1 Samuel 3 and 4

Silence from the throne

1 Samuel 3 says, “And word from the LORD was rare in those days, visions were infrequent.”

Why?  Why was there no word from the LORD?  The answer: God was not silent, man did not hear.  Man was able to “do his own thing.”  Evidence of this fact is found in the battle with the Philistines in chapter 4.  The Israelites battled the Philistines and lost.  Now, instead of going to the LORD for direction, they simply relied on what they had done before.  They went and retrieved the Ark of the Covenant form Shiloh and brought it into camp.  But of course, God had not instructed them to do any of this.  The next day, the Israelites were soundly defeated in battle.  The glory of the LORD had departed from the camp. 

Lesson #1:  God desires to speak, if we will listen.

Lesson #2:  Don’t rely upon yesterday’s victories for today’s battles.

Lesson #3:  No matter who you are, God’s glory will leave if you take Him for granted.