And she named the child I-chabod, &c.— Here, as usual, the reason of the name imposed is given: I-chabod signifying literally inglorious, or without glory; glory being departed; i.e. the ark of God taken. Houbigant supposes the 22nd verse not to be the words of the mother of I-chabod, but those of the historian. The Arabic and some other versions omit that verse. Houbigant renders the two verses thus, 1 Samuel 4:21. But she named the child I-chabod, because it was told her that the ark of God was taken. 1 Samuel 4:22. For she said, The glory is departed from Israel, since the ark of God is taken.
Note; If God depart from us, if his ordinances are removed, and the light of his countenance withheld, neither earth, nor the things of it, have any more sweetness or glory; all is under a dismal eclipse, universal darkness reigns, and the soul experiences the foretastes of the outer darkness in eternal death.