Illustrated bible History - Catholic Apologetics Information

Heli, Ophni and Pl~inees, nccomp:mied the arlr to the camp.
The people, on beholding the ark in their midst, sct up a
great shout, anrl the earl11 rang with their slioating.
8. The Philist,iaes, however, inncle a nerv t~ttac:lr, ailcl the
Israelites mert? again defeated, 114th great slnughter-thirty
tllousand wcrc slain, and the rest put to flight. And a messenger
camc to Heli, ~i~ying: "Thy trvo sons, Opll~li and
Phinetts, arc clcud, ttnd thc ark of the Lord is taken." Now,
EIeli, who was fiir advanccd in years, on hearing that the ark
was tnlcen, fell from his chair baclr\vards by tlie door, and
brolrc his neck aid dicd. The Philistincs took the ark of the
Lord and placed it in tho temple of Ilngon, their false god.
9. Kext morning, when they went into the temple, they
fount1 the idol lying prostra.tc on the gmuncl before tl~c arlr.
Bosidas, the Lord aBictetl t.l~c?n nliLli inany cvils on accouilt
of tllc ark. 31:1~ily persons cliccl, arid from tile fields there
ea.mc forth a'n~ultitude of mice, ntid thcre \Isas great confusion
in the country.
10. I'craciving tIiis, the Philistines resolvod that the n,rk of
God should no longer remain atnongst thcm. Then they took
the nrlr and laid it upon :L cart, and taking two kine, or young
cows, they yolrctl them to the c:trt. The cows took the way
that led to Betl.ls:rmcs, nnd thus the ark mue brought again
into the cowltry of the Israelites.
11. Meitll~vhiIe, after tlic death of Hcli, Saxnucl had bcco~ne
judge in 1sr:tel. Hc assemnbled the pcople, reproacl~cd them
for tl~cir cvil doings, anrl tile11 said : 'L If you turn to the
Lord with a11 your he:irt, ;ud put n7vn.y the strange gods from
anlong you, and prepare your hearts nnt'o tlle Lord, anrl serve
I-Iinl only, He will deliver you out of the hancls of the l'llilistines."
12. So they humblecl themselves before ~o(1 in prayer :md
f&st.ing. Arid tlla Lord took pily upun the~n, and gave them
sucll n victory over the Philistincs t11:tf for mnny years after
they clid not dare to approach the frontiers of Isrwl.