A Good Word – כָּבוֹד (Glory)

Glory—a word we may associate with fame, power, or winning—means something far weightier in the Bible. The Hebrew word kabod (כָּבוֹד) conveys heaviness, glory, or honor and is used frequently in the Ark of the Covenant narratives. In chapters 4–6, the Ark of the Covenant portrays the glory (kabod) of the Lord (Yahweh). Both the Israelites and the Philistines treated the Ark irreverently, failing to recognize its significance and honor Yahweh properly. God shattered their misconceptions, making it unmistakably clear that His glory is unrivaled. Upon close examination, we see the author of the book of 1 Samuel employing a clever play on words with the term kabod.

In the passage, Eli’s sons, Hophni and Phineas, dishonored Yahweh’s sacrifices; therefore, God did not honor (kabod) Hophni and Phineas and held them in light esteem (2:30). Eli, who had become heavy from the fat of his sons’ stolen offerings, fell and broke his neck upon hearing about the Ark’s capture (1 Sam 4:18). The reaction of Eli’s daughter-in-law also reveals an aspect of God’s glory. Upon hearing the news of the Ark’s capture and her husband’s death, she named her son Ichabod, saying, “The glory had departed from Israel” (1 Samuel 4:21).

When the Philistines captured the Ark of the Covenant and placed it in their temple as a trophy, it appeared that the Philistines’ god Dagan had defeated Yahweh. However, they quickly discovered Yahweh’s true power. The Lord toppled their god, Dagan, leaving his decapitated head and hands on the threshold (1 Sam 5:4). Even a false god was brought low before the presence of Yahweh—appearing face down before the Ark, glorifying the Lord. Then, the hand of Yahweh was heavy (kabod) upon the Philistines (1 Sam 5:6). God single-handedly afflicted the inhabitants of the five chief Philistine cities with tumors and death (1 Sam 5:6-12). After months of calamity, the Philistines realized they must send the Ark back or face destruction.

Despite the capture of the Ark, Yahweh had not been defeated. On the contrary, He was sovereignly glorious. God rescued Himself, and He alone received the glory. The reader learns that Yahweh did not need an army; He could fight for Himself. He did not need weapons; He could defend His glory.¹ Yahweh’s victories were not localized either. He could win His battles in Egypt, Ashdod, or Gath.

When the Ark returned to Israel, some men of Beth-shemesh peeked inside and died as a result. The people cried out, “Who is able to stand before the Lord , this holy God?” (1 Samuel 6:20). The Ark of the Covenant was more than a mere religious object; it represented the holy presence and glory of God.

King David also experienced this when Uzzah reached out to steady the Ark and was struck down (2 Samuel 6:6). Scripture clarifies that this was because of Uzzah’s irreverence (2 Samuel 6:7). The people had not followed God’s prescribed instructions for transporting the Ark as outlined in the Mosaic Law (Exodus 25:14; Numbers 4:15; Deuteronomy 10:8; 1 Chronicles 15:2). Uzzah’s death was not because God is characterized as cruel, but rather because God is holy. Holiness cannot be approached casually.

God is sovereign, and He is holy; therefore, He must be honored (kabod). The glory of the Lord is the manifestation of one or more of His attributes (John 2:11). In the case of the Ark and the narratives in 1 Samuel, we see the manifestation of God’s glory in His holiness. When we witness or experience an attribute of God’s character, we, too, should give Him the glory (kabod) due His name.

₁ (see also: Gideon, Judges 7:2; Jonathan, 1 Samuel 14:6; David, 1 Samuel 17:36-7)