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1 Samuel 4 · Grade 3

The Glory Departed

Name Date

Read the Story

Israel fought the Philistines and lost about four thousand men. The elders asked why the Lord had let them be defeated. They decided to bring the ark of the covenant from Shiloh, thinking it would save them. Eli's sons came with it.

When the ark came into the camp, Israel shouted so loudly the earth rang. The Philistines were afraid, because they said God had come into the camp. Still, they fought, and Israel was defeated. The ark was taken, and Hophni and Phinehas were killed.

A man from Benjamin ran to Shiloh with torn clothes. Eli, who was ninety-eight and blind, was waiting by the road. When he heard the ark was captured, he fell backward and died. His daughter-in-law named her newborn son Ichabod, because the glory had departed from Israel.

Memory Verse

“She named the child Ichabod, saying, “The glory has departed from Israel!” because God’s ark was taken, and because of her father-in-law and her husband.”

1 Samuel 4:21 (WEB)

Answer the Questions

  1. Why did the elders bring the ark?

  2. Why were the Philistines afraid?

  3. Who was killed in the battle?

  4. How old was Eli?

  5. Why was the baby named Ichabod?

A Sad Day for Israel

Write what happened in each box.

1
2
3
4

Prayer

Dear God, thank You for being with me always. Help me . Amen.

Take It Home

For families: talk about these together.

  • What did the name Ichabod mean?
  • What should Israel have done after the first battle?

Scripture: World English Bible, public domain, eBible.org. © 2026 The Daily Rooted. Free to print and copy for church and home use; not for resale. Original line art.