1 Samuel 4:2

1 Thus the word of Samuel came to all Israel. Now the Israelites went out to meet the Philistines in battle and camped at Ebenezer, while the Philistines camped at Aphek.

The Philistines arrayed themselves against Israel, and as the battle spread, Israel was defeated by the Philistines, who struck down about four thousand men on the battlefield.

3 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.”

4 So the people sent men to Shiloh, and they brought back the ark of the covenant of the LORD of Hosts, who sits enthroned between the cherubim. And the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were there with the ark of the covenant of God.

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
The Philistines arrayed themselves against Israel, and as the battle spread, Israel was defeated by the Philistines, who struck down about four thousand men on the battlefield.
KJV
And the Philistines put themselves in array against Israel: and when they joined battle, Israel was smitten before the Philistines: and they slew of the army in the field about four thousand men.
WEB
The Philistines put themselves in array against Israel. When they joined battle, Israel was defeated by the Philistines, who killed about four thousand men of the army in the field.
ASV
And the Philistines put themselves in array against Israel: and when they joined battle, Israel was smitten before the Philistines; and they slew of the army in the field about four thousand men.
DARBY
And the Philistines put themselves in array against Israel; and the battle spread, and Israel was routed before the Philistines; and they slew in battle array in the field about four thousand men.
BLB
And the Philistines arrayed themselves against Israel, and the battle spread, and Israel was defeated by the Philistines, and they struck down among the ranks in the field about four thousand men.
ÅB
Og filistrene stilte seg i fylking mot Israel, og striden bredte seg ut, og Israel ble slått av filistrene; og filistrene felte på slagmarken omkring fire tusen mann.
OTB
Filisterne ordnet sine styrker for å konfrontere Israel, og da slaget utspilte seg, ble Israel overvunnet av filisterne, som drepte omkring fire tusen menn på slagmarken.
B1930
Og filistrene stilte sig i fylking mot Israel, og striden bredte sig ut, og Israel blev slått av filistrene; og filistrene felte på slagmarken omkring fire tusen mann.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Lamentations 3:40

    Let us examine and test our ways, and turn back to the LORD.

    Read in context
  • Psalms 44:9–10

    But You have rejected and humbled us; You no longer go forth with our armies.

    Read in context
  • Joshua 7:12

    This is why the Israelites cannot stand against their enemies. They will turn their backs and run from their enemies, because they themselves have been set apart for destruction. I will no longer be with you unless you remove from among you whatever is devoted to destruction.

    Read in context
  • 1 Samuel 17:8

    And Goliath stood and shouted to the ranks of Israel, “Why do you come out and array yourselves for battle? Am I not a Philistine, and are you not servants of Saul? Choose one of your men and have him come down against me.

    Read in context
  • Joshua 7:5–8

    And the men of Ai struck down about thirty-six of them, chasing them from the gate as far as the quarries and striking them down on the slopes. So the hearts of the people melted and became like water.

    Read in context
  • Psalms 106:40–41

    So the anger of the LORD burned against His people, and He abhorred His own inheritance.

    Read in context
  • Psalms 79:7–8

    for they have devoured Jacob and devastated his homeland.

    Read in context
  • 1 Samuel 17:21

    And Israel and the Philistines arrayed in formation against each other.

    Read in context