The Danger of Religious Trifling - All The LORD is near Daily Devotionals for 2026

The Philistines fought, and Israel was routed, and they fled every man to his tent.
1 Samuel 4:10

The Danger of Religious Trifling
What should the people of God do when they are defeated? The actions and attitudes of the people of Israel in this chapter provide some answers to that question.

The chapter begins with about four thousand Israelites killed at the hand of the Philistines, and the leaders asking, "What went wrong?" They began well by recognizing the hand of the Lord in their defeat, but they did not go on to the right remedy. Instead of humbling themselves before God, confessing their sins, and seeking restoration, they opted for a show of outward religious power: "Let us fetch ourselves the ark of the covenant of Jehovah out of Shiloh" (v. 3). They treated the ark almost like a good luck charm that would help them in trouble. They were concerned with their immediate problem rather than with the glory of God. Their thoughts were on victory and personal well-being rather than on repentance and holiness of life. It all sounds so contemporary.

Worst of all, "Hophni and Phinehas, were there by the ark of the covenant of God" (v. 4). These vile men were the custodians of that which represented God's presence among the people of Israel. Imagine—enemies of God in the place of spiritual prominence! It is like seminaries where agnostic theologians study the Savior they scorn, doctrines they deny, and the Bible they blast.

Yet it almost worked: "When the ark of the covenant of Jehovah came into the camp all Israel shouted with a great shout, so that the earth shook" (v. 5). Hooray for our good luck charm! The Philistines also heard. After an initial panic, they rallied and handed Israel a sound thrashing. Thirty thousand soldiers died, the ark was captured, and Hophni and Phinehas were killed. God will not tolerate religious trifling.

Grant W. Steidl