SpringhillGNV's Presentation Group
Wednesday, February 11, 2026
  • 1 Samuel 4:1–11 KJV 1900
    1 And the word of Samuel came to all Israel. Now Israel went out against the Philistines to battle, and pitched beside Eben-ezer: and the Philistines pitched in Aphek. 2 And the Philistines put themselves in array against Israel: and when they joined battle, Israel was smitten before the Philistines: and they slew of the army in the field about four thousand men. 3 And when the people were come into the camp, the elders of Israel said, Wherefore hath the Lord smitten us to day before the Philistines? Let us fetch the ark of the covenant of the Lord out of Shiloh unto us, that, when it cometh among us, it may save us out of the hand of our enemies. 4 So the people sent to Shiloh, that they might bring from thence the ark of the covenant of the Lord of hosts, which dwelleth between the cherubims: and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were there with the ark of the covenant of God. 5 And when the ark of the covenant of the Lord came into the camp, all Israel shouted with a great shout, so that the earth rang again. 6 And when the Philistines heard the noise of the shout, they said, What meaneth the noise of this great shout in the camp of the Hebrews? And they understood that the ark of the Lord was come into the camp. 7 And the Philistines were afraid, for they said, God is come into the camp. And they said, Woe unto us! for there hath not been such a thing heretofore. 8 Woe unto us! who shall deliver us out of the hand of these mighty Gods? these are the Gods that smote the Egyptians with all the plagues in the wilderness. 9 Be strong, and quit yourselves like men, O ye Philistines, that ye be not servants unto the Hebrews, as they have been to you: quit yourselves like men, and fight. 10 And the Philistines fought, and Israel was smitten, and they fled every man into his tent: and there was a very great slaughter; for there fell of Israel thirty thousand footmen. 11 And the ark of God was taken; and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were slain.
    Main Idea: God’s call requires faith that obeys His voice, not form that imitates His presence. When we move without His direction or lean on symbols instead of the living Lord, our confidence becomes hollow, and our praise becomes noise. But when we listen to the Lord, lean on the Lord, and live by faith, God aligns our hearts with His will and strengthens us for every battle.
    Introduction: Faith is Greater Than Form (1 Samuel 4:1–11)
    Sometimes God lets us see the difference between looking spiritual and living surrendered. In 1 Samuel 4, Israel is in trouble, and they are facing the Philistines. They suffer a real loss, and the elders ask a religious question: “Wherefore hath the LORD smitten us today before the Philistines?” (1 Samuel 4:3a). But their next move shows their real problem. Instead of seeking God Himself, they reach for a spiritual object.
    They decide to bring the ark of the covenant from Shiloh into the camp, believing, “it may save us out of the hand of our enemies.” (1 Samuel 4:3b). The ark was holy, but it was not a substitute for the Lord. They wanted the symbol of God’s presence, but they did not pursue the God of the symbol. The camp erupts in a loud shout when the ark arrives, but sound is not the same as surrender, and excitement is not the same as obedience. (1 Samuel 4:5)
    This passage is a loving warning. God will not be treated like a tool or a lucky charm. He calls His people to trust Him, obey Him, and walk with Him. When you listen to the Lord in loss, lean on the Lord instead of landmarks, and live by faith when the battle is fierce, you will find that God is faithful to strengthen and guide you.

    I. Listen to the Lord in Loss (1 Samuel 4:1–3a)

    Israel went out to battle, but the passage does not record prayer, repentance, or seeking the Lord’s direction before they moved. The text simply says, “Israel went out against the Philistines to battle.” (1 Samuel 4:1). The result was painful: “Israel was smitten before the Philistines: and they slew…about four thousand men.” (1 Samuel 4:2). A loss like that gets your attention, and sometimes God uses loss to reveal what is missing in our walk.
    After the defeat, the elders asked, “Wherefore hath the LORD smitten us today before the Philistines?” (1 Samuel 4:3a). It sounds spiritual, but it stops short. They ask why God allowed it, but they do not ask what they need to confess, change, or surrender. Loss is not always punishment, but it is often an invitation: slow down, listen up, and let God realign your heart. God’s call is not just for moments of victory, it is for moments of correction too.
    Synopsis
    In 1 Samuel 4:1–3a, Israel experiences defeat and immediately turns the spotlight on God’s actions rather than their own condition. (1 Samuel 4:2–3a). Their loss becomes a moment where they should have listened for God’s direction and responded with humility. God can use setbacks to expose our need for dependence, repentance, and renewed obedience. (1 Samuel 4:3a).
    Pause and pray before you plan your next move, so loss becomes a listening moment instead of a rash reaction.(Psalm 46:10; Philippians 4:6–7; James 1:5; Proverbs 3:5–6; Jeremiah 33:3)
    Psalm 46:10 “10 Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.”
    Ask God to search your heart, because sometimes the Lord uses loss to expose what needs to change in you before He changes what is around you. (Lamentations 3:40; Psalm 139:23–24; 2 Corinthians 13:5; Proverbs 28:13; 1 John 1:9)
    Psalm 139:23–24 “23 Search me, O God, and know my heart: Try me, and know my thoughts: 24 And see if there be any wicked way in me, And lead me in the way everlasting.”
    Return to the Word and obey what God has already said, because guidance often comes through obedience, not just emotion. (Psalm 119:105; Joshua 1:8; James 1:22; John 14:15; 2 Timothy 3:16–17)
    Joshua 1:8 “8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.”
    Seek wise, godly counsel instead of isolated conclusions, because listening to God often includes listening to faithful voices He places around you. (Proverbs 11:14; Proverbs 15:22; Proverbs 19:20; Hebrews 13:17; Galatians 6:1–2)
    Proverbs 19:20 “20 Hear counsel, and receive instruction, That thou mayest be wise in thy latter end.”
    Wait on the Lord with trust and worship, because spiritual strength is rebuilt when you lean into God’s presence while you are still hurting. (Psalm 27:14; Isaiah 40:31; Psalm 62:8; 1 Peter 5:7; Hebrews 4:16)
    Psalm 62:8 “8 Trust in him at all times; ye people, Pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah.”

    II. Lean on the Lord, Not the Landmark (1 Samuel 4:3b–5)

    After the elders ask their question, they choose a shortcut: “Let us fetch the ark of the covenant of the LORD out of Shiloh unto us, that, when it cometh among us, it may save us.” (1 Samuel 4:3b). The ark was sacred. It was connected to God’s covenant and represented His presence among His people. But Israel treated it like a guarantee, almost like a spiritual weapon they could control. They sent for the symbol, but they did not seek the Sovereign.
    When the ark arrives, “all Israel shouted with a great shout, so that the earth rang again.” (1 Samuel 4:5). They got loud, but they did not get right. They celebrated the object instead of submitting to the God who gave it meaning. This is a real danger for believers today. You can rely on routines, traditions, Christian language, and religious emotion, yet still avoid obedience, repentance, and surrender. God is not impressed by our volume. He responds to our humility and faith.
    Synopsis
    In 1 Samuel 4:3b–5, Israel leans on a sacred object instead of the living Lord, believing the ark itself will save them. (1 Samuel 4:3b). Their confidence rises and their shout shakes the ground, but the shout is not proof of God’s approval. (1 Samuel 4:5). This section warns believers not to replace relationship with rituals, and not to treat God’s gifts as substitutes for God’s presence.
    1. Seek God’s presence, not just religious comforts. (Psalm 27:4; Psalm 63:1; Jeremiah 29:13; Matthew 6:33; James 4:8)
    Psalm 63:1 “1 O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: My soul thirsteth for thee, My flesh longeth for thee In a dry and thirsty land, where no water is;”
    2. Check whether your worship is rooted in surrender or habit. (Isaiah 29:13; John 4:23–24; Romans 12:1; Psalm 51:16–17; Amos 5:23–24)
    Psalm 51:16–17 “16 For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: Thou delightest not in burnt offering. 17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: A broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.”
    3. Do not trust “spiritual objects” or “spiritual vibes” to do what only God can do. (Jeremiah 7:4; Psalm 20:7; Proverbs 14:12; 2 Timothy 3:5; Colossians 2:23)
    2 Timothy 3:5 “5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.”
    4. Replace noise with obedience in one specific area this week. (James 1:22; John 14:15; 1 Samuel 15:22; Deuteronomy 28:1–2; Matthew 7:24)
    James 1:22 “22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.”
    5. Make prayer your first response, not your last resort. (Philippians 4:6–7; 1 Thessalonians 5:17; Psalm 34:17; Jeremiah 33:3; Hebrews 4:16)
    1 Thessalonians 5:17 “17 Pray without ceasing.”

    III. Live by Faith When the Battle is Fierce (1 Samuel 4:6–11)

    The Philistines heard Israel’s shout and became afraid, saying, “God is come into the camp.” (1 Samuel 4:7). They even remembered God’s power in Egypt and said, “Woe unto us!” (1 Samuel 4:8). But their fear did not make them surrender. It made them fight harder: “Be strong, and quit yourselves like men…lest ye be servants.” (1 Samuel 4:9). When the battle is fierce, the enemy does not always back down. Sometimes opposition intensifies when people think you are getting serious.
    Then the tragedy unfolds. “The Philistines fought, and Israel was smitten.” (1 Samuel 4:10). The loss is massive: “there fell…thirty thousand footmen.” (1 Samuel 4:10). The ark is taken, and Hophni and Phinehas die. (1 Samuel 4:11). The message is clear: faith cannot be faked. God will not be manipulated. When you live by faith, you do not rely on hype. You rely on God. And when God calls you to stand, you stand with obedience, humility, and trust in Him alone.
    In 1 Samuel 4:6–11, the enemy’s fear turns into fierce determination, and Israel’s false confidence collapses into devastating defeat. (1 Samuel 4:9–10). The ark is taken, and the consequences of spiritual corruption become visible. (1 Samuel 4:11). This section calls believers to real faith that endures pressure and refuses shortcuts, trusting God with steady obedience.
    1. Expect resistance, and do not interpret opposition as God’s absence. (1 Peter 5:8–9; John 16:33; 2 Timothy 3:12; James 1:2–4; Romans 8:31)
    1 Peter 5:8–9 “8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: 9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.”
    2. Fight spiritual battles with God’s strength, not your own. (Ephesians 6:10–11; Zechariah 4:6; Psalm 46:1; 2 Corinthians 12:9; Isaiah 41:10)
    Zechariah 4:6 “6 Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the Lord unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, Saith the Lord of hosts.”
    3. Practice steady obedience instead of emotional shortcuts. (Galatians 6:9; Hebrews 10:36; James 1:22; Luke 9:23; Matthew 24:13)
    Hebrews 10:36 “36 For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.”
    4. Keep your heart clean so your worship stays powerful. (Psalm 24:3–4; Psalm 51:10; 1 John 1:9; Proverbs 4:23; Matthew 5:8)
    Psalm 51:10 “10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; And renew a right spirit within me.”
    5. Hold tightly to God’s promises when the battle feels overwhelming. (Isaiah 26:3; Psalm 27:1; Philippians 4:13; Hebrews 13:5–6; Psalm 34:19)
    Isaiah 26:3 “3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on thee: Because he trusteth in thee.”
    Discussion Questions
    Where are you most tempted to “move forward” without first seeking God’s direction? (1 Samuel 4:1)
    When you experience loss, do you typically self-examine or simply ask God to explain it? (1 Samuel 4:3a)
    What “landmarks” or “forms” can believers rely on today that might replace real dependence on God? (1 Samuel 4:3b)
    What is the difference between loud worship and surrendered worship, according to this passage? (1 Samuel 4:5)
    What battle are you facing right now that requires steady faith instead of emotional hype? (1 Samuel 4:6–11)
    Closing Prayer
    Lord, help me to live with faith that is real, humble, and obedient. Teach me to listen to You in loss, to lean on You instead of substitutes, and to trust You when the battle is fierce. Cleanse my heart so my worship is in Spirit and in truth, and strengthen me to follow Your call with steady surrender. In Jesus’ name, amen.

      • 1 Samuel 4:1–11KJV1900

      • 1 Samuel 4:1–3aKJV1900

      • 1 Samuel 4:3b–5KJV1900

      • 1 Samuel 4:6–11KJV1900

SpringhillGNV's Presentation Group
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