"Sin Has Consequences" (1 Samuel 4)

Intro: Changing of the guard from the house of Eli to the house of Samuel

1 Samuel 3:19 “As Samuel grew up, the Lord was with him, and everything Samuel said proved to be reliable.”

Why? Because Samuel was faithful

Samuel was obedient to God, while Eli and his sons rebelled against God

Samuel’s first Prophecy was against the house of Eli (Samuel was sacred to tell Eli about the vision, yet he didn’t hold back)

The reason for judgement: because they blaspheme God and Eli did not discipline them

Blaspheme is to speak with contempt about God which can be a verbal or written reproach of God’s name, character, work, or attributes

1. (V1-5) Israel defeated by the Philistines

A) (V3) Why did the Lord allow Israel to be defeated?

They did not bring it to the Lord in prayer and never sought Him, yet they expected God to be with them

ARE YOU GULITY OF THE SAME TYPE OF LIVING? (You live whatever way you want, yet you expect the Lord to bless your direction?

Maybe you have exchanged one friend for another, the godly for the ungodly

Did you pray about it or decided on your own because one appeals to the flesh and the other does not

Proverbs 3:5–6 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.”

Matthew 6:33 “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.”

When you are being disobedient, do your parents rush to bless you with things? Or do they withhold the blessings from you, until you begin to do what is right?

B) The Israelites trusted in the ark, instead of God

The significance of the Ark:

God made a covenant (a conditional covenant) with the children of Israel through His servant Moses. He promised good to them and their children for generations if they obeyed Him and His laws; but He always warned of despair, punishment, and dispersion if they were to disobey. As a sign of His covenant He had the Israelites make a box according to His own design, in which to place the stone tablets containing the Ten Commandments. This box, or chest, was called an “ark” and was made of acacia wood overlaid with gold. (Got questions.com)

It may save us: The elders rightly sensed they needed God’s help to win the battle. But they were wrong in the way they sought help. Instead of humbly repenting and seeking God, they turned to methods that God never approved. They looked at the Ark as a good luck charm. Instead of looking to the Lord for victory, they looked to the Ark and were defeated. (Enduring Word.com)

2. (V6-11) The Philistines Feared God

A) They remembered the great victories of God, as He came to the defense of Israel

The enemy had more reverent fear of God than than the Israelites

B) The Ark of God was captured

C) Samuels prophecy was fulfilled