Reading the events of these chapters in the book of 1 Samuel reminds me of Peter’s denial of Jesus Christ. Peter, as you recall, who was ready to fight to the death when the Roman soldiers captured Jesus, lost everything by denying he even knew Jesus before the crucifixion. Peter had been to the mountain top with Jesus and beheld the glory of his transfiguration. But he fell into a deep valley of sorrow until Jesus sought him after his resurrection and restored Peter to fellowship with the Lord. 

In our Scripture reading today, another example of losing and regaining God’s glory is described. The ark, which is God’s presence on earth, is foolishly brought into the Israelite camp and their army is massively defeated by the Philistines. The ark is captured and taken away, Eli’s sons are killed, and upon hearing the news, Eli keels over and dies. His daughter-in-law gives premature birth to a son and names him, appropriately, Ichabod … meaning “God’s glory departed,” or “The glory is gone.” But the Philistines were still in awe of God and agreed to return the ark, afraid to keep it and incur God’s anger.

What a beautiful picture of how sin can come between us and God, and our fellowship broken, only to be restored when we repent and seek him again. The awesome truth is that “nothing can ever separate us from the love of God” (Rom. 8:38–39). 

Wonderful grace of Jesus, reaching to all the lost; by it I have been pardoned, saved to the uttermost!

Rev. Harold Hazen