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1 Samuel 4

KJ3 Literal Translation — Chapter 4 of 31

1 And the word of Samuel was revealed to all Israel. And Israel went out to meet the Philistines for battle. And they pitched beside Ebenezer, and the Philistines pitched in Aphek.

2 And the Philistines set themselves in order to meet Israel, and the battle was spread. And Israel was stricken before the Philistines. And they struck about four thousand men from the battle line in the field.

3 And the people came into the camp, and the elders of Israel said, Why has Jehovah stricken us today before the Philistines? Let us take the ark of the covenant of Jehovah to us from Shiloh, and let it come into our midst; and it will save us from the palm of our enemies.

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Chapter Summary

The Israelites are overcome by the Philistines at Ebenezer. They bring the ark to the battlefield. The ark is taken, Hophni and Phinehas are slain. Eli, falling backward, breaks his neck.

Key Hebrew Words

מִהַ֔ר acquire by paying purchase-price H4116 · TWOT 1153
שְׁלֹשִׁ֥ים thirty H7970 · TWOT 2403d
מִצְרַ֛יִם Egypt H4714 · TWOT 1235
תְּרוּעָ֣ה shout of war H8643 · TWOT 2135b
מַפְרַקְתּ neck H4665 · TWOT 1828c

People & Context

Israel Defeated at Aphek

Israel goes to battle against the Philistines at Ebenezer and Aphek, and is stricken, losing about four thousand men.

Israel Retrieves the Ark

The elders of Israel send to Shiloh for the Ark of the Covenant, hoping it will save them. Hophni and Phinehas accompany it.

Philistine Reaction to the Ark

Israel's great shout upon the Ark's arrival terrifies the Philistines, who recognize the gods that struck Egypt, yet they encourage each other to figh…

Timeline

Israel Defeated at Aphek

Israel goes to battle against the Philistines at Ebenezer and Aphek, and is stricken, losing about four thousand men.

1 Samuel 4:1-2
Israel Retrieves the Ark

The elders of Israel send to Shiloh for the Ark of the Covenant, hoping it will save them. Hophni and Phinehas accompany it.

1 Samuel 4:3-4
Philistine Reaction to the Ark

Israel's great shout upon the Ark's arrival terrifies the Philistines, who recognize the gods that struck Egypt, yet they encourage each other to fight like men.

1 Samuel 4:5-9

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