Study Desk

Then she said, "The glory has departed from Israel, for the Ark of God has been captured."

After the Philistines captured the Ark of God, they took it from the battleground at Ebenezer to the town of Ashdod.

They carried the Ark of God into the temple of Dagon and placed it beside an idol of Dagon.

When the people realized what was happening, they cried out, "We can't keep the Ark of the God of Israel here any longer! He is against us! We will all be destroyed along with Dagon, our god."

So they called together the rulers of the Philistine towns and asked, "What should we do with the Ark of the God of Israel?" The rulers discussed it and replied, "Move it to the town of Gath." So they moved the Ark of the God of Israel to Gath.

So they sent the Ark of God to the town of Ekron, but when the people of Ekron saw it coming they cried out, "They are bringing the Ark of the God of Israel here to kill us, too!"

The people summoned the Philistine rulers again and begged them, "Please send the Ark of the God of Israel back to its own country, or it will kill us all." For the deadly plague from God had already begun, and great fear was sweeping across the town.

"Send the Ark of the God of Israel back with a gift," they were told. "Send a guilt offering so the plague will stop. Then, if you are healed, you will know it was his hand that caused the plague."

Make these things to show honor to the God of Israel. Perhaps then he will stop afflicting you, your gods, and your land.

Don't be stubborn and rebellious as Pharaoh and the Egyptians were. By the time God was finished with them, they were eager to let Israel go.

"Who is able to stand in the presence of the Lord , this holy God?" they cried out. "Where can we send the Ark from here?"

"Don't stop pleading with the Lord our God to save us from the Philistines!" they begged Samuel.

But the servant said, "I've just thought of something! There is a man of God who lives here in this town. He is held in high honor by all the people because everything he says comes true. Let's go find him. Perhaps he can tell us which way to go."

"Well," the servant said, "I have one small silver piece. We can at least offer it to the man of God and see what happens!"

(In those days if people wanted a message from God, they would say, "Let's go and ask the seer," for prophets used to be called seers.)

"All right," Saul agreed, "let's try it!" So they started into the town where the man of God lived.

When they reached the edge of town, Samuel told Saul to send his servant on ahead. After the servant was gone, Samuel said, "Stay here, for I have received a special message for you from God."

"When you get to the oak of Tabor, you will see three men coming toward you who are on their way to worship God at Bethel. One will be bringing three young goats, another will have three loaves of bread, and the third will be carrying a wineskin full of wine.

"When you arrive at Gibeah of God, where the garrison of the Philistines is located, you will meet a band of prophets coming down from the place of worship. They will be playing a harp, a tambourine, a flute, and a lyre, and they will be prophesying.

After these signs take place, do what must be done, for God is with you.