1 Samuel 14:18

¹⁶ Now when Saul’s watchmen at Gibeah in Benjamin looked and saw the troops melting away and scattering in every direction,

¹⁷ Saul said to the troops who were with him, “Call the roll and see who has left us.” And when they had called the roll, they saw that Jonathan and his armor-bearer were not there.

Then Saul said to Ahijah, “Bring the ark of God.” (For at that time it was with the Israelites.)

¹⁹ While Saul was talking to the priest, the commotion in the Philistine camp continued to increase. So Saul said to the priest, “Withdraw your hand.”

²⁰ Then Saul and all his troops assembled and marched to the battle, and they found the Philistines in total confusion, with each man wielding the sword against his neighbor.

Here the Bible tells a story about someone else. Ask yourself what it can say to us today. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB: Then Saul said to Ahijah, “Bring the ark of God.” (For at that time it was with the Israelites.)
KJV: And Saul said unto Ahiah, Bring hither the ark of God. For the ark of God was at that time with the children of Israel.
WEB: Saul said to Ahijah, “Bring God’s ark here.” For God’s ark was with the children of Israel at that time.
ASV: And Saul said unto Ahijah, Bring hither the ark of God. For the ark of God was [there] at that time with the children of Israel.
DARBY: And Saul said to Ahijah, Bring hither the ark of God. For the ark of God was at that time with the children of Israel.
BLB: And Saul said to Ahijah, “Bring here the ark of God.” (For the ark of God was at that time with the sons of Israel.)

ÅB: Da sa Saul til Akia: Kom hit med Guds ark! Guds ark var på den tid der blant Israels barn.
OTB: Så sa Saul til Akia: «Bring Guds ark hit.» For Guds ark var på den tiden med Israels sønner.
B1930: Da sa Saul til Akia: Kom hit med Guds ark! Guds ark var på den tid der blandt Israels barn.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

Judges 20:18
The Israelites set out, went up to Bethel, and inquired of God, “Who of us shall go up first to fight against the Benjamites?” “Judah will be first,” the LORD replied.
Read in context
Judges 20:27–28
And the Israelites inquired of the LORD. (In those days the ark of the covenant of God was there,
Read in context
1 Samuel 4:3–5
When the troops returned to the camp, the elders of Israel asked, “Why has the LORD brought defeat on us before the Philistines today? Let us bring the ark of the covenant of the LORD from Shiloh, so that it may go with us to save us from the hand of our enemies.”
Read in context
1 Samuel 7:1
Then the men of Kiriath-jearim came for the ark of the LORD and took it into Abinadab’s house on the hill. And they consecrated his son Eleazar to guard the ark of the LORD.
Read in context
Judges 20:23
They went up and wept before the LORD until evening, inquiring of Him, “Should we again draw near for battle against our brothers the Benjamites?” And the LORD answered, “Go up against them.”
Read in context
2 Samuel 15:24–26
Zadok was also there, and all the Levites with him were carrying the ark of the covenant of God. And they set down the ark of God, and Abiathar offered sacrifices until the people had passed out of the city.
Read in context
2 Samuel 11:11
Uriah answered, “The ark and Israel and Judah are dwelling in tents, and my master Joab and his soldiers are camped in the open field. How can I go to my house to eat and drink and sleep with my wife? As surely as you live, and as your soul lives, I will not do such a thing!”
Read in context
1 Samuel 30:7–8
Then David said to Abiathar the priest, the son of Ahimelech, “Bring me the ephod.” So Abiathar brought it to him,
Read in context