1. 1 Samuel 4:1–22 (ESV)
  2. Sermon suggestions

Sermon goal for 1 Samuel 4

1 Samuel 4:1–22 (ESV)

1 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.

Your sermon must explain how the people of Israel sought to manipulate the Lord and why the Lord allowed his glory, his special presence, to depart from Israel. You must consider how the Lord’s actions in 1 Samuel 4:1–22 are a prelude to what the Lord Jesus Christ would do for God’s people. Finally, in terms of application, you must consider some of the different ways in which we try to manipulate God today.