1 Samuel 4:12-22
Their plans have gone far astray. The presence of the ark in the midst of a people in such a bad state does not prevent disaster. The ark is taken (see Psalms 78:56-64). What shame it is for a regiment when the enemy takes its standard – all the more so for Israel when it is the throne of their God. How can they celebrate the day of atonement (Leviticus 16:14-15) without the holy mercy-seat where the blood had to be placed? But also how can they do it without the descendants of Aaron to fulfil the ordinances, for, at the same time, the priesthood came to an end. Hophni and Phinehas were both killed.
Eli would perhaps have had some means of averting the divine punishment on Israel. According to Deuteronomy 21:18-21, he should have brought his sons before the people to be stoned to death because of their bad conduct. But he had not had the courage to do that. So now, not only Hophni and Phinehas have perished, but 34,000 men have died with them. And the holy ark, the glory of Israel, has gone away from them. This last piece of news is what killed the old man. The ark was dearer to his heart than his family and it is the same with his daughter-in-law. In calling her newborn son, Ichabod, she is pronouncing the funeral oration for her people.