The Philistines Capture the Ark

1 Samuel 4

1 And the word of Samuel came to all Israel. Now Israel went out to battle against the Philistines. They encamped at w Ebenezer, and the Philistines encamped at x Aphek. 2 The Philistines drew up in line against Israel, and when the battle spread, Israel was defeated by the Philistines, who killed about four thousand men on the field of battle. 3 And when the troops came to the camp, the elders of Israel said, "Why has the Lord defeated us today before the Philistines? Let us bring the ark of the covenant of the Lord here y from Shiloh, that it may come among us and save us from the power of our enemies." 4 So the people sent to Shiloh and brought from there the ark of the covenant of the Lord of hosts, z who is enthroned on the cherubim. And the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were there with the ark of the covenant of God.

5 As soon as the ark of the covenant of the Lord came into the camp, all Israel a gave a mighty shout, so that the earth resounded. 6 And when the Philistines heard the noise of the shouting, they said, "What does this great shouting in the camp of the Hebrews mean?" And when they learned that the ark of the Lord had come to the camp, 7 the Philistines were afraid, for they said, "A god has come into the camp." And they said, "Woe to us! For nothing like this has happened before. 8 Woe to us! Who can deliver us from the power of these mighty gods? These are the gods who struck the Egyptians with every sort of plague in the wilderness. 9 b Take courage, and be men, O Philistines, lest you become slaves to the Hebrews c as they have been to you; be men and fight."

10 So the Philistines fought, d and Israel was defeated, e and they fled, every man to his home. And there was a very great slaughter, for there fell of Israel thirty thousand foot soldiers. 11 f And the ark of God was captured, g and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, died.

  1. Cross References
    1 Samuel 5:1
    When the Philistines captured the ark of God, they brought it from Ebenezer to Ashdod.
    1 Samuel 7:12
    Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen and called its name Ebenezer; for he said, "Till now the Lord has helped us.
  2. Cross References
    1 Samuel 29:1
    Now the Philistines had gathered all their forces at Aphek. And the Israelites were encamped by the spring that is in Jezreel.
    Joshua 12:18
    The king of Aphek, one; the king of Lasharon, one.
  3. Cross References
    Joshua 18:1
    Then the whole congregation of the people of Israel assembled at Shiloh and set up the tent of meeting there. The land lay subdued before them.
  4. Cross References
    Exodus 25:22
    There I will meet with you, and from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubim that are on the ark of the testimony, I will speak with you about all that I will give you in commandment for the people of Israel.
    2 Samuel 6:2
    And David arose and went with all the people who were with him from Baale-judah to bring up from there the ark of God, which is called by the name of the Lord of hosts who sits enthroned on the cherubim.
    Psalms 80:1
    Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, you who lead Joseph like a flock! You who are enthroned upon the cherubim, shine forth.
    Psalms 99:1
    The Lord reigns; let the peoples tremble! He sits enthroned upon the cherubim; let the earth quake!
    Numbers 7:89
    And when Moses went into the tent of meeting to speak with the Lord, he heard the voice speaking to him from above the mercy seat that was on the ark of the testimony, from between the two cherubim; and it spoke to him.
  5. Cross References
    Joshua 6:5
    And when they make a long blast with the ram's horn, when you hear the sound of the trumpet, then all the people shall shout with a great shout, and the wall of the city will fall down flat, and the people shall go up, everyone straight before him.
    Joshua 6:20
    So the people shouted, and the trumpets were blown. As soon as the people heard the sound of the trumpet, the people shouted a great shout, and the wall fell down flat, so that the people went up into the city, every man straight before him, and they captured the city.
  6. Cross References
    2 Samuel 10:12
    Be of good courage, and let us be courageous for our people, and for the cities of our God, and may the Lord do what seems good to him.
    1 Corinthians 16:13
    Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.
  7. Cross References
    Judges 13:1
    And the people of Israel again did what was evil in the sight of the Lord, so the Lord gave them into the hand of the Philistines for forty years.
  8. Cross References
    1 Samuel 4:2
    The Philistines drew up in line against Israel, and when the battle spread, Israel was defeated by the Philistines, who killed about four thousand men on the field of battle.
    Psalms 78:62
    He gave his people over to the sword and vented his wrath on his heritage.
    Leviticus 26:17
    I will set my face against you, and you shall be struck down before your enemies. Those who hate you shall rule over you, and you shall flee when none pursues you.
    Deuteronomy 28:25
    The Lord will cause you to be defeated before your enemies. You shall go out one way against them and flee seven ways before them. And you shall be a horror to all the kingdoms of the earth.
  9. Cross References
    2 Samuel 18:17
    And they took Absalom and threw him into a great pit in the forest and raised over him a very great heap of stones. And all Israel fled every one to his own home.
    2 Samuel 19:8
    Then the king arose and took his seat in the gate. And the people were all told, "Behold, the king is sitting in the gate." And all the people came before the king. Now Israel had fled every man to his own home.
    2 Kings 14:12
    And Judah was defeated by Israel, and every man fled to his home.
    2 Chronicles 25:22
    And Judah was defeated by Israel, and every man fled to his home.
  10. Cross References
    1 Samuel 2:32
    Then in distress you will look with envious eye on all the prosperity that shall be bestowed on Israel, and there shall not be an old man in your house forever.
    Psalms 78:60 - 61
    He forsook his dwelling at Shiloh, the tent where he dwelt among mankind.
  11. Cross References
    1 Samuel 2:34
    And this that shall come upon your two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, shall be the sign to you: both of them shall die on the same day.
    Psalms 78:64
    Their priests fell by the sword, and their widows made no lamentation.
English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.
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