Philistines Capture Ark

The book of Judges states that Israel was in bondage to the Philistines for 40 years (Judges 13:1), during which time Samson judged the land for 20 years (Judges 15:20 16:31). Eli's judgeship either followed or overlapped Samson's. Eli functioned as judge for 40 years (1 Sam. 4:18). When Eli became so old as to lose control over state affairs, the Philistines may have felt that the time had come for them to secure control of the hill country. Knowing that the center of government was at Shiloh, they would naturally send their army toward it.

Upon numerous previous occasions God had directed that the armies of Israel go forth into battle with their enemies, and when they did so in response to His command victory was theirs. This time, however, the circumstances were different. The fact that they carried the ark of the covenant into battle (v. 3) and that the Philistines captured it is evidence that the people of Israel, motivated by a false confidence in their own strength, had initiated the attack and expected an easy victory. They went forth into battle, not in humble faith trusting in God, but with pride in their own cleverness and power. When God was with them no enemy could stand before them when He was not, defeat was certain.