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BSB
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1 Samuel 4

BSB·22 verses ·Old Testament
✦ Tap any verse to open Scripture Explorer — original Hebrew/Greek, commentary, notes & highlights
1Thus the wordדְבַר־ḏə·ḇar- — word, matter, thing, affairH1697 — Full Word Study → of Samuelשְׁמוּאֵ֖לšə·mū·’êl — God has heardH8050 — Full Word Study → cameוַיְהִ֥יway·hî — to be, become, exist, happenH1961 — Full Word Study → to allלְכָל־lə·ḵāl — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → Israelיִשְׂרָאֵ֑לyiś·rā·’êl — God prevailsH3478 — Full Word Study →. Now the Israelitesיִשְׂרָאֵל֩yiś·rā·’êl — God prevailsH3478 — Full Word Study → went outוַיֵּצֵ֣אway·yê·ṣê — To go out, come forth, exitH3318 — Full Word Study → to meetלִקְרַ֨אתliq·raṯ — to meet, encounter, or come upon (often by chance or unexpectedly)H7122 — Full Word Study → the Philistinesפְּלִשְׁתִּ֜יםpə·liš·tîm — PhilistineH6430 — Full Word Study → in battleלַמִּלְחָמָ֗הlam·mil·ḥā·māh — Battle, warfare, combat, military conflictH4421 — Full Word Study → and campedוַֽיַּחֲנוּ֙way·ya·ḥă·nū — to pitch a tent; to camp; to dwellH2583 — Full Word Study → atעַל־‘al- — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → Ebenezerהָעֵ֔זֶרhā·‘ê·zer — Stone of Help; memorial stone of God's aidH72 — Full Word Study →, while the Philistinesוּפְלִשְׁתִּ֖יםū·p̄ə·liš·tîm — PhilistineH6430 — Full Word Study → campedחָנ֥וּḥā·nū — to pitch a tent; to camp; to dwellH2583 — Full Word Study → at Aphekבַאֲפֵֽק׃ḇa·’ă·p̄êq — Fortress or strongholdH663 — Full Word Study →. 2The Philistinesפְלִשְׁתִּ֜יםp̄ə·liš·tîm — PhilistineH6430 — Full Word Study → arrayed themselvesוַיַּעַרְכ֨וּway·ya·‘ar·ḵū — to arrange, set in order, prepareH6186 — Full Word Study → againstלִקְרַ֣אתliq·raṯ — to meet, encounter, or come upon (often by chance or unexpectedly)H7122 — Full Word Study → Israelיִשְׂרָאֵ֗לyiś·rā·’êl — God prevailsH3478 — Full Word Study →, and as the battleהַמִּלְחָמָ֔הham·mil·ḥā·māh — Battle, warfare, combat, military conflictH4421 — Full Word Study → spreadוַתִּטֹּשׁ֙wat·tiṭ·ṭōš — to abandon, forsake, or let goH5203 — Full Word Study →, Israelיִשְׂרָאֵ֖לyiś·rā·’êl — God prevailsH3478 — Full Word Study → was defeatedוַיִּנָּ֥גֶףway·yin·nā·ḡep̄ — To strike, smite, or plague with force or judgmentH5062 — Full Word Study → byלִפְנֵ֣יlip̄·nê — face; presence; beforeH6440 — Full Word Study → the Philistinesפְלִשְׁתִּ֑יםp̄ə·liš·tîm — PhilistineH6430 — Full Word Study →, who struck downוַיַּכּ֤וּway·yak·kū — To strike, smite, or defeat with forceH5221 — Full Word Study → about fourכְּאַרְבַּ֥עַתkə·’ar·ba·‘aṯ — The number four; a group of fourH702 — Full Word Study → thousandאֲלָפִ֖ים’ă·lā·p̄îm — A thousand; a large military unit or census numberH505 — Full Word Study → menאִֽישׁ׃’îš — man, male person, husbandH376 — Full Word Study → on the battlefieldבַמַּֽעֲרָכָה֙ḇam·ma·‘ă·rā·ḵāh — A row, rank, or arrangement of troops in battle orderH4634 — Full Word Study →. 3When the troopsהָעָם֮hā·‘ām — a people; nation; communityH5971 — Full Word Study → returnedוַיָּבֹ֣אway·yā·ḇō — to come, go, enter, arriveH935 — Full Word Study → toאֶל־’el- — to, toward, against; directional and relational prepositionH413 — Full Word Study → the campהַֽמַּחֲנֶה֒ham·ma·ḥă·neh — Military encampment; organized settlement or gatheringH4264 — Full Word Study →, the eldersזִקְנֵ֣יziq·nê — An old person; an elder with authority and wisdomH2205 — Full Word Study → of Israelיִשְׂרָאֵ֔לyiś·rā·’êl — God prevailsH3478 — Full Word Study → askedוַיֹּֽאמְרוּ֙way·yō·mə·rū — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study →, “Whyלָ֣מָּהlām·māh — What? Why? How? (interrogative particle)H4100 — Full Word Study → has the LORDיְהוָ֛הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → brought defeat on usנְגָפָ֧נוּnə·ḡā·p̄ā·nū — To strike, smite, or plague with force or judgmentH5062 — Full Word Study → beforeלִפְנֵ֣יlip̄·nê — face; presence; beforeH6440 — Full Word Study → the Philistinesפְלִשְׁתִּ֑יםp̄ə·liš·tîm — PhilistineH6430 — Full Word Study → todayהַיּ֖וֹםhay·yō·wm — day; time; period; ageH3117 — Full Word Study →? Let us bringנִקְחָ֧הniq·ḥāh — to take, seize, or receiveH3947 — Full Word Study → the arkאֲרוֹן֙’ă·rō·wn — A wooden box or container, often sacredH727 — Full Word Study → of the covenantבְּרִ֣יתbə·rîṯ — A binding agreement or covenant between partiesH1285 — Full Word Study → of the LORDיְהוָ֔הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → from Shilohמִשִּׁלֹ֗הmiš·ši·lōh — A place of restH7887 — Full Word Study →, so that it may goוְיָבֹ֣אwə·yā·ḇō — to come, go, enter, arriveH935 — Full Word Study → with usבְקִרְבֵּ֔נוּḇə·qir·bê·nū — midst, inner part, heart, inward beingH7130 — Full Word Study → to save usוְיֹשִׁעֵ֖נוּwə·yō·ši·‘ê·nū — To deliver, rescue, or save from dangerH3467 — Full Word Study → from the handמִכַּ֥ףmik·kap̄ — Palm of the hand; hollow of anything; power or controlH3709 — Full Word Study → of our enemiesאֹיְבֵֽינוּ׃’ō·yə·ḇê·nū — Enemy; adversary; one who opposesH341 — Full Word Study →.” 4So the peopleהָעָם֙hā·‘ām — a people; nation; communityH5971 — Full Word Study → sentוַיִּשְׁלַ֤חway·yiš·laḥ — to send, let go, releaseH7971 — Full Word Study → men to Shiloh, and they broughtוַיִּשְׂא֣וּway·yiś·’ū — To lift up, raise, or bear; to carry or supportH5375 — Full Word Study → backמִשָּׁ֗םmiš·šām — There, in that placeH8033 — Full Word Study → the arkאֲר֧וֹן’ă·rō·wn — A wooden box or container, often sacredH727 — Full Word Study → of the covenantבְּרִית־bə·rîṯ- — A binding agreement or covenant between partiesH1285 — Full Word Study → of the LORDיְהוָ֛הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → of Hostsצְבָא֖וֹתṣə·ḇā·’ō·wṯ — army, host, or organized military forceH6635 — Full Word Study →, who sits enthronedיֹשֵׁ֣בyō·šêḇ — to dwell, inhabit, settle, remainH3427 — Full Word Study → between the cherubimהַכְּרֻבִ֑יםhak·kə·ru·ḇîm — A celestial being; a heavenly guardianH3742 — Full Word Study →. And the twoשְׁנֵ֣יšə·nê — The number two; a pair or coupleH8147 — Full Word Study → sonsבְנֵֽי־ḇə·nê- — Son; descendant; member of a groupH1121 — Full Word Study → of Eliעֵלִ֗י‘ê·lî — My GodH5941 — Full Word Study →, Hophniחָפְנִ֖יḥā·p̄ə·nî — Hophni the priestH2652 — Full Word Study → and Phinehasוּפִֽינְחָֽס׃ū·p̄î·nə·ḥās — Mouth of a serpentH6372 — Full Word Study →, were thereוְשָׁ֞םwə·šām — There, in that placeH8033 — Full Word Study → withעִם־‘im- — with, together with, amongH5973 — Full Word Study → the arkאֲרוֹן֙’ă·rō·wn — A wooden box or container, often sacredH727 — Full Word Study → of the covenantבְּרִ֣יתbə·rîṯ — A binding agreement or covenant between partiesH1285 — Full Word Study → of Godהָאֱלֹהִ֔יםhā·’ĕ·lō·hîm — God, the divine beingH430 — Full Word Study →. 5Whenוַיְהִ֗יway·hî — to be, become, exist, happenH1961 — Full Word Study → the arkאֲר֤וֹן’ă·rō·wn — A wooden box or container, often sacredH727 — Full Word Study → of the covenantבְּרִית־bə·rîṯ- — A binding agreement or covenant between partiesH1285 — Full Word Study → of the LORDיְהוָה֙Yah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → enteredכְּב֨וֹאkə·ḇō·w — to come, go, enter, arriveH935 — Full Word Study → the campהַֽמַּחֲנֶ֔הham·ma·ḥă·neh — Military encampment; organized settlement or gatheringH4264 — Full Word Study →, allכָל־ḵāl — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → the Israelitesיִשְׂרָאֵ֖לyiś·rā·’êl — God prevailsH3478 — Full Word Study → raisedגְדוֹלָ֑הḡə·ḏō·w·lāh — Great, mighty, large in size or significanceH1419 — Full Word Study → such a greatתְּרוּעָ֣הtə·rū·‘āh — Loud shout or trumpet blast of joyH8643 — Full Word Study → shoutוַיָּרִ֥עוּway·yā·ri·‘ū — to shout, cry out, make a loud noiseH7321 — Full Word Study → that it shookוַתֵּהֹ֖םwat·tê·hōm — to make noise, roar, rage, or disturbH1949 — Full Word Study → the ground. 6On hearingוַיִּשְׁמְע֤וּway·yiš·mə·‘ū — to hear, listen, obeyH8085 — Full Word Study → the noiseק֣וֹלqō·wl — voice, sound, or cryH6963 — Full Word Study → of the shoutהַתְּרוּעָ֔הhat·tə·rū·‘āh — Loud shout or trumpet blast of joyH8643 — Full Word Study →, the Philistinesפְלִשְׁתִּים֙p̄ə·liš·tîm — PhilistineH6430 — Full Word Study → askedוַיֹּ֣אמְר֔וּway·yō·mə·rū — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study →, “What isמֶ֠הmeh — What? Why? How? (interrogative particle)H4100 — Full Word Study → thisהַזֹּ֖אתhaz·zōṯ — This, that; demonstrative pronounH2063 — Full Word Study → loudהַגְּדוֹלָ֛הhag·gə·ḏō·w·lāh — Great, mighty, large in size or significanceH1419 — Full Word Study → shoutingהַתְּרוּעָ֧הhat·tə·rū·‘āh — Loud shout or trumpet blast of joyH8643 — Full Word Study → in the campבְּמַחֲנֵ֣הbə·ma·ḥă·nêh — Military encampment; organized settlement or gatheringH4264 — Full Word Study → of the Hebrewsהָעִבְרִ֑יםhā·‘iḇ·rîm — Hebrew personH5680 — Full Word Study →?” And when they realizedוַיֵּ֣דְע֔וּway·yê·ḏə·‘ū — to know, understand, perceiveH3045 — Full Word Study → thatכִּ֚יkî — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → the arkאֲר֣וֹן’ă·rō·wn — A wooden box or container, often sacredH727 — Full Word Study → of the LORDיְהוָ֔הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → had enteredבָּ֖אbā — to come, go, enter, arriveH935 — Full Word Study → the campהַֽמַּחֲנֶֽה׃ham·ma·ḥă·neh — Military encampment; organized settlement or gatheringH4264 — Full Word Study →, 7the Philistinesהַפְּלִשְׁתִּ֔יםhap·pə·liš·tîm — PhilistineH6430 — Full Word Study → were afraidוַיִּֽרְאוּ֙way·yir·’ū — to fear, revere, or be afraidH3372 — Full Word Study →. “The godsאֱלֹהִ֖ים’ĕ·lō·hîm — God, the divine beingH430 — Full Word Study → have enteredבָּ֥אbā — to come, go, enter, arriveH935 — Full Word Study → their campהַֽמַּחֲנֶ֑הham·ma·ḥă·neh — Military encampment; organized settlement or gatheringH4264 — Full Word Study →!” they saidאָמְר֔וּ’ā·mə·rū — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study →. “Woeא֣וֹי’ō·w — Woe; an exclamation of grief, lamentation, or warningH188 — Full Word Study → to us, forכִּ֣יkî — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → nothingלֹ֥אlō — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → like thisכָּזֹ֖אתkā·zōṯ — This, that; demonstrative pronounH2063 — Full Word Study → has happenedהָיְתָ֛הhā·yə·ṯāh — to be, become, exist, happenH1961 — Full Word Study → beforeאֶתְמ֥וֹל’eṯ·mō·wl — previously, in times past, formerlyH865 — Full Word Study →. 8Woeא֣וֹי’ō·w — Woe; an exclamation of grief, lamentation, or warningH188 — Full Word Study → to us! Whoמִ֣יmî — who? what person?H4310 — Full Word Study → will deliver usיַצִּילֵ֔נוּyaṣ·ṣî·lê·nū — to rescue, deliver, or snatch awayH5337 — Full Word Study → from the handמִיַּ֛דmî·yaḏ — hand; power, strength, controlH3027 — Full Word Study → of theseהָאֵ֑לֶּהhā·’êl·leh — These; those; the onesH428 — Full Word Study → mightyהָאַדִּירִ֖יםhā·’ad·dî·rîm — Mighty, noble, excellent, worthy of honorH117 — Full Word Study → godsהָאֱלֹהִ֥יםhā·’ĕ·lō·hîm — God, the divine beingH430 — Full Word Study →? Theseאֵ֧לֶּה’êl·leh — These; those; the onesH428 — Full Word Study → are the godsהָאֱלֹהִ֗יםhā·’ĕ·lō·hîm — God, the divine beingH430 — Full Word Study → who struckהַמַּכִּ֧יםham·mak·kîm — To strike, smite, or defeat with forceH5221 — Full Word Study → the Egyptiansמִצְרַ֛יִםmiṣ·ra·yim — Egypt, the ancient nationH4714 — Full Word Study → with all kindsבְּכָל־bə·ḵāl — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → of plaguesמַכָּ֖הmak·kāh — A blow, wound, or plague; physical injury or divine judgmentH4347 — Full Word Study → in the wildernessבַּמִּדְבָּֽר׃bam·miḏ·bār — Desert; wilderness; pasture; speechH4057 — Full Word Study →. 9Take courageהִֽתְחַזְּק֞וּhiṯ·ḥaz·zə·qū — To strengthen, make firm, establishH2388 — Full Word Study → and beוִֽהְי֤וּwih·yū — to be, become, exist, happenH1961 — Full Word Study → menלַֽאֲנָשִׁים֙la·’ă·nā·šîm — human being, man, mortal personH582 — Full Word Study →, O Philistinesפְּלִשְׁתִּ֔יםpə·liš·tîm — PhilistineH6430 — Full Word Study →! Otherwiseפֶּ֚ןpen — lest, that not, for fear thatH6435 — Full Word Study →, you will serveתַּעַבְד֣וּta·‘aḇ·ḏū — to serve, labor, workH5647 — Full Word Study → the Hebrewsלָעִבְרִ֔יםlā·‘iḇ·rîm — Hebrew personH5680 — Full Word Study → just asכַּאֲשֶׁ֥רka·’ă·šer — who, which, that; when, where, becauseH834 — Full Word Study → they servedעָבְד֖וּ‘ā·ḇə·ḏū — to serve, labor, workH5647 — Full Word Study → you. Now beוִהְיִיתֶ֥םwih·yî·ṯem — to be, become, exist, happenH1961 — Full Word Study → menלַאֲנָשִׁ֖יםla·’ă·nā·šîm — human being, man, mortal personH582 — Full Word Study → and fightוְנִלְחַמְתֶּֽם׃wə·nil·ḥam·tem — to fight; to consume; to battleH3898 — Full Word Study →!” 10So the Philistinesפְלִשְׁתִּ֗יםp̄ə·liš·tîm — PhilistineH6430 — Full Word Study → foughtוַיִּלָּחֲמ֣וּway·yil·lā·ḥă·mū — to fight; to consume; to battleH3898 — Full Word Study →, and Israelיִשְׂרָאֵל֙yiś·rā·’êl — God prevailsH3478 — Full Word Study → was defeatedוַיִּנָּ֤גֶףway·yin·nā·ḡep̄ — To strike, smite, or plague with force or judgmentH5062 — Full Word Study →, and each manאִ֣ישׁ’îš — man, male person, husbandH376 — Full Word Study → fledוַיָּנֻ֙סוּ֙way·yā·nu·sū — to flee, escape, or run awayH5127 — Full Word Study → to his tentלְאֹהָלָ֔יוlə·’ō·hā·lāw — A tent; portable dwelling placeH168 — Full Word Study →. The slaughterהַמַּכָּ֖הham·mak·kāh — A blow, wound, or plague; physical injury or divine judgmentH4347 — Full Word Study → wasוַתְּהִ֥יwat·tə·hî — to be, become, exist, happenH1961 — Full Word Study → veryמְאֹ֑דmə·’ōḏ — Much, greatly, very, exceedinglyH3966 — Full Word Study → greatגְּדוֹלָ֣הgə·ḏō·w·lāh — Great, mighty, large in size or significanceH1419 — Full Word Study →thirtyשְׁלֹשִׁ֥יםšə·lō·šîm — thirty; group of thirtyH7970 — Full Word Study → thousandאֶ֖לֶף’e·lep̄ — A thousand; a large military unit or census numberH505 — Full Word Study → foot soldiersרַגְלִֽי׃raḡ·lî — on foot; infantry soldier; footmanH7273 — Full Word Study → of Israelמִיִּשְׂרָאֵ֔לmî·yiś·rā·’êl — God prevailsH3478 — Full Word Study → fellוַיִּפֹּל֙way·yip·pōl — to fall; collapse; perishH5307 — Full Word Study →. 11The arkוַאֲר֥וֹןwa·’ă·rō·wn — A wooden box or container, often sacredH727 — Full Word Study → of Godאֱלֹהִ֖ים’ĕ·lō·hîm — God, the divine beingH430 — Full Word Study → was capturedנִלְקָ֑חnil·qāḥ — to take, seize, or receiveH3947 — Full Word Study →, and Eli’sעֵלִי֙‘ê·lî — My GodH5941 — Full Word Study → twoוּשְׁנֵ֤יū·šə·nê — The number two; a pair or coupleH8147 — Full Word Study → sonsבְנֵֽי־ḇə·nê- — Son; descendant; member of a groupH1121 — Full Word Study →, Hophniחָפְנִ֖יḥā·p̄ə·nî — Hophni the priestH2652 — Full Word Study → and Phinehasוּפִֽינְחָֽס׃ū·p̄î·nə·ḥās — Mouth of a serpentH6372 — Full Word Study →, diedמֵ֔תוּmê·ṯū — to die; to put to death; to killH4191 — Full Word Study →. 12That sameהַה֑וּאha·hū — He, she, it; the third person pronounH1931 — Full Word Study → dayבַּיּ֣וֹםbay·yō·wm — day; time; period; ageH3117 — Full Word Study → a Benjamiteבִּנְיָמִן֙bin·yā·min — Son of the right handH1144 — Full Word Study → ranוַיָּ֤רָץway·yā·rāṣ — to run; move swiftlyH7323 — Full Word Study → from the battle lineמֵהַמַּ֣עֲרָכָ֔הmê·ham·ma·‘ă·rā·ḵāh — A row, rank, or arrangement of troops in battle orderH4634 — Full Word Study → all the wayוַיָּבֹ֥אway·yā·ḇō — to come, go, enter, arriveH935 — Full Word Study → to Shilohשִׁלֹ֖הši·lōh — A place of restH7887 — Full Word Study →, with his clothesוּמַדָּ֣יוū·mad·dāw — garment, clothing, or measureH4055 — Full Word Study → tornקְרֻעִ֔יםqə·ru·‘îm — to tear, rend, or split apartH7167 — Full Word Study → and dirtוַאֲדָמָ֖הwa·’ă·ḏā·māh — Land, soil, ground, earthH127 — Full Word Study → onעַל־‘al- — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → his headרֹאשֽׁוֹ׃rō·šōw — Head; chief; beginning; topH7218 — Full Word Study →. 13When he arrivedוַיָּב֗וֹאway·yā·ḇō·w — to come, go, enter, arriveH935 — Full Word Study →, thereוְהִנֵּ֣הwə·hin·nêh — Look! Behold! Pay attention!H2009 — Full Word Study → was Eliעֵ֠לִי‘ê·lî — My GodH5941 — Full Word Study →, sittingיֹשֵׁ֨בyō·šêḇ — to dwell, inhabit, settle, remainH3427 — Full Word Study → onעַֽל־‘al- — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → his chairהַכִּסֵּ֜אhak·kis·sê — Throne; seat of authority and rulershipH3678 — Full Word Study → besideיַךְyaḵ — side, flank, edgeH3197 — Full Word Study → the roadדֶּ֙רֶךְ֙de·reḵ — way, path, journey, conductH1870 — Full Word Study → and watching, becauseכִּֽי־kî- — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → his heartלִבּוֹ֙lib·bōw — Heart; the center of emotion, will, and intellectH3820 — Full Word Study → trembledחָרֵ֔דḥā·rêḏ — to tremble, quake, fear with tremblingH2730 — Full Word Study → forעַ֖ל‘al — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → the arkאֲר֣וֹן’ă·rō·wn — A wooden box or container, often sacredH727 — Full Word Study → of Godהָאֱלֹהִ֑יםhā·’ĕ·lō·hîm — God, the divine beingH430 — Full Word Study →. When the manוְהָאִ֗ישׁwə·hā·’îš — man, male person, husbandH376 — Full Word Study → enteredבָּ֚אbā — to come, go, enter, arriveH935 — Full Word Study → the cityבָּעִ֔ירbā·‘îr — City; fortified settlement or townH5892 — Full Word Study → to give a reportלְהַגִּ֣ידlə·hag·gîḏ — to tell, declare, make knownH5046 — Full Word Study →, the wholeכָּל־kāl- — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → cityהָעִֽיר׃hā·‘îr — City; fortified settlement or townH5892 — Full Word Study → cried outוַתִּזְעַ֖קwat·tiz·‘aq — To cry out, call for help, summonH2199 — Full Word Study →. 14Eliעֵלִי֙‘ê·lî — My GodH5941 — Full Word Study → heardוַיִּשְׁמַ֤עway·yiš·ma‘ — to hear, listen, obeyH8085 — Full Word Study → the outcryק֣וֹלqō·wl — voice, sound, or cryH6963 — Full Word Study → and askedוַיֹּ֕אמֶרway·yō·mer — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study →, “Whyמֶ֛הmeh — What? Why? How? (interrogative particle)H4100 — Full Word Study → thisהַזֶּ֑הhaz·zeh — this, that; the one, the otherH2088 — Full Word Study → commotionהֶהָמ֖וֹןhe·hā·mō·wn — Crowd, tumult, noise, abundanceH1995 — Full Word Study →?” So the manוְהָאִ֣ישׁwə·hā·’îš — man, male person, husbandH376 — Full Word Study → hurried overמִהַ֔רmi·har — to hurry, hasten, make hasteH4116 — Full Word Study → and reportedוַיַּגֵּ֥דway·yag·gêḏ — to tell, declare, make knownH5046 — Full Word Study → to Eliלְעֵלִֽי׃lə·‘ê·lî — My GodH5941 — Full Word Study →. 15Now Eliוְעֵלִ֕יwə·‘ê·lî — My GodH5941 — Full Word Study → was ninety-eightתִּשְׁעִ֥יםtiš·‘îm — The number ninety; used for ages, quantities, and symbolic completeness.H8673 — Full Word Study → years oldבֶּן־ben- — Son; descendant; member of a groupH1121 — Full Word Study →, and his gazeוְעֵינָ֣יוwə·‘ê·nāw — Eye; sight; appearance; fountainH5869 — Full Word Study → was fixedקָ֔מָהqā·māh — To rise, stand, or be establishedH6965 — Full Word Study → because he could notוְלֹ֥אwə·lō — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → seeלִרְאֽוֹת׃lir·’ō·wṯ — to see, perceive, behold, experienceH7200 — Full Word Study →. 16Iאָֽנֹכִי֙’ā·nō·ḵî — I, myself (first-person singular pronoun)H595 — Full Word Study → have just comeהַבָּ֣אhab·bā — to come, go, enter, arriveH935 — Full Word Study → fromמִן־min- — from, out of, by means ofH4480 — Full Word Study → the battleהַמַּעֲרָכָ֔הham·ma·‘ă·rā·ḵāh — A row, rank, or arrangement of troops in battle orderH4634 — Full Word Study →,” the manהָאִ֜ישׁhā·’îš — man, male person, husbandH376 — Full Word Study → saidוַיֹּ֨אמֶרway·yō·mer — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study → toאֶל־’el- — to, toward, against; directional and relational prepositionH413 — Full Word Study → Eliעֵלִ֗י‘ê·lî — My GodH5941 — Full Word Study →. “Iוַאֲנִ֕יwa·’ă·nî — I, me, myself (first person singular pronoun)H589 — Full Word Study → fledנַ֣סְתִּיnas·tî — to flee, escape, or run awayH5127 — Full Word Study → fromמִן־min- — from, out of, by means ofH4480 — Full Word Study → there todayהַמַּעֲרָכָ֖הham·ma·‘ă·rā·ḵāh — A row, rank, or arrangement of troops in battle orderH4634 — Full Word Study →.” “Whatמֶֽה־meh- — What? Why? How? (interrogative particle)H4100 — Full Word Study → happenedהָיָ֥הhā·yāh — to be, become, exist, happenH1961 — Full Word Study →, my sonבְּנִֽי׃bə·nî — Son; descendant; member of a groupH1121 — Full Word Study →?” Eli askedוַיֹּ֛אמֶרway·yō·mer — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study →. 17The messengerהַֽמְבַשֵּׂ֜רham·ḇaś·śêr — to announce good news; to proclaim tidingsH1319 — Full Word Study → answeredוַיַּ֨עַןway·ya·‘an — To answer, respond, or testifyH6030 — Full Word Study →, “Israelיִשְׂרָאֵל֙yiś·rā·’êl — God prevailsH3478 — Full Word Study → has fledנָ֤סnās — to flee, escape, or run awayH5127 — Full Word Study → beforeלִפְנֵ֣יlip̄·nê — face; presence; beforeH6440 — Full Word Study → the Philistinesפְלִשְׁתִּ֔יםp̄ə·liš·tîm — PhilistineH6430 — Full Word Study →, andוְגַ֛םwə·ḡam — also, even, moreover, both...andH1571 — Full Word Study → there has beenהָיְתָ֣הhā·yə·ṯāh — to be, become, exist, happenH1961 — Full Word Study → a greatגְדוֹלָ֖הḡə·ḏō·w·lāh — Great, mighty, large in size or significanceH1419 — Full Word Study → slaughterמַגֵּפָ֥הmag·gê·p̄āh — Divine plague or stroke of judgmentH4046 — Full Word Study → among the peopleבָעָ֑םḇā·‘ām — a people; nation; communityH5971 — Full Word Study →. Your twoשְׁנֵ֨יšə·nê — The number two; a pair or coupleH8147 — Full Word Study → sonsבָנֶ֜יךָḇā·ne·ḵā — Son; descendant; member of a groupH1121 — Full Word Study →, Hophniחָפְנִי֙ḥā·p̄ə·nî — Hophni the priestH2652 — Full Word Study → and Phinehasוּפִ֣ינְחָ֔סū·p̄î·nə·ḥās — Mouth of a serpentH6372 — Full Word Study →, are both deadמֵ֗תוּmê·ṯū — to die; to put to death; to killH4191 — Full Word Study →, and the arkוַאֲר֥וֹןwa·’ă·rō·wn — A wooden box or container, often sacredH727 — Full Word Study → of Godהָאֱלֹהִ֖יםhā·’ĕ·lō·hîm — God, the divine beingH430 — Full Word Study → has been capturedנִלְקָֽחָה׃פnil·qā·ḥāh — to take, seize, or receiveH3947 — Full Word Study →.” 18As soon asוַיְהִ֞יway·hî — to be, become, exist, happenH1961 — Full Word Study → the arkאֲר֣וֹן’ă·rō·wn — A wooden box or container, often sacredH727 — Full Word Study → of Godהָאֱלֹהִ֗יםhā·’ĕ·lō·hîm — God, the divine beingH430 — Full Word Study → was mentionedכְּהַזְכִּיר֣וֹ׀kə·haz·kî·rōw — to remember, recall, or mentionH2142 — Full Word Study →, Eli fellוַיִּפֹּ֣לway·yip·pōl — to fall; collapse; perishH5307 — Full Word Study → backwardאֲחֹ֨רַנִּ֜ית’ă·ḥō·ran·nîṯ — Backward; in reverse; behindH322 — Full Word Study → fromמֵֽעַל־mê·‘al- — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → his chairהַ֠כִּסֵּאhak·kis·sê — Throne; seat of authority and rulershipH3678 — Full Word Study → byיַ֣דyaḏ — hand; power, strength, controlH3027 — Full Word Study → the city gateהַשַּׁ֗עַרhaš·ša·‘ar — Gate; entrance to a city or enclosureH8179 — Full Word Study →, and beingכִּֽי־kî- — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → oldזָקֵ֥ןzā·qên — to become old, age, grow oldH2204 — Full Word Study → and heavyוְכָבֵ֑דwə·ḵā·ḇêḏ — Heavy; weighty; burdensome; grievousH3515 — Full Word Study →, he brokeוַתִּשָּׁבֵ֤רwat·tiš·šā·ḇêr — to break, shatter, crushH7665 — Full Word Study → his neckמַפְרַקְתּוֹ֙map̄·raq·tōw — neck; napeH4665 — Full Word Study → and diedוַיָּמֹ֔תway·yā·mōṯ — to die; to put to death; to killH4191 — Full Word Study →. And Eli had judgedשָׁפַ֥טšā·p̄aṭ — to judge, govern, or execute justiceH8199 — Full Word Study → Israelיִשְׂרָאֵ֖לyiś·rā·’êl — God prevailsH3478 — Full Word Study → fortyאַרְבָּעִ֥ים’ar·bā·‘îm — the number forty; a period of testing or judgmentH705 — Full Word Study → yearsשָׁנָֽה׃šā·nāh — Year; period of time or ageH8141 — Full Word Study →. 19Now Eli’s daughter-in-lawוְכַלָּת֣וֹwə·ḵal·lā·ṯōw — bride; daughter-in-law; betrothed womanH3618 — Full Word Study →, the wifeאֵֽשֶׁת־’ê·šeṯ- — Woman; wife; femaleH802 — Full Word Study → of Phinehasפִּינְחָס֮pî·nə·ḥās — Mouth of a serpentH6372 — Full Word Study →, was pregnantהָרָ֣הhā·rāh — pregnant, with child, conceiveH2030 — Full Word Study → and about to give birthלָלַת֒lā·laṯ — to give birth, beget, or bear a childH3205 — Full Word Study →. When she heardוַתִּשְׁמַ֣עwat·tiš·ma‘ — to hear, listen, obeyH8085 — Full Word Study → the newsהַשְּׁמֻעָ֔הhaš·šə·mu·‘āh — news, report, or rumor; something heard or toldH8052 — Full Word Study → ofאֶל־’el- — to, toward, against; directional and relational prepositionH413 — Full Word Study → the captureהִלָּקַח֙hil·lā·qaḥ — to take, seize, or receiveH3947 — Full Word Study → of God’sהָאֱלֹהִ֔יםhā·’ĕ·lō·hîm — God, the divine beingH430 — Full Word Study → arkאֲר֣וֹן’ă·rō·wn — A wooden box or container, often sacredH727 — Full Word Study → and the deathsוּמֵ֥תū·mêṯ — to die; to put to death; to killH4191 — Full Word Study → of her father-in-lawחָמִ֖יהָḥā·mî·hā — father-in-lawH2524 — Full Word Study → and her husbandוְאִישָׁ֑הּwə·’î·šāh — man, male person, husbandH376 — Full Word Study →, she collapsedוַתִּכְרַ֣עwat·tiḵ·ra‘ — to bow down, kneel, or fall to the groundH3766 — Full Word Study → and gave birthוַתֵּ֔לֶדwat·tê·leḏ — to give birth, beget, or bear a childH3205 — Full Word Study →, forכִּֽי־kî- — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → her labor painsצִרֶֽיהָ׃ṣi·re·hā — hinge; messenger; pain, distressH6735 — Full Word Study → overtookנֶהֶפְכ֥וּne·hep̄·ḵū — to overturn, turn over, transformH2015 — Full Word Study → herעָלֶ֖יהָ‘ā·le·hā — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study →. 20Asוּכְעֵ֣תū·ḵə·‘êṯ — Time, season, or appointed momentH6256 — Full Word Study → she was dyingמוּתָ֗הּmū·ṯāh — to die; to put to death; to killH4191 — Full Word Study →, the women attendingהַנִּצָּב֣וֹתhan·niṣ·ṣā·ḇō·wṯ — To stand, station, or set up firmlyH5324 — Full Word Study → to herעָלֶ֔יהָ‘ā·le·hā — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → saidוַתְּדַבֵּ֙רְנָה֙wat·tə·ḏab·bê·rə·nāh — to speak, say, or declareH1696 — Full Word Study →, “Do notאַל־’al- — do not; negative imperative particleH408 — Full Word Study → be afraidתִּֽירְאִ֖יtî·rə·’î — to fear, revere, or be afraidH3372 — Full Word Study →, forכִּ֣יkî — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → you have given birth toיָלָ֑דְתְּyā·lā·ḏət — to give birth, beget, or bear a childH3205 — Full Word Study → a sonבֵ֣ןḇên — Son; descendant; member of a groupH1121 — Full Word Study →!” But she did notוְלֹ֥אwə·lō — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → respondעָנְתָ֖ה‘ā·nə·ṯāh — To answer, respond, or testifyH6030 — Full Word Study → or pay any heedשָׁ֥תָהšā·ṯāh — to set, place, or appointH7896 — Full Word Study →. 21And she namedוַתִּקְרָ֣אwat·tiq·rā — To call, summon, or proclaimH7121 — Full Word Study → the boyלַנַּ֗עַרlan·na·‘ar — Young man, boy, or male servantH5288 — Full Word Study → Ichabodכָבוֹד֙ḵā·ḇō·wḏ — No gloryH350 — Full Word Study →, sayingלֵאמֹ֔רlê·mōr — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study →, “The gloryכָב֖וֹדḵā·ḇō·wḏ — weightiness, honor, splendor, gloryH3519 — Full Word Study → has departedגָּלָ֥הgā·lāh — HeglamH1540 — Full Word Study → from Israelמִיִּשְׂרָאֵ֑לmî·yiś·rā·’êl — God prevailsH3478 — Full Word Study →,” becauseאֶל־’el- — to, toward, against; directional and relational prepositionH413 — Full Word Study → the arkאֲר֣וֹן’ă·rō·wn — A wooden box or container, often sacredH727 — Full Word Study → of Godהָאֱלֹהִ֔יםhā·’ĕ·lō·hîm — God, the divine beingH430 — Full Word Study → had been capturedהִלָּקַח֙hil·lā·qaḥ — to take, seize, or receiveH3947 — Full Word Study → and her father-in-lawחָמִ֖יהָḥā·mî·hā — father-in-lawH2524 — Full Word Study → and her husband had been killedוְאִישָֽׁהּ׃wə·’î·šāh — man, male person, husbandH376 — Full Word Study →. 22The gloryכָב֖וֹדḵā·ḇō·wḏ — weightiness, honor, splendor, gloryH3519 — Full Word Study → has departedגָּלָ֥הgā·lāh — HeglamH1540 — Full Word Study → from Israelמִיִּשְׂרָאֵ֑לmî·yiś·rā·’êl — God prevailsH3478 — Full Word Study →,” she saidוַתֹּ֕אמֶרwat·tō·mer — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study →, “forכִּ֥יkî — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → the arkאֲר֥וֹן’ă·rō·wn — A wooden box or container, often sacredH727 — Full Word Study → of Godהָאֱלֹהִֽים׃פhā·’ĕ·lō·hîm — God, the divine beingH430 — Full Word Study → has been capturedנִלְקַ֖חnil·qaḥ — to take, seize, or receiveH3947 — Full Word Study →.”
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Chapter Commentary — 1 Samuel 4
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Chapter Overview

First Samuel 4 marks a tragic turning point in Israel's spiritual history. After Samuel's public ministry begins to take effect across the nation (v. 1), Israel faces military defeat at the hands of the Philistines. Rather than repent and seek the Lord's face, the elders make a fatal mistake: they treat the Ark of the Covenant as a magical talisman instead of a symbol of God's presence and holiness. This chapter demonstrates the catastrophic consequences when God's people rely on external religious symbols while ignoring their own sin and spiritual condition. The loss of the Ark and the death of Eli mark the end of an era and prepare the way for Samuel's leadership and David's rise.

Verses 1–5: Initial Defeat and Misguided Trust

Israel goes out to battle against the Philistines near Ebenezer and Aphek, only to suffer a humiliating defeat, losing about four thousand men (vv. 1–2). When the elders gather in the camp, they ask the right question—"Why has the LORD smitten us?"—but draw the wrong conclusion. Instead of examining their own hearts and seeking genuine repentance, they decide to bring the Ark of the Covenant from Shiloh, believing it will magically save them (v. 3). Hophni and Phinehas, Eli's corrupt sons who serve as priests, accompany the Ark (v. 4). When the Ark arrives, Israel erupts in such a great shout that "the earth rang again" (v. 5). This enthusiasm reveals a fundamental misunderstanding: they have confused outward religious practice with inward spiritual reality. The Ark is holy, but it is not a good-luck charm.

Verses 6–12: Philistine Fear and Israel's Greater Defeat

The Philistines hear Israel's shout and initially believe God Himself has entered the camp (vv. 6–8). Their fear is genuine—they remember how God defeated Egypt with plagues. Yet fear alone does not lead them to repentance; instead, it motivates them to fight harder (v. 9). The result is catastrophic: Israel is utterly routed, with thirty thousand footmen slain—far worse than the first defeat (v. 10). The Ark is captured, and both Hophni and Phinehas are killed (v. 11). A man from Benjamin flees the battlefield and runs to Shiloh with torn clothes and dirt on his head—signs of extreme distress and mourning (v. 12).

Verses 13–18: Eli's Death and the Loss of Hope

Eli, now ninety-eight years old and nearly blind, has been anxiously waiting by the gate, his heart trembling for the Ark (v. 13). When the messenger arrives with news of Israel's defeat, the death of his sons, and—most significantly—the loss of the Ark itself, Eli physically collapses and dies (vv. 14–18). The narrative emphasizes that he fell backward and broke his neck; his death was both sudden and complete. The text notes he had judged Israel for forty years, marking the end of his era of leadership. His death is presented not as tragic defeat alone, but as God's judgment, for he had failed to restrain his wicked sons (see 1 Samuel 2:29–34).

Verses 19–22: The Birth of Ichabod and Spiritual Ruin

The final verses capture the utter despair of this moment through Phinehas's wife. Upon hearing that her husband, father-in-law, and—most importantly—the Ark of God are all lost, she goes into premature labor and dies (vv. 19–20). Even the birth of her son brings no comfort; she names him Ichabod, meaning "the glory has departed" (v. 21–22). This name encapsulates the entire tragedy: when God's people lose sight of Him and depend on religious externals rather than genuine devotion, the true glory departs.

Application for Today

This chapter warns us against substituting religious activity for spiritual reality. We may attend church, own a Bible, or participate in Christian programs, yet miss Christ entirely if our hearts are not genuinely surrendered to Him. True strength in the Christian life comes not from rituals or possessions, but from repentance, obedience, and a living relationship with God through Jesus Christ. When we stray from that foundation, even our most earnest efforts fail.

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