1 Samuel 6:1-7:17 – God on His Throne: Returning the Ark, Restoring His People

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These are my sermon notes for Sunday morning, November 9. They’re not a full manuscript—just a listening guide to help our Tabernacle Church family to follow along. I encourage you to add your own notes as you listen each week. The service will be available on YouTube by Sunday afternoon. You can find Sermon Notes, Family Devotional Guides, our Prayer List, and more on our church website.

Intro

  • Priests are corrupt; Eli’s house is judged (2:12–36; 3:11–14).
  • Israel is defeated; the ark is captured (4:1–11).
  • The ark is taken—but God topples Dagon and strikes Philistia (5:1–12).
  • Yet GOD IS STILL ON HIS THRONE: He returns the ark (holiness), disciplines irreverence (judgment), and calls His people back (renewal) (chs. 6–7).

Holiness – 6:1–12

  • “What shall we do with the ark of the LORD?” God’s heavy hand presses Philistia (6:2–5).
  • Guilt offering = confession of offense and need for reparation (6:3–4).
  • God’s holiness is objective—acknowledged now in repentance or later in judgment (6:5–6).
  • New cart; unyoked cows—a test removing human explanation (6:7–9).
  • The cows go straight to Israel—God needs no help; He directs by providence (6:10–12).

Judgment – 6:13–7:2

  • Joyful reception at Beth-shemesh (6:13–18).
  • Irreverence judged; “Who can stand before the LORD, this holy God?” (6:19–20).
  • Twenty years of lament—sorrow without change (7:1–2).
  • Why judgment? Disobedience; failure to honor God as God (cf. Rom 1:21).
  • We cannot stand; we need the Gospel—a Mediator and atonement.

Renewal – 7:3–17

  • “If you are returning… with all your heart”: remove idols, prepare your heart, serve Him only (7:3–4).
  • Prayer, fasting, confession—lament becomes obedience (7:5–6).
  • Intercession and sacrifice; the LORD thunders and delivers (7:7–11).
  • Ebenezer set: “Till now the LORD has helped us” (7:12).
  • Stability: enemies subdued, towns restored, Samuel’s steady circuit and altar (7:13–17).

The What Now

  1. Revere God’s holiness — Approach His appointed means of grace (Word, prayer, baptism, the Lord’s Table) with awe; never treat the holy as common.
  2. Live Mizpah repentance — Remove every rival, Prepare your heart, Serve Him only.
  3. Walk in obedient faith — Go live for Him this week with concrete steps of holiness, love, and witness… trusting His help . Remember His Grace and Mercy. REMEMBER YOUR EBENEZER

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