And the word of Samuel came to all Israel.
Now Israel went out to battle against the Philistines. They encamped at Ebenezer, and the Philistines encamped at Aphek. The Philistines drew up in line against Israel, and when the battle spread, Israel was defeated before the Philistines, who killed about four thousand men on the field of battle. And when the people came to the camp, the elders of Israel said, “Why has the Lord defeated us today before the Philistines? Let us bring the ark of the covenant of the Lord here from Shiloh, that it may come among us and save us from the power of our enemies.”
1 Samuel 4:1–3
Dale Ralph Davis states, “Our writer draws a heavy line across the page after chapter 3.” In chapters 4–6 our focus sifts dramatically.
“And the word of Samuel came to all Israel” (v. 1a). These words belong to the narrative of chapter 3. Draw the line after them. This is one of those glaring blunders that remind you that the chapter divisions you have in your Bible are nothing more than uninspired addresses to help you find your place.
Though these words belong to the narrative of chapter 3, they naturally flow into chapter 4, and yet, they make that line all the more bold. “And the word of Samuel came to all Israel. Now Israel went out to battle against the Philistines.” There is a line dividing these narratives, but there is also a line connecting them. “Israel” connects them. “Samuel” marks part of the division. Samuel will not be mentioned again until 7:3.
All our focus, and much of our hope and anticipation have been tied to this boy now turned prophet, and then, having become a prophet, he disappears for three chapters. The Word has come to all Israel, but now, Samuel is mysteriously absent. Whatever actions Israel is about to take, you know this, they are not guided by the Word of the Lord through His prophet Samuel. Israel has retrogressed. Before Samuel, the “word of God was rare in those days; there was no frequent vision” (3:1). Samuel is absent. They are again doing what is right in their own eyes.
When the word of God comes to Israel through Samuel, it is not then because they have their act together. It is not because they have been faithful. It is because God is faithful. And while His faithfulness to His covenant does mean grace, it first means judgment. But grace is enveloped in judgment.
Psalm 78:67–72 (ESV)
He rejected the tent of Joseph;
he did not choose the tribe of Ephraim,
but he chose the tribe of Judah,
Mount Zion, which he loves.
He built his sanctuary like the high heavens,
like the earth, which he has founded forever.
He chose David his servant
and took him from the sheepfolds;
from following the nursing ewes he brought him
to shepherd Jacob his people,
Israel his inheritance.
With upright heart he shepherded them
and guided them with his skillful hand.
—Psalm 78:67–72
There is a line dividing God’s grace and His judgment, but there is also a line connecting them. Enveloped within this judgment is grace. Shilo is destroyed that Jerusalem might be built. Ephraim is rejected that Judah might be chosen. The ark is captured that it might come to rest in the temple. A wicked priesthood falls that the Davidic dynasty might be established. Here, there is not only reason to fear the judgement of Yahweh, but hope for His grace.
At the cross we see best that when God draws a line of judgement, He also draws a line of grace. A line was drawn in judgment, as the Man hung forsaken on the cross. A line was drawn in grace, reconciling God and man.
No Other Boast 