1 Samuel 4

King James Version

Full text for 1 Samuel Chapter 4

1¶ And the word of Samuel came to all Israel. Now Israel went out against the Philistines to battle, and pitched beside Ebenezer: and the Philistines pitched in Aphek.

2And the Philistines put themselves in array against Israel: and when they joined battle, Israel was smitten before the Philistines: and they slew of the army in the field about four thousand men.

3And when the people were come into the camp, the elders of Israel said, Wherefore hath the LORD smitten us to day before the Philistines? Let us fetch the ark of the covenant of the LORD out of Shiloh unto us, that, when it cometh among us, it may save us out of the hand of our enemies.

4So the people sent to Shiloh, that they might bring from thence the ark of the covenant of the LORD of hosts, which dwelleth [between] the cherubims: and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, [were] there with the ark of the covenant of God.

5And when the ark of the covenant of the LORD came into the camp, all Israel shouted with a great shout, so that the earth rang again.

6And when the Philistines heard the noise of the shout, they said, What [meaneth] the noise of this great shout in the camp of the Hebrews? And they understood that the ark of the LORD was come into the camp.

7And the Philistines were afraid, for they said, God is come into the camp. And they said, Woe unto us! for there hath not been such a thing heretofore.

8Woe unto us! who shall deliver us out of the hand of these mighty Gods? these [are] the Gods that smote the Egyptians with all the plagues in the wilderness.

9Be strong, and quit yourselves like men, O ye Philistines, that ye be not servants unto the Hebrews, as they have been to you: quit yourselves like men, and fight.

10¶ And the Philistines fought, and Israel was smitten, and they fled every man into his tent: and there was a very great slaughter; for there fell of Israel thirty thousand footmen.

11And the ark of God was taken; and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were slain.

12¶ And there ran a man of Benjamin out of the army, and came to Shiloh the same day with his clothes rent, and with earth upon his head.

13And when he came, lo, Eli sat upon a seat by the wayside watching: for his heart trembled for the ark of God. And when the man came into the city, and told [it], all the city cried out.

14And when Eli heard the noise of the crying, he said, What [meaneth] the noise of this tumult? And the man came in hastily, and told Eli.

15Now Eli was ninety and eight years old; and his eyes were dim, that he could not see.

16And the man said unto Eli, I [am] he that came out of the army, and I fled to day out of the army. And he said, What is there done, my son?

17And the messenger answered and said, Israel is fled before the Philistines, and there hath been also a great slaughter among the people, and thy two sons also, Hophni and Phinehas, are dead, and the ark of God is taken.

18And it came to pass, when he made mention of the ark of God, that he fell from off the seat backward by the side of the gate, and his neck brake, and he died: for he was an old man, and heavy. And he had judged Israel forty years.

19¶ And his daughter in law, Phinehas' wife, was with child, [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; for her pains came upon her.

20And about the time of her death the women that stood by her said unto her, Fear not; for thou hast born a son. But she answered not, neither did she regard [it].

21And she named the child Ichabod, saying, The glory is departed from Israel: because the ark of God was taken, and because of her father in law and her husband.

22And she said, The glory is departed from Israel: for the ark of God is taken.

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

Israel suffers an initial defeat against the Philistines, prompting them to bring the Ark of the Covenant into battle for divine aid. Despite this, Israel is again routed, suffering immense casualties, and the Ark of God is captured, with Eli's sons slain. Upon hearing the news of the Ark's capture and his sons' deaths, the aged priest Eli dies, and his daughter-in-law names her newborn son Ichabod, signifying that "the glory is departed from Israel."

Medium Summary

The chapter opens with Israel engaging the Philistines in battle, suffering an initial defeat and losing four thousand men. In response, the elders of Israel decide to bring the Ark of the Covenant from Shiloh to the camp, believing its presence would ensure victory. The arrival of the Ark, accompanied by Eli's sons Hophni and Phinehas, causes a great shout among Israel and fear among the Philistines, who recognize its significance. However, the Philistines rally, fight valiantly, and inflict a devastating second defeat upon Israel, resulting in thirty thousand casualties. Crucially, the Ark of God is captured, and Hophni and Phinehas are slain in the battle. A messenger brings these dire tidings to Eli, who, upon hearing that the Ark of God was taken, falls and dies. Furthermore, Phinehas's pregnant wife, upon learning of the Ark's capture and the deaths of her husband and father-in-law, gives birth and names her son Ichabod, declaring that "the glory is departed from Israel."

Long Summary

The narrative begins with Israel engaging the Philistines in battle at Ebenezer, where they suffer an initial setback, losing approximately four thousand men. Following this defeat, the elders of Israel question why the LORD had smitten them and resolve to bring the Ark of the Covenant from Shiloh into their camp, hoping its presence would guarantee salvation from their enemies. The Ark, accompanied by Eli's two wicked sons, Hophni and Phinehas, is brought to the battlefield. Its arrival prompts a mighty shout from the Israelites, causing the earth to ring. The Philistines, hearing the commotion, realize the Ark of the LORD has come into the Hebrew camp and are filled with dread, believing "God is come into the camp," recalling the plagues inflicted upon Egypt. Despite their fear, the Philistine leaders exhort their men to be strong and fight like men, lest they become servants to the Hebrews. The Philistines then fight with renewed vigor, and Israel is utterly routed in a second, far more catastrophic defeat, with thirty thousand footmen slain. The most significant outcome of this battle is the capture of the Ark of God by the Philistines, and the death of Eli's two sons, Hophni and Phinehas. A man of Benjamin flees the battle and brings the devastating news to Shiloh, where Eli, ninety-eight years old and blind, anxiously awaits tidings concerning the Ark. The messenger reports that Israel has fled, there has been a great slaughter, Eli's sons are dead, and the Ark of God is taken. Upon hearing the news of the Ark's capture, Eli falls backward from his seat, breaks his neck, and dies, having judged Israel for forty years. Concurrently, Phinehas's pregnant wife, near delivery, hears of the Ark's capture and the deaths of her father-in-law and husband. She goes into labor and, ignoring the women who tell her she has borne a son, names the child Ichabod, lamenting, "The glory is departed from Israel: because the ark of God was taken." This chapter marks a profound turning point, signifying divine judgment and a period of national humiliation for Israel.

Core Concepts

  • The Ark of the CovenantIsrael's elders presumptuously bring the Ark into battle, believing it will guarantee victory, but its presence does not prevent a devastating defeat and its capture by the Philistines. The Philistines initially fear the Ark, perceiving it as the presence of the Hebrew God.
  • Divine JudgmentThe severe defeats of Israel and the capture of the Ark are presented as consequences of the nation's and particularly Eli's sons' wickedness, fulfilling earlier prophecies of judgment against Eli's house. God allows the Ark to be taken, demonstrating His sovereignty over its symbolic power.
  • Eli's DemiseThe aged high priest Eli, already blind, dies upon hearing the news of the Ark's capture, which is the final blow after learning of Israel's defeat and his sons' deaths. His death signifies the end of his era and the severe consequences of his failure to restrain his sons.
  • Ichabod and Departed GloryPhinehas's pregnant wife names her newborn son Ichabod, meaning "The glory is departed from Israel." This name symbolizes the profound national and spiritual loss experienced by Israel due to the Ark's capture, which represented God's presence and glory among them.
  • Philistine Fear and ResolveUpon hearing of the Ark's arrival, the Philistines are initially struck with fear, recalling God's plagues on Egypt. However, their leaders exhort them to fight bravely, transforming their fear into a fierce resolve that leads to their decisive victory.
  • Consequences of PresumptionIsrael's act of bringing the Ark into battle without true repentance or divine instruction demonstrates a reliance on a symbol rather than God Himself. This presumption leads to a greater disaster, illustrating that God's power cannot be manipulated for human ends.