The Philistines Capture the Ark

1 Samuel 4

1 And the word of Samuel came to all 1 Israel.
Now Israel went out to battle against the Philistines, and encamped beside a Ebenezer; and the Philistines encamped in Aphek.
2 Then the b Philistines put themselves in battle array against Israel. And when they joined battle, Israel was 2 defeated by the Philistines, who killed about four thousand men of the army in the field. 3 And when the people had come into the camp, the elders of Israel said, "Why has the LORD defeated us today before the Philistines? c Let us bring the ark of the covenant of the LORD from Shiloh to us, that when it comes among us it may save us from the hand of our enemies." 4 So the people sent to Shiloh, that they might bring from there the ark of the covenant of the LORD of hosts, d who dwells between e the cherubim. And the f two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were there with the ark of the covenant of God.

5 And when the ark of the covenant of the LORD came into the camp, all Israel shouted so loudly that the earth shook. 6 Now when the Philistines heard the noise of the shout, they said, "What does the sound of this great shout in the camp of the Hebrews mean?" Then they understood that the ark of the LORD had come into the camp. 7 So the Philistines were afraid, for they said, "God has come into the camp!" And they said, g "Woe to us! For such a thing has never happened before. 8 "Woe to us! Who will deliver us from the hand of these mighty gods? These are the gods who struck the Egyptians with all the plagues in the wilderness. 9 h "Be strong and conduct yourselves like men, you Philistines, that you do not become servants of the Hebrews, i as they have been to you. 3 Conduct yourselves like men, and fight!"

10 So the Philistines fought, and j Israel was 4 defeated, and every man fled to his tent. There was a very great slaughter, and there fell of Israel thirty thousand foot soldiers. 11 Also k the ark of God was captured; and l the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, died.

  1. Cross References
    1 Samuel 3:1
    Now the boy Samuel ministered to the LORD before Eli. And the word of the LORD was rare in those days; there was no widespread revelation.
    1 Samuel 3:4
    That the LORD called Samuel. And he answered, "Here I am!
  2. Cross References
    1 Samuel 7:12
    Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen, and called its name Ebenezer, saying, "Thus far the LORD has helped us.
  3. Cross References
    1 Samuel 12:9
    And when they forgot the LORD their God, He sold them into the hand of Sisera, commander of the army of Hazor, into the hand of the Philistines, and into the hand of the king of Moab; and they fought against them.
  4. Cross References
    Numbers 10:35
    So it was, whenever the ark set out, that Moses said: "Rise up, O LORD! Let Your enemies be scattered, And let those who hate You flee before You.
    Joshua 6:6 - 21
    Then Joshua the son of Nun called the priests and said to them, "Take up the ark of the covenant, and let seven priests bear seven trumpets of rams' horns before the ark of the LORD.
  5. Cross References
    Exodus 25:18 - 21
    And you shall make two cherubim of gold; of hammered work you shall make them at the two ends of the mercy seat.
    1 Samuel 6:2
    And the Philistines called for the priests and the diviners, saying, "What shall we do with the ark of the LORD? Tell us how we should send it to its place.
    Psalms 80:1
    Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, You who lead Joseph like a flock; You who dwell between the cherubim, shine forth!
  6. Cross References
    Numbers 7:89
    Now when Moses went into the tabernacle of meeting to speak with Him, he heard the voice of One speaking to him from above the mercy seat that was on the ark of the Testimony, from between the two cherubim; thus He spoke to him.
  7. Cross References
    1 Samuel 2:12
    Now the sons of Eli were corrupt; they did not know the LORD.
  8. Cross References
    Exodus 15:14
    The people will hear and be afraid; Sorrow will take hold of the inhabitants of Philistia.
  9. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 16:13
    Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong.
  10. Cross References
    Judges 13:1
    Again the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD, and the LORD delivered them into the hand of the Philistines for forty years.
    1 Samuel 14:21
    Moreover the Hebrews who were with the Philistines before that time, who went up with them into the camp from the surrounding country, they also joined the Israelites who were with Saul and Jonathan.
  11. Cross References
    Leviticus 26:17
    I will set My face against you, and you shall b...
    Deuteronomy 28:15
    But it shall come to pass, if you do not obey t...
    Deuteronomy 28:25
    The LORD will cause you to be defeated before y...
    1 Samuel 4:2
    Then the Philistines put themselves in battle a...
    2 Samuel 18:17
    And they took Absalom and cast him into a large...
    2 Samuel 19:8
    Then the king arose and sat in the gate. And th...
    2 Kings 14:12
    And Judah was defeated by Israel, and every man...
    2 Chronicles 25:22
    And Judah was defeated by Israel, and every man...
  12. Cross References
    1 Samuel 2:32
    And you will see an enemy in My dwelling place, despite all the good which God does for Israel. And there shall not be an old man in your house forever.
    Psalms 78:60
    So that He forsook the tabernacle of Shiloh, The tent He had placed among men.
    Psalms 78:61
    And delivered His strength into captivity, And His glory into the enemy's hand.
New King James Version (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.
Next Book Next Book