Anointed: A Study in 1 SamuelSample

What does it say?

The Philistines returned the Ark of the Covenant to Israel with a guilt offering to satisfy the wrath of God. The Israelites rejoiced and offered sacrifices to God.

What does it mean?

It is common in many cultures to give a gift when someone has been offended. God’s people had instructions about different types of guilt offerings in the writings of Moses, but in this situation the Philistines were offering a gift to satisfy the wrath of God against them. It was as if God had moved the Philistines to do what was right after they had done what was wrong with His ark. God’s wrath against the Philistines was pacified when the Israelites in Beth-Shemesh offered up sacrifices to rejoice in the return of the Ark of the Covenant to Israel.

How should I respond?

When we’ve done something wrong, pride often stands in the way of admitting our guilt and asking God for forgiveness. One of the hardest things to do is simply saying the words, “I’m sorry, I was wrong, will you forgive me?” However, admitting when we’re wrong and asking for forgiveness not only heals those we’ve harmed, but it frees us. Is there a sin that you need to admit and ask forgiveness from God or another person? Keeping that sin to yourself because of pride will bind you, but asking for forgiveness will free you to have an unhindered relationship with the Lord.