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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>1 Samuel 4:1 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.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/1_samuel/4-1.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/10/09_1Sa_04_01.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="1 Samuel 4:1 - The Philistines Capture the Ark" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Thus the word of Samuel came to all Israel. 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Now the Israelites went out to fight against the Philistines. The Israelites camped at Ebenezer, and the Philistines at Aphek. <a href="/nlt/1_samuel/4.htm">New Living Translation</a> And Samuel’s words went out to all the people of Israel. <a href="/esv/1_samuel/4.htm">English Standard Version</a> And the word of Samuel came to all Israel. Now Israel went out to battle against the Philistines. They encamped at Ebenezer, and the Philistines encamped at Aphek. <a href="/bsb/1_samuel/4.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> 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. <a href="/kjv/1_samuel/4.htm">King James Bible</a> And the word of Samuel came to all Israel. Now Israel went out against the Philistines to battle, and pitched beside Ebenezer: and the Philistines pitched in Aphek. <a href="/nkjv/1_samuel/4.htm">New King James Version</a> And the word of Samuel came to all Israel. Now Israel went out to battle against the Philistines, and encamped beside Ebenezer; and the Philistines encamped in Aphek. <a href="/nasb_/1_samuel/4.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> So the word of Samuel came to all Israel. Now Israel went out to meet the Philistines in battle, and they camped beside Ebenezer, while the Philistines camped in Aphek. <a href="/nasb/1_samuel/4.htm">NASB 1995</a> Thus the word of Samuel came to all Israel. Now Israel went out to meet the Philistines in battle and camped beside Ebenezer while the Philistines camped in Aphek. <a href="/nasb77/1_samuel/4.htm">NASB 1977 </a> Thus the word of Samuel came to all Israel. Now Israel went out to meet the Philistines in battle and camped beside Ebenezer while the Philistines camped in Aphek. <a href="/lsb/1_samuel/4.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> Thus the word of Samuel came to all Israel. Now Israel went out to meet the Philistines in battle and camped beside Ebenezer, and the Philistines camped in Aphek. <a href="/amp/1_samuel/4.htm">Amplified Bible</a> And the word of [the LORD through] Samuel came to all Israel. Now Israel went out to meet the Philistines in battle and they camped beside Ebenezer while the Philistines camped at Aphek. <a href="/csb/1_samuel/4.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> And Samuel’s words came to all Israel. Israel went out to meet the Philistines in battle and camped at Ebenezer while the Philistines camped at Aphek. <a href="/hcsb/1_samuel/4.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> And Samuel&#8217s words came to all Israel. Israel went out to meet the Philistines in battle and camped at Ebenezer while the Philistines camped at Aphek. <a href="/asv/1_samuel/4.htm">American Standard Version</a> And the word of Samuel came to all Israel. Now Israel went out against the Philistines to battle, and encamped beside Eben-ezer: and the Philistines encamped in Aphek. <a href="/cev/1_samuel/4.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> Then Samuel would speak to the whole nation of Israel. One day the Israelites went out to fight the Philistines. They set up camp near Ebenezer, and the Philistines camped at Aphek. <a href="/erv/1_samuel/4.htm">English Revised Version</a> And the word of Samuel came to all Israel. Now Israel went out against the Philistines to battle, and pitched beside Eben-ezer: and the Philistines pitched in Aphek. <a href="/gwt/1_samuel/4.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> Israel went to fight against the Philistines and camped near Ebenezer while the Philistines camped at Aphek. <a href="/gnt/1_samuel/4.htm">Good News Translation</a> At that time the Philistines gathered to go to war against Israel, so the Israelites set out to fight them. The Israelites set up their camp at Ebenezer and the Philistines at Aphek. <a href="/isv/1_samuel/4.htm">International Standard Version</a> What Samuel had to say was directed to all Israel, and Israel went out to engage the Philistines in battle. The Israelis were camped at Ebenezer, while the Philistines were camped at Aphek. <a href="/net/1_samuel/4.htm">NET Bible</a> Samuel revealed the word of the LORD to all Israel. The Ark of the Covenant is Lost to the Philistines Then the Israelites went out to fight the Philistines. They camped at Ebenezer, and the Philistines camped at Aphek. <a href="/nheb/1_samuel/4.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> And Samuel's words came to all Israel. And Eli grew very old, and his sons kept advancing in their wicked behavior before the LORD. And it came to pass in those days that the Philistines gathered themselves together against Israel. And Israel went out to meet them in battle, and camped beside Ebenezer, and the Philistines camped in Aphek. <a href="/wbt/1_samuel/4.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> And the word of Samuel came to all Israel. Now Israel went out against the Philistines to battle, and encamped beside Eben-ezer: and the Philistines encamped in Aphek.<div class="vheading2">Majority Text Translations</div><a href="/msb/1_samuel/4.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> 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. <a href="/web/1_samuel/4.htm">World English Bible</a> The word of Samuel came to all Israel. Now Israel went out against the Philistines to battle, and encamped beside Ebenezer; and the Philistines encamped in Aphek. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/1_samuel/4.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> And the word of Samuel is to all Israel, and Israel goes out to meet the Philistines for battle, and they encamp by Eben-Ezer, and the Philistines have encamped in Aphek, <a href="/ylt/1_samuel/4.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> And the word of Samuel is to all Israel, and Israel goeth out to meet the Philistines for battle, and they encamp by Eben-Ezer, and the Philistines have encamped in Aphek, <a href="/slt/1_samuel/4.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And the word of Samuel will be to all Israel. And Israel will go forth to the meeting of Philisteim for war, and they will encamp upon the Stone of Help: and Philisteim encamped in Aphek.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/1_samuel/4.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> And it came to pass in those days, that the Philistines gathered themselves together to fight: and Israel went out to war against the Philistines, and camped by the Stone of help. And the Philistines came to Aphec, <a href="/cpdv/1_samuel/4.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> And it happened that, in those days, the Philistines assembled to fight. And Israel went out to meet the Philistines in battle, and he made camp beside the Stone of Assistance. But the Philistines went to Aphek, <a href="/nabre/1_samuel/4.htm">New American Bible</a> At that time, the Philistines gathered for an attack on Israel. Israel went out to engage them in battle and camped at Ebenezer, while the Philistines camped at Aphek. <a href="/nrsvce/1_samuel/4.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> And the word of Samuel came to all Israel. In those days the Philistines mustered for war against Israel, and Israel went out to battle against them; they encamped at Ebenezer, and the Philistines encamped at Aphek. <div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/1_samuel/4.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> AND the word of Samuel came to all Israel. Now Israel went out against the Philistines to battle, and encamped by the Rock of Help; and the Philistines encamped at Aphek. <a href="/hpbt/1_samuel/4.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> And the word of Shemueil was over all Israel, and Israel went out to a meeting of the Philistines for battle, and they camped on Keepha d’Eudrana – “The Rock of Help” and the Philistines camped in Apheq<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/1_samuel/4.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> And the word of Samuel came to all Israel. Now Israel went out against the Philistines to battle, and pitched beside Eben-ezer; and the Philistines pitched in Aphek. <a href="/sep/1_samuel/4.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> And it came to pass in those days that the Philistines gathered themselves together against Israel to war; and Israel went out to meet them and encamped at Abenezer, and the Philistines encamped in Aphec. <a href="/parallel/1_samuel/4-1.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/H8oQfYUMRZg?start=948" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/1_samuel/4.htm">The Philistines Capture the Ark</a> 1<a href="/hebrew/1697.htm" title="1697: ḏə·ḇar- (N-msc) -- Speech, word. From dabar; a word; by implication, a matter or thing; adverbially, a cause.">Thus the word</a> <a href="/hebrew/8050.htm" title="8050: šə·mū·’êl (N-proper-ms) -- Name of God, a prophet of Isr. From the passive participle of shama' and 'el; heard of God; Shemuel, the name of three Israelites.">of Samuel</a> <a href="/hebrew/1961.htm" title="1961: way·hî (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To fall out, come to pass, become, be. A primitive root; to exist, i.e. Be or become, come to pass.">came</a> <a href="/hebrew/3605.htm" title="3605: lə·ḵāl (Prep-l:: N-msc) -- The whole, all. Or kowl; from kalal; properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every.">to all</a> <a href="/hebrew/3478.htm" title="3478: yiś·rā·’êl (N-proper-ms) -- From sarah and 'el; he will rule as God; Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also of his posterity.">Israel.</a> <a href="/hebrew/3478.htm" title="3478: yiś·rā·’êl (N-proper-ms) -- From sarah and 'el; he will rule as God; Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also of his posterity.">Now the Israelites</a> <a href="/hebrew/3318.htm" title="3318: way·yê·ṣê (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- A primitive root; to go out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim.">went out</a> <a href="/hebrew/7122.htm" title="7122: liq·raṯ (Prep-l:: V-Qal-Inf) -- To encounter, befall. A primitive root: to encounter, whether accidentally or in a hostile manner.">to meet</a> <a href="/hebrew/6430.htm" title="6430: pə·liš·tîm (N-proper-mp) -- Inhab. of Philistia. Patrial from Plesheth; a Pelishtite or inhabitant of Pelesheth.">the Philistines</a> <a href="/hebrew/4421.htm" title="4421: lam·mil·ḥā·māh (Prep-l, Art:: N-fs) -- A battle, war. From lacham; a battle; generally, war.">in battle</a> <a href="/hebrew/2583.htm" title="2583: way·ya·ḥă·nū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- A primitive root; properly, to incline; by implication, to decline; specifically, to pitch a tent; gen. To encamp.">and camped</a> <a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: ‘al- (Prep) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications.">at</a> <a href="/hebrew/72.htm" title="72: hā·’e·ḇenFrom 'eben and ezer with the article inserted; stone of the help; Eben-ha-Ezer, a place in Palestine."></a> <a href="/hebrew/72.htm" title="72: hā·‘ê·zer (Art:: N-proper-fs) -- From 'eben and ezer with the article inserted; stone of the help; Eben-ha-Ezer, a place in Palestine.">Ebenezer,</a> <a href="/hebrew/6430.htm" title="6430: ū·p̄ə·liš·tîm (Conj-w:: N-proper-mp) -- Inhab. of Philistia. Patrial from Plesheth; a Pelishtite or inhabitant of Pelesheth.">while the Philistines</a> <a href="/hebrew/2583.htm" title="2583: ḥā·nū (V-Qal-Perf-3cp) -- A primitive root; properly, to incline; by implication, to decline; specifically, to pitch a tent; gen. To encamp.">camped</a> <a href="/hebrew/663.htm" title="663: ḇa·’ă·p̄êq (Prep-b:: N-proper-fs) -- Or raphiyq; from 'aphaq; fortress; Aphek, the name of three places in Palestine.">at Aphek.</a> 2The 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.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/joshua/4-14.htm">Joshua 4:14</a> On that day the LORD exalted Joshua in the sight of all Israel, and they revered him all the days of his life, just as they had revered Moses. <a href="/judges/2-6.htm">Judges 2:6-7</a> After Joshua had dismissed the people, the Israelites went out to take possession of the land, each to his own inheritance. / And the people served the LORD throughout the days of Joshua and of the elders who outlived him, who had seen all the great works that the LORD had done for Israel. <a href="/1_samuel/3-19.htm">1 Samuel 3:19-21</a> And Samuel grew, and the LORD was with him, and He let none of Samuel’s words fall to the ground. / So all Israel from Dan to Beersheba knew that Samuel was confirmed as a prophet of the LORD. / And the LORD continued to appear at Shiloh, because there He revealed Himself to Samuel by His word. <a href="/1_samuel/7-3.htm">1 Samuel 7:3-4</a> Then Samuel said to all the house of Israel, “If you are returning to the LORD with all your hearts, then put away the foreign gods and Ashtoreths among you, prepare your hearts for the LORD, and serve Him only. And He will deliver you from the hand of the Philistines.” / So the Israelites put away the Baals and Ashtoreths and served only the LORD. <a href="/1_samuel/12-1.htm">1 Samuel 12:1-2</a> Then Samuel said to all Israel, “I have listened to your voice in all that you have said to me, and I have set over you a king. / Now here is the king walking before you, and I am old and gray, and my sons are here with you. I have walked before you from my youth until this day. <a href="/1_samuel/13-3.htm">1 Samuel 13:3-4</a> Then Jonathan attacked the Philistine outpost at Geba, and the Philistines heard about it. So Saul blew the ram’s horn throughout the land, saying, “Let the Hebrews hear!” / And all Israel heard the news: “Saul has attacked an outpost of the Philistines, and now Israel has become a stench to the Philistines!” Then the people were summoned to join Saul at Gilgal. <a href="/1_samuel/14-47.htm">1 Samuel 14:47-48</a> After Saul had assumed the kingship over Israel, he fought against all his enemies on every side—the Moabites, the Ammonites, the Edomites, the kings of Zobah, and the Philistines. Wherever he turned, he routed them. / He fought valiantly and defeated the Amalekites, delivering Israel from the hands of its plunderers. <a href="/1_samuel/17-1.htm">1 Samuel 17:1</a> Now the Philistines gathered their forces for war at Socoh in Judah, and they camped between Socoh and Azekah in Ephes-dammim. <a href="/1_samuel/28-1.htm">1 Samuel 28:1</a> Now in those days the Philistines gathered their forces for warfare against Israel. So Achish said to David, “You must understand that you and your men are to go out to battle with me.” <a href="/2_samuel/5-17.htm">2 Samuel 5:17-18</a> When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over Israel, they all went in search of him; but David learned of this and went down to the stronghold. / Now the Philistines had come and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim. <a href="/2_kings/18-8.htm">2 Kings 18:8</a> He defeated the Philistines as far as Gaza and its borders, from watchtower to fortified city. <a href="/psalms/78-9.htm">Psalm 78:9-11</a> The archers of Ephraim turned back on the day of battle. / They failed to keep God’s covenant and refused to live by His law. / They forgot what He had done, the wonders He had shown them. <a href="/isaiah/9-12.htm">Isaiah 9:12</a> Aram from the east and Philistia from the west have devoured Israel with open mouths. Despite all this, His anger is not turned away; His hand is still upraised. <a href="/jeremiah/7-12.htm">Jeremiah 7:12</a> But go now to the place in Shiloh where I first made a dwelling for My Name, and see what I did to it because of the wickedness of My people Israel. <a href="/hosea/5-8.htm">Hosea 5:8-9</a> Blow the ram’s horn in Gibeah, the trumpet in Ramah; raise the battle cry in Beth-aven: Lead on, O Benjamin! / Ephraim will be laid waste on the day of rebuke. Among the tribes of Israel I proclaim what is certain.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>And the word of Samuel came to all Israel. Now Israel went out against the Philistines to battle, and pitched beside Ebenezer: and the Philistines pitched in Aphek.A.<a href="/1_samuel/3-11.htm">1 Samuel 3:11</a> And the LORD said to Samuel, Behold, I will do a thing in Israel, at which both the ears of every one that heareth it shall tingle.Eben-ezer.<a href="/1_samuel/5-1.htm">1 Samuel 5:1</a> And the Philistines took the ark of God, and brought it from Ebenezer unto Ashdod.<a href="/1_samuel/7-12.htm">1 Samuel 7:12</a> Then Samuel took a stone, and set it between Mizpeh and Shen, and called the name of it Ebenezer, saying, Hitherto hath the LORD helped us.<a href="/joshua/15-53.htm">Joshua 15:53</a> And Janum, and Bethtappuah, and Aphekah,<a href="/1_samuel/29-1.htm">1 Samuel 29:1</a> Now the Philistines gathered together all their armies to Aphek: and the Israelites pitched by a fountain which is in Jezreel.<a href="/joshua/19-30.htm">Joshua 19:30</a> Ummah also, and Aphek, and Rehob: twenty and two cities with their villages.<a href="/1_kings/20-30.htm">1 Kings 20:30</a> But the rest fled to Aphek, into the city; and there a wall fell upon twenty and seven thousand of the men that were left. And Benhadad fled, and came into the city, into an inner chamber.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/judges/1-31.htm">Aphek</a> <a href="/judges/21-22.htm">Battle</a> <a href="/judges/20-19.htm">Camped</a> <a href="/1_samuel/7-12.htm">Ebenezer</a> <a href="/1_samuel/7-12.htm">Eben-Ezer</a> <a href="/1_samuel/7-12.htm">Ebene'zer</a> <a href="/judges/20-19.htm">Encamp</a> <a href="/judges/20-19.htm">Encamped</a> <a href="/1_samuel/3-20.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/1_samuel/2-14.htm">Israelites</a> <a href="/ruth/2-22.htm">Meet</a> <a href="/judges/16-30.htm">Philistines</a> <a href="/judges/20-19.htm">Pitched</a> <a href="/judges/20-22.htm">Position</a> <a href="/1_samuel/3-21.htm">Samuel</a> <a href="/1_samuel/3-8.htm">Samuel's</a> <a href="/1_samuel/3-15.htm">Time</a> <a href="/ruth/2-17.htm">Together</a> <a href="/1_samuel/2-4.htm">War</a> <a href="/1_samuel/3-21.htm">Word</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/1_samuel/29-1.htm">Aphek</a> <a href="/1_samuel/4-2.htm">Battle</a> <a href="/1_samuel/13-16.htm">Camped</a> <a href="/1_samuel/5-1.htm">Ebenezer</a> <a href="/1_samuel/5-1.htm">Eben-Ezer</a> <a href="/1_samuel/5-1.htm">Ebene'zer</a> <a href="/1_samuel/17-1.htm">Encamp</a> <a href="/1_samuel/11-1.htm">Encamped</a> <a href="/1_samuel/4-2.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/1_samuel/4-10.htm">Israelites</a> <a href="/1_samuel/4-2.htm">Meet</a> <a href="/1_samuel/4-2.htm">Philistines</a> <a href="/1_samuel/13-5.htm">Pitched</a> <a href="/1_samuel/11-1.htm">Position</a> <a href="/1_samuel/7-3.htm">Samuel</a> <a href="/1_samuel/7-13.htm">Samuel's</a> <a href="/1_samuel/4-20.htm">Time</a> <a href="/1_samuel/5-8.htm">Together</a> <a href="/1_samuel/8-12.htm">War</a> <a href="/1_samuel/9-10.htm">Word</a><div class="vheading2">1 Samuel 4</div>1. <a href="/1_samuel/4-1.htm">The Israelites are overcome by the Philistines at Ebenezer</a> 3. <a href="/1_samuel/4-3.htm">They fetch the ark unto the terror of the Philistines</a> 10. <a href="/1_samuel/4-10.htm">They are smitten again, the ark taken, and Hophni and Phinehas are slain</a> 12. <a href="/1_samuel/4-12.htm">Eli at the news, falling backward, breaks his neck</a> 19. <a href="/1_samuel/4-19.htm">Phinehas's wife, discouraged in her travail with Ichabod, dies</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/1_samuel/4.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/1_samuel/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/1_samuel/4.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>Thus the word of Samuel came to all Israel. Samuel, as a prophet and judge, was a pivotal figure in Israel's history. His role was to communicate God's will to the people. This phrase indicates that Samuel's influence and authority were recognized throughout Israel, marking a transition from the period of the judges to the establishment of the monarchy. The "word of Samuel" signifies divine guidance, as Samuel was known for his faithfulness to God. This widespread acceptance of his message underscores the unity and centralization of Israel under his leadership.Now the Israelites went out to meet the Philistines in battle The Philistines were a significant threat to Israel during this period, often engaging in conflicts over territory and dominance. This phrase sets the stage for a series of battles that would define the relationship between the two groups. The Israelites' decision to confront the Philistines indicates their desire to assert control and protect their land. Historically, the Philistines were known for their advanced military technology, including iron weapons, which posed a challenge to the Israelites.and camped at Ebenezer Ebenezer, meaning "stone of help," is a location that later becomes significant in Israel's history. It is associated with a subsequent victory over the Philistines, where Samuel sets up a stone to commemorate God's assistance (<a href="/1_samuel/7-12.htm">1 Samuel 7:12</a>). At this point in the narrative, however, Ebenezer is simply a strategic military encampment. The choice of this location reflects the Israelites' hope for divine intervention in their struggle against the Philistines.while the Philistines camped at Aphek. Aphek was a city located in the northern part of Philistine territory, often associated with military campaigns. Its strategic position made it a frequent site for battles. The Philistines' encampment at Aphek suggests their readiness and organization for war. This location is significant in biblical history, as it is mentioned in other contexts of conflict between Israel and its enemies (e.g., <a href="/joshua/12-18.htm">Joshua 12:18</a>). The juxtaposition of the two camps highlights the impending confrontation and the ongoing struggle for dominance in the region.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/s/samuel.htm">Samuel</a> A prophet and judge of Israel, whose words were recognized as coming from the Lord. His leadership marked a transition from the period of judges to the establishment of monarchy in Israel. 2. <a href="/topical/i/israel.htm">Israel</a> The nation chosen by God, consisting of the twelve tribes. At this time, they were in conflict with the Philistines, a neighboring people. 3. <a href="/topical/p/philistines.htm">Philistines</a> A significant enemy of Israel during this period, known for their military prowess and frequent conflicts with the Israelites. 4. <a href="/topical/e/ebenezer.htm">Ebenezer</a> The location where the Israelites camped. The name means "stone of help," which later becomes significant in Israel's history as a symbol of God's assistance. 5. <a href="/topical/a/aphek.htm">Aphek</a> The location where the Philistines camped. It was a strategic site for military engagements.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_god's_word.htm">The Importance of God's Word</a> Samuel's role as a prophet highlights the necessity of listening to and obeying God's word. In our lives, we should prioritize seeking and adhering to divine guidance. <a href="/topical/s/spiritual_preparation_for_battles.htm">Spiritual Preparation for Battles</a> Just as Israel prepared for physical battle, we must prepare spiritually for the challenges we face, ensuring we are aligned with God's will. <a href="/topical/r/recognizing_god's_help.htm">Recognizing God's Help</a> The name Ebenezer reminds us to acknowledge and remember God's assistance in our lives. We should regularly reflect on and give thanks for His help. <a href="/topical/u/understanding_our_adversaries.htm">Understanding Our Adversaries</a> Knowing the nature of our spiritual adversaries, as Israel knew the Philistines, helps us to be vigilant and prepared in our spiritual walk. <a href="/topical/t/the_consequences_of_disobedience.htm">The Consequences of Disobedience</a> The broader account of <a href="/bsb/1_samuel/4.htm">1 Samuel 4</a> shows the consequences of Israel's disobedience. We must strive to live in obedience to God to avoid similar pitfalls.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_1_samuel_4.htm">Top 10 Lessons from 1 Samuel 4</a> <a href="/q/could_one_city_wall_kill_27,000_men.htm">Could a single city wall realistically collapse and kill 27,000 men, as the text asserts (1 Kings 20:30)? </a> <a href="/q/how_did_thunder_aid_victory_in_1_sam_7_10.htm">How can the thunder in 1 Samuel 7:10 be scientifically explained as a decisive factor in a military victory? </a> <a href="/q/what_does_ebenezer_mean.htm">What does Ebenezer mean?</a> <a href="/q/what_are_the_key_events_in_1_samuel.htm">What are the key events in 1 Samuel?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/1_samuel/4.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(1) And the word of Samuel.--To which portion of the narrative does this statement belong? Is it part of that account of the Lord's dealings with Samuel which closed the preceding chapter? Does it close that brief narrative which tells of the Divine voice which called to, and the vision seen by, the young chosen servant of the Highest, with a note simply relating how the word of the boy-prophet was received through the varied tribes of the people? Or does it tell us that at Samuel's word--that is, acting under his advice--Israel commenced this new disastrous war with the Philistines? By adopting the first supposition, which understands the words as a general statement respecting Samuel's influence in Israel, the grave difficulty of supposing that Samuel was mistaken in his first advice to the people is, of course, removed; but then we have to explain the separation of this clause from the preceding section in chapter 3, to which it would appear so naturally to belong; we have also to account for the exceeding abruptness with which the announcement of the war with the Philistines follows the clause respecting the "word of Samuel." The Speaker's Commentary attempts to solve the problem by suggesting as "the cause of the abruptness" that the account of the battle probably is extracted from some other book in which it came in naturally and consecutively, and that it was here introduced for the sake of exhibiting the fulfilment of Samuel's prophecy concerning Eli's family. Evidently, however, the Hebrew revisers of Samuel did not so understand the clause. They have placed the notice of Samuel's words coming to all Israel as introducing the narrative of the battle.The compiler of the book, in his relation of the young prophet's error, touches upon an important feature of his great life. Anarchy and confusion had long prevailed throughout the tribes, and none of the hero Judges who had as yet been raised to power had succeeded in restoring the stern, rigid form of theocracy which had made the Israel of Moses and Joshua so great and powerful. The high qualities which in his prime had, no doubt, raised Eli to the first place in the nation, in his old age were almost totally obscured by a weak affection for his unworthy sons. A terrible picture of the corruption of the priesthood is presented to us during the last period of Eli's reign. We can well imagine what the ordinary life of many among the people, with such an example from their religious guides and temporal governors, must have been. Individual instances of piety and loyalty to the God of their fathers, such as we see-in the house of Elkanah, even though such instances were not unfrequent of themselves, would have been totally insufficient to preserve the nation from the decay which always follows impiety and corruption. In this period of moral degradation the Philistines, part of the original inhabitants of the land, a warlike and enterprising race, taking advantage of the internal jealousies and the weaknesses of Israel, made themselves supreme in many portions of the land, treating the former conquerors often with harshness, and even with contempt.Samuel grew up to manhood in the midst of this state of things. He was conscious that the invisible King, forgotten by so many of the nation, had chosen him to be the restorer of the chosen people. The boy-prophet, as he passed out of childhood into manhood, does not appear at first to have recognised the depth of moral degradation into which Israel had sunk, or to have seen that it was utterly hopeless to attempt to free the people from the yoke of their Philistine foes until something like a pure national religion was restored. Samuel and the nobler spirits in Israel, who thirsted to restore their nation to freedom and to purity, needed a sharp and bitter experience before they could successfully attempt the deliverance of the people; so the first call to arms resulted in utter disaster, and the defeat at Aphek--the result, we believe, of the summons of Samuel--was the prelude to the crushing blow to the pride of Israel which soon after deprived them of their leaders, their choicest warriors, and, above all, of their loved and cherished "Ark of the Covenant," the earthly throne of their unseen King, the symbol of His ever-presence in their midst.And pitched beside Eben-ezer.--"The stones of help." The name was not given to the place until later, when Samuel set up a stone to commemorate a victory he gained, some twenty years after, over the Philistines.In Aphek.--With the article, "the fortress." Perhaps the same place as the old Canaauitish royal city Aphek.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/1_samuel/4.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 1. - And the word of Samuel... all Israel. This clause is rightly connected with the foregoing verse of the previous chapter in the Syriac and Vulgate. Attached to the fourth chapter, it gives a wrong sense, namely, that Samuel gave the command for the assembling of all Israel for battle with the Philistines. This is so plainly erroneous that the A.V. dissents from it by translating the and in the next clause by now. Joined to the previous chapter, it gives the true meaning. Because Samuel spake by the word of Jehovah, therefore his word came to all Israel, that is, it was a binding and authoritative command throughout the whole land; or, in other words, when Samuel was acknowledged to be Jehovah's prophet he also became the virtual judge of Israel, though probably he did not act with full authority until after Eli's death. DEFEAT OF ISRAEL AND CAPTURE OF THE ARK (vers. 1-11). Now Israel - rather. And Israel - went out against the Philistines. During the declining years of Eli, the yoke of the Philistines, which apparently had been shaken off in his manhood, began once again to press heavily upon the neck of Israel. But Israel was still strong enough to make valiant resistance, provoked apparently by the Philistines invading the land, as we find that they had pitched, i.e. encamped, in Aphok. As Aphek means a fortress, many places bear the name; but the position of the Philistine camp is fixed by its being near both to Eben-ezer and to Mizpah, and probably, therefore, it was the Aphek in Judah (<a href="/joshua/12-18.htm">Joshua 12:18</a>). Eben-ezer, the stone of help, had not as yet received this name (see <a href="/1_samuel/7-12.htm">1 Samuel 7:12</a>); and apparently it was not a town, but a monument set up m an open plain fit for the purposes of war, and which up to this time had. no specific appellation. <a href="/commentaries/1_samuel/4-1.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>Thus the word דְבַר־ (ḏə·ḇar-) Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1697.htm">Strong's 1697: </a> A word, a matter, thing, a cause of Samuel שְׁמוּאֵ֖ל (šə·mū·’êl) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8050.htm">Strong's 8050: </a> Samuel -- 'name of God', a prophet of Israel came וַיְהִ֥י (way·hî) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1961.htm">Strong's 1961: </a> To fall out, come to pass, become, be to all לְכָל־ (lə·ḵāl) Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3605.htm">Strong's 3605: </a> The whole, all, any, every Israel. יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל (yiś·rā·’êl) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3478.htm">Strong's 3478: </a> Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc Now the Israelites יִשְׂרָאֵל֩ (yiś·rā·’êl) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3478.htm">Strong's 3478: </a> Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc went out וַיֵּצֵ֣א (way·yê·ṣê) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3318.htm">Strong's 3318: </a> To go, bring, out, direct and proxim to meet לִקְרַ֨את (liq·raṯ) Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7122.htm">Strong's 7122: </a> To encounter, befall the Philistines פְּלִשְׁתִּ֜ים (pə·liš·tîm) Noun - proper - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6430.htm">Strong's 6430: </a> Philistines -- inhabitants of Philistia in battle לַמִּלְחָמָ֗ה (lam·mil·ḥā·māh) Preposition-l, Article | Noun - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4421.htm">Strong's 4421: </a> A battle, war and camped וַֽיַּחֲנוּ֙ (way·ya·ḥă·nū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2583.htm">Strong's 2583: </a> To incline, to decline, to pitch a, tent, gen, to encamp at עַל־ (‘al-) Preposition <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5921.htm">Strong's 5921: </a> Above, over, upon, against Ebenezer, הָעֵ֔זֶר (hā·‘ê·zer) Article | Noun - proper - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_72.htm">Strong's 72: </a> Ebenezer -- 'stone of the help', a place of uncertain location, also a commemorative stone while the Philistines וּפְלִשְׁתִּ֖ים (ū·p̄ə·liš·tîm) Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6430.htm">Strong's 6430: </a> Philistines -- inhabitants of Philistia camped חָנ֥וּ (ḥā·nū) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2583.htm">Strong's 2583: </a> To incline, to decline, to pitch a, tent, gen, to encamp at Aphek. בַאֲפֵֽק׃ (ḇa·’ă·p̄êq) Preposition-b | Noun - proper - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_663.htm">Strong's 663: </a> Aphek -- perhaps 'fortress', the name of several places in Palestine <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/1_samuel/4-1.htm">1 Samuel 4:1 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/1_samuel/4-1.htm">1 Samuel 4:1 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/1_samuel/4-1.htm">1 Samuel 4:1 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/1_samuel/4-1.htm">1 Samuel 4:1 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/1_samuel/4-1.htm">1 Samuel 4:1 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/1_samuel/4-1.htm">1 Samuel 4:1 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/1_samuel/4-1.htm">1 Samuel 4:1 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/1_samuel/4-1.htm">1 Samuel 4:1 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/1_samuel/4-1.htm">1 Samuel 4:1 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/1_samuel/4-1.htm">1 Samuel 4:1 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/1_samuel/4-1.htm">OT History: 1 Samuel 4:1 The word of Samuel came to all (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/1_samuel/3-21.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="1 Samuel 3:21"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="1 Samuel 3:21" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/1_samuel/4-2.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="1 Samuel 4:2"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="1 Samuel 4:2" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>