Honoring God Thru the Bible: 1Samuel 4-7 In these chapters we learned about Israel's continued paganism in their worship of Baal and how they were in Philistine bondage as a result. The Philistines took the Ark of the Covenant from the Israelites who brought it into battle assuming that it's presence alone would guarantee victory over the Philistines, regardless of their rebellion and idolatry. Both the Philistines and Israel learned that the presence of God is not to be dishonored. Furthermore, Israel came to worship God and turn from their idolatry under Samuel's leadership as judge and prophet.