Page:PracticalCommentaryOnHolyScripture.djvu/253

 The Philistines,  however,  made  a new  attack,  and  the  Israelites were again  defeated,  with  great  slaughter;  thirty  thousand  were slain, and  the  rest  put  to  flight. And a messenger  came  to  Heli, saying: “Thy  two  sons,  Ophni  and  Phinees,  are  dead,  and  the Ark of  the  Lord  is  taken.”  Now  Heli,  who  was  far  advanced in years,  on  hearing  that  the  Ark  was  taken,  fell  from  his  chair backwards by  the  door,  and  broke  his  neck  and  died. The Philistines took  the  Ark  of  the  Lord,  and  placed  it  in  the  temple  of Dagon,  their  false  god.

Next morning,  when  they  went  into  the  temple,  they  found the idol  lying  prostrate  on  the  ground  before  the  Ark. Besides, the Lord  afflicted  them  with  many  evils  on  account  of  the Ark. Many persons  died,  and  from  the  fields  there  came  forth a multitude of  mice, and  there  was  great  confusion  in  the country.

Perceiving this,  the  Philistines  resolved  that  the  Ark  of  God should no  longer  remain  amongst  them. Then they  took  the  Ark and laid  it  upon  a cart,  and  taking  two  kine,  or  young  cows,  they yoked them  to  the  cart. The cows  took  the  way  that  led  to Bethsames,  and  thus  the  Ark  was  brought  again  into  the  country  of the  Israelites.

Meanwhile, after  the  death  of  Heli,  Samuel  had  become  Judge in Israel. He assembled  the  people,  reproached  them  for  their evil doings,  and  then  said:  “If  you  turn  to  the  Lord  with  all  your heart, and  put  away  the  strange  gods  from  among  you,  and  prepare your  hearts  unto  the  Lord,  and  serve  Him  only,  He  will deliver you  out  of  the  hands  of  the  Philistines.”

So they  humbled  themselves  before  God  in  prayer  and  fasting, Samuel interceding  and  offering  sacrifice  for  them. And the  Lord