Topical Bible: Eli: His Solicitude for the Ark

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Eli, a significant figure in the history of Israel, served as the high priest and judge of Israel during a tumultuous period marked by spiritual decline and external threats. His life and ministry are primarily recorded in the First Book of Samuel. Eli's deep concern for the Ark of the Covenant, a sacred symbol of God's presence among His people, is a notable aspect of his account.

The Ark of the Covenant, housed in the tabernacle at Shiloh during Eli's tenure, was central to Israel's worship and identity. It represented God's covenant with Israel and His divine presence. Eli's solicitude for the Ark is most poignantly illustrated during the events leading up to and following the Battle of Aphek against the Philistines.

In 1 Samuel 4, the Israelites, facing defeat at the hands of the Philistines, decided to bring the Ark from Shiloh to the battlefield, hoping it would ensure victory. Eli, by this time an elderly and frail man, was deeply troubled by this decision. His anxiety was not merely for the outcome of the battle but for the fate of the Ark itself. The text states, "Eli was sitting on his seat by the road watching, for his heart trembled for the ark of God" (1 Samuel 4:13). This verse underscores Eli's profound concern for the Ark, reflecting his understanding of its sacredness and the potential consequences of its misuse.

Eli's fears were realized when a messenger brought news of Israel's defeat, the death of his sons Hophni and Phinehas, and the capture of the Ark by the Philistines. Upon hearing that the Ark had been taken, Eli fell backward from his seat, broke his neck, and died (1 Samuel 4:18). His death marked the end of an era and highlighted the gravity of the Ark's capture.

Eli's solicitude for the Ark, despite his personal failings and the corruption of his sons, reveals his deep reverence for God and the sacred objects associated with His worship. His life serves as a reminder of the importance of honoring God's presence and the dire consequences of neglecting spiritual responsibilities.

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1 Samuel 4:11-18
And the ark of God was taken; and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were slain.
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That the Ruler Should Be, through Humility, a Companion of Good ...
... For Eli, because, overcome by false affection, he would not ... state of righteousness
by the vigour of pastoral solicitude. ... and oil are applied to his wounds; the ...
/.../leo/writings of leo the great/chapter vi that the ruler.htm

An Analysis of Augustin's Writings against the Donatists.
... Saul, Samuel with the sons of Eli, Christ with ... Solicitude over the opposition is
expressed; some seem disposed ... not stolen, so neither are His members outside ...
/.../chapter ii name analysis of.htm

The Saints' Privilege and Profit;
... O my prayers, mount up, stay not at the ark of the ... that the light came that struck
Paul off his horse, when ... come, and cry there, as Samuel did to Eli, 'Here am ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the saints privilege and profit.htm

Introduction to Oration ii.
... 2669] and to unite them to Him, and make them His own peculiar ... worthily detail these
matters, the daily pressure, [2672] the individual solicitude, the care of ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/introduction to oration ii.htm