Day 099- The Bible Recap

Today's reading is I Samuel 4-8. Here's what stood out to me:

The Israelites went up against the Philistines and were defeated, as 4,000 men perished. On their own, they decided to bring the Ark of the Covenant with them to take on the Philistines again...as if it were a lucky charm. They did not ask the LORD if they should go to war or if they could bring the ark. They determined it was right in their own eyes. This time 30,000 men died, and the ark was captured. As despair over the captured ark spread, Eli fell over backward and died.

Each city where the ark was brought to the LORD rained down affliction after affliction, including the destruction of Dagon, a popular god of the area. To me, this just further proved/proves that God doesn't need people to do His work. Rather, He chooses to use us to do His work. His holiness would/will not be mocked!

After seven months of torture due to the ark being in their presence, the Philistines were determined to return it to Israel. Verse 6:5 even noted that they had to give the glory to the God of Israel. So much so that they even gave a guilt offering along with the ark. This is astonishing to me. The LORD's glory will not be hidden, even amongst blasphemers and unbelievers.

The reunion of the ark caused the Israelites to lament after the LORD. Samuel told them to return to the LORD with their whole hearts, and place no other gods before Him. The people agreed and asked Samuel to go before the LORD to help them defeat the Philistines. The LORD granted their request. Changed hearts and a merciful God led to their victory.

Samuel grew older, and his sons whom he wanted to become judges were corrupt. The people asked for a king, which displeased Samuel because he felt the LORD should be their only King. The LORD told Samuel to warn the people that they did not know what they were asking for. 

In asking for a king, they would become slaves and have their land, crops, livestock, and children taken from them. The LORD warned them through Samuel that if their wish was granted and they then cried out in despair, He would not answer them. The Israelites didn't heed the warning and again chose what was right in their own eyes.