1 Samuel 4 · Grade 5
Ichabod
Read and Think
Defeated by the Philistines near Ebenezer, Israel's elders asked why the Lord had struck them, but they did not wait for an answer. They brought the ark of the covenant of the Lord of Armies, who sits above the cherubim, into the camp. They treated the symbol of God's presence as a tool to control God and force a victory.
The plan seemed to work at first. Israel's shout made the earth resound, and the Philistines feared the God who had struck the Egyptians. But the Philistines rallied, and Israel was defeated with heavy losses. The ark was captured, and Hophni and Phinehas died on one day, fulfilling the sign given to Eli in 2:34.
News reached Shiloh by a runner with torn clothes and dust on his head. Eli, ninety-eight years old and blind, fell backward from his seat and died when he heard the ark was taken. Phinehas' wife gave birth and, near death, named her son Ichabod, saying, The glory has departed from Israel. The loss of the ark felt like the loss of God's presence, and Israel had to learn that God cannot be used or managed.
Show What You Know
How did Israel treat the ark?
Which sign in chapter 2 was fulfilled?
What did Eli do when he heard the ark was taken?
What lesson did Israel have to learn?
Crossword
Across
- The old priest who sat by the road (4:13)
- The Philistines took the ____ of God (4:11).
Down
- The ____ has departed from Israel (4:22).
Think About It
Why is it dangerous to treat prayer, church, or the Bible as a lucky charm?
What is the difference between wanting God's help and wanting God Himself?
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)
Copy It
Prayer
Dear God, thank You for being with me always. Help me . Amen.
Take It Home
For families: talk about these together.
- How did God's word about Eli's sons come true?
- When have you trusted a thing more than God?
- What is one way you could live out this chapter this week?
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.