And she named the child Ichabod, saying, “The glory has departed from Israel!” because the ark of God had been captured and because of her father-in-law and her husband. And she said, “The glory has departed from Israel, for the ark of God has been captured.” 1 Sam 4:21-22
Kâbôd is the Hebrew word for glory. It means “weightiness” or “heaviness”. It signifies that which is of supreme importance. The exact opposite of “light-weight” and inconsequential. In the final days of Eli the priest, Israel was led by his sons who were sexually immoral (1 Sam 2:22) and treated the offering of the Lord with contempt (1 Sam 2:17, 1 Sam 2:30b). Because of their ungodly leadership, the people of Israel had drifted from God and no longer had the blessing of God to fight their enemies. Their losses in battle were enormous (1 Sam 4:10) and the ark of the covenant was captured. They thought that using the ark would repel the Philistines “magically” in spite of their sin. When Eli’s sons are judged for their wickedness and killed in the battle, the wife of one of the sons gives birth to a son that she calls “Ichabod” which means literally “no glory”
The truth is that sometimes the glory of God departs from His people. His favour is withdrawn. Blessings cease. The protection they have enjoyed through the hand of God is withdrawn and they are plundered by the enemy. Faith gives way to fear, panic, and despair (1 Sam 7:2)
This sad state for the Israelites lasted 20 years (1 Sam 7:2). The breakthrough came through Samuel leading the people to repentance, fasting, and the necessity of atonement (1 Sam 7:9). And all of it was saturated with much prayer and intercession (1 Sam 7:8-12, Ps 99:6).
The glory not only departs, but it returns when sin is put away; the cross is put functionally front and center; and desperate prayer is made to the God who is “for” his people.