ichabod Summary and Overview

When the tidings of the disastrous defeat of the Israelites in the battle against the Philistines near to Mizpeh were carried to Shiloh, the wife of Phinehas "was near to be delivered. And when she heard the tidings that the ark of God was taken, and that her father-in-law and her husband were dead, she bowed herself and travailed" (1 Sam. 4:19-22). In her great distress she regarded not "the women that stood by her," but named the child that was born "Ichabod" i.e., no glory, saying, "The glory is departed from Isreal;" and with that word on her lips she expired.

(inglorious), the son of Phinehas and grandson of Eli. #1Sa 4:21| (B.C. about 1100.)

ICH'ABOD (where is the glory? or inglorious), the son of Phinehas, and grandson of Eli, the high priest. 1 Sam 4:21-22. He was born just after his mother received the sad tidings that her husband and father-in-law were dead and the ark of God taken by the Philistines.

("where is the glory?") (1 Samuel 4:19-22). Born at the time of Israel's defeat by the Philistines, and his father Phinehas' death; named accordingly by his dying mother. "When she heard that the ark of God was taken, and that her father in law and her husband were dead, she bowed herself and travailed." In vain did the women by her cheer her, "Fear not, for thou hast borne a son." "She answered not, neither did she regard it." As in the case of her pious and patriotic father-in-law, Eli, the overwhelming sorrow that caused her death was "because the ark of God was taken," hence this is thrice repeated. She felt God's presence is a nation's only true "glory" (Jeremiah 2:11; Psalm 78:61; Psalm 106:20; Hosea 9:12).