Baal-perazim, and David defeated them there. And he said, “The Lord has broken through my enemies before me like a breaking flood.” Therefore the name of that place is called Baal-perazim. 21 And the Philistines left their idols there, and David and his men carried them away.

2. By using the Ark as a “lucky charm” rather than trusting in the Lord and His might (cf. Ps. 20:7).
Psalm 20:7
7 Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.

B. What really needed to happen was a time of national reflection and repentance. But this did not happen, and the results are predictable. How do we get back on track:

1. Acknowledge the issue (cf. Ps. 32:1-5).
Psalm 32:1-5
1 Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven,whose sin is covered. 2 Blessed is the man against whom the Lord counts no iniquity,and in whose spirit there is no deceit. 3 For when I kept silent, my bones wasted awaythrough my groaning all day long. 4 For day and night your hand was heavy upon me;my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer. Selah 5 I acknowledged my sin to you,and I did not cover my iniquity;I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,”and you forgave the iniquity of my sin. Selah

2. Honest self-examination.

3. Repentance and confession (cf. Acts 3:19-21).
Acts 3:19-21
19 Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, 20 that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus, 21 whom heaven must receive until the time for restoring all the things about which God spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets long ago.
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4. Worship the Lord.
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