Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897)
Stone of help, the memorial stone set up by Samuel to commemorate the divine assistance to Israel in their great battle against the Philistines, whom they totally routed (1 Sam. 7:7-12) at Aphek, in the neighbourhood of Mizpeh, in Benjamin, near the western entrance of the pass of Beth-horon. On this very battle-field, twenty years before, the Philistines routed the Israelites, “and slew of the army in the field about four thousand men” (4:1, 2; here, and at 5:1, called “Eben-ezer” by anticipation).
In this extremity the Israelites fetched the ark out of Shiloh and carried it into their camp. The Philistines a second time immediately attacked them, and smote them with a very great slaughter, “for there fell of Israel thirty thousand footmen. And the ark of God was taken” (1 Sam. 4:10). ). ” Some have identified it with the modern Beit Iksa, a conspicuous and prominent position, apparently answering all the necessary conditions; others with Dier Aban, 3 miles east of ‘Ain Shems.
Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible (1898) & Schaff's Bible Dictionary
EB'EN-E'ZER (stone of help), set up as a memorial by Samuel, 1 Sam 4:1; Jud 5:1; Num 7:12, between Mizpeh and Shen. The curious fact that the name of this place occurs twice, 1 Sam 4:1; Jud 5:1, before the account of the naming of it, is explained by the familiarity of the place to the writer of the narrative, who of course lived sometime subsequent to the battle. While the Israelites were worshipping God at Mizpeh they received intelligence that the Philistines were approaching them with a formidable army.
In this emergency they betook themselves to sacrifice and prayer, and God interposed in a most signal manner for their deliverance. 1 Sam 7:5-12. " Conder places Ebenezer at Deir Aban, 3 miles east of Ain Shems. Sanwil??.
Hitchcock's Bible Names (1869)
the stone of help