1 Samuel 4:19–22 KJV 1900

And his daughter in law, Phinehas’ wife, was with child, near to be delivered: and when she heard the tidings that the ark of God was taken, and that her father in law and her husband were dead, she bowed herself and travailed; for her pains came upon her. And about the time of her death the women that stood by her said unto her, Fear not; for thou hast born a son. But she answered not, neither did she regard it. And she named the child I-chabod, saying, The glory is departed from Israel: because the ark of God was taken, and because of her father in law and her husband. And she said, The glory is departed from Israel: for the ark of God is taken.

ARE YOU TAKING GOD FOR GRANTED?

Introduction:

The first problem:

Judges 21:24-25 (KJV) 24  And the children of Israel departed thence at that time, every man to his tribe and to his family, and they went out from thence every man to his inheritance. 25  In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes.

1. People took righteousness granted.

1 Samuel 3:2–3 KJV 1900

And it came to pass at that time, when Eli was laid down in his place, and his eyes began to wax dim, that he could not see; And ere the lamp of God went out in the temple of the Lord, where the ark of God was, and Samuel was laid down to sleep;

2. People to the God’s guidance for granted.

1 Samuel 4:5 KJV 1900

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.

3. The people took for granted God’s present.

1 Samuel 4:4 KJV 1900

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.

4. People became over familiar with playing church.

Conclusion:

Isreal lost the battle.

The ark of the covenant was taken.

The glory departed.