CINXE.COM

<!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 4:17 The messenger answered, "Israel has fled before the Philistines, and there has been a great slaughter among the people. Your two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, are both dead, and the ark of God has been captured."</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/1_samuel/4-17.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/8/09_1Sa_04_17.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="1 Samuel 4:17 - The Death of Eli" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="The messenger answered, Israel has fled before the Philistines, and there has been a great slaughter among the people. Your two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, are both dead, and the ark of God has been captured." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/1_samuel/4-17.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/1_samuel/4-17.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/1_samuel/">1 Samuel</a> > <a href="/1_samuel/4.htm">Chapter 4</a> > Verse 17</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad17.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/1_samuel/4-16.htm" title="1 Samuel 4:16">◄</a> 1 Samuel 4:17 <a href="/1_samuel/4-18.htm" title="1 Samuel 4:18">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/1_samuel/4.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/1_samuel/4.htm">New International Version</a> The man who brought the news replied, &#8220Israel fled before the Philistines, and the army has suffered heavy losses. Also your two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, are dead, and the ark of God has been captured.&#8221 <a href="/nlt/1_samuel/4.htm">New Living Translation</a> “Israel has been defeated by the Philistines,” the messenger replied. “The people have been slaughtered, and your two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, were also killed. And the Ark of God has been captured.” <a href="/esv/1_samuel/4.htm">English Standard Version</a> He who brought the news answered and said, “Israel has fled before the Philistines, and there has also been a great defeat among the people. Your two sons also, Hophni and Phinehas, are dead, and the ark of God has been captured.” <a href="/bsb/1_samuel/4.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> The messenger answered, “Israel has fled before the Philistines, and there has been a great slaughter among the people. Your two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, are both dead, and the ark of God has been captured.” <a href="/kjv/1_samuel/4.htm">King James Bible</a> And the messenger answered and said, Israel is fled before the Philistines, and there hath been also a great slaughter among the people, and thy two sons also, Hophni and Phinehas, are dead, and the ark of God is taken. <a href="/nkjv/1_samuel/4.htm">New King James Version</a> So the messenger answered and said, “Israel has fled before the Philistines, and there has been a great slaughter among the people. Also your two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, are dead; and the ark of God has been captured.” <a href="/nasb_/1_samuel/4.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> Then the one who brought the news replied, “Israel has fled before the Philistines and there has also been a great defeat among the people, and your two sons, Hophni and Phinehas are also dead; and the ark of God has been taken.” <a href="/nasb/1_samuel/4.htm">NASB 1995</a> Then the one who brought the news replied, &#8220Israel has fled before the Philistines and there has also been a great slaughter among the people, and your two sons also, Hophni and Phinehas, are dead, and the ark of God has been taken.&#8221 <a href="/nasb77/1_samuel/4.htm">NASB 1977 </a> Then the one who brought the news answered and said, “Israel has fled before the Philistines and there has also been a great slaughter among the people, and your two sons also, Hophni and Phinehas, are dead, and the ark of God has been taken.” <a href="/lsb/1_samuel/4.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> Then the one who brought the news answered and said, “Israel has fled before the Philistines, and there has also been a great slaughter among the people, and your two sons also, Hophni and Phinehas, are dead, and the ark of God has been taken.” <a href="/amp/1_samuel/4.htm">Amplified Bible</a> The messenger replied, “Israel has fled before the Philistines and there has also been a great slaughter among the people. Also your two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, are dead, and the ark of God has been taken.” <a href="/csb/1_samuel/4.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> The messenger answered, “Israel has fled from the Philistines, and also there was a great slaughter among the people. Your two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, are both dead, and the ark of God has been captured.” <a href="/hcsb/1_samuel/4.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> The messenger answered, &#8220Israel has fled from the Philistines, and also there was a great slaughter among the people. Your two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, are both dead, and the ark of God has been captured.&#8221 <a href="/asv/1_samuel/4.htm">American Standard Version</a> And he that brought the tidings answered and said, Israel is fled before the Philistines, and there hath been also a great slaughter among the people, and thy two sons also, Hophni and Phinehas, are dead, and the ark of God is taken. <a href="/cev/1_samuel/4.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> "Israel ran away from the Philistines," the soldier answered. "Many of our people were killed, including your two sons, Hophni and Phinehas. But worst of all, the sacred chest was captured." <a href="/erv/1_samuel/4.htm">English Revised Version</a> And he that brought the tidings answered and said, Israel is fled before the Philistines, and there hath been also a great slaughter among the people, and thy two sons also, Hophni and Phinehas, are dead, and the ark of God is taken. <a href="/gwt/1_samuel/4.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> "Israel fled from the Philistines," the messenger answered. "Our troops suffered heavy casualties. Your two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, also are dead, and the ark of God has been captured." <a href="/gnt/1_samuel/4.htm">Good News Translation</a> The messenger answered, "Israel ran away from the Philistines; it was a terrible defeat for us! Besides that, your sons Hophni and Phinehas were killed, and God's Covenant Box was captured!" <a href="/isv/1_samuel/4.htm">International Standard Version</a> The messenger answered, "Israel fled from the Philistines and the people suffered a great defeat as well. Moreover, your two sons, Hophni and Phineas, are dead, and the Ark of God was captured." <a href="/msb/1_samuel/4.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> The messenger answered, ?Israel has fled before the Philistines, and there has been a great slaughter among the people. Your two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, are both dead, and the ark of God has been captured.? <a href="/net/1_samuel/4.htm">NET Bible</a> The messenger replied, "Israel has fled from the Philistines! The army has suffered a great defeat! Your two sons, Hophni and Phineas, are dead! The ark of God has been captured!" <a href="/nheb/1_samuel/4.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> He who brought the news answered, "Israel has fled before the Philistines, and there has been also a great slaughter among the people. Your two sons also, Hophni and Phinehas, are dead, and the ark of God has been captured." <a href="/wbt/1_samuel/4.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> And the messenger answered and said, Israel hath fled before the Philistines, and there hath been also a great slaughter among the people, and thy two sons also, Hophni and Phinehas, are dead, and the ark of God is taken. <a href="/web/1_samuel/4.htm">World English Bible</a> He who brought the news answered, “Israel has fled before the Philistines, and there has been also a great slaughter among the people. Your two sons also, Hophni and Phinehas, are dead, and God’s ark has been captured.” <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/1_samuel/4.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> And he who is bearing tidings answers and says, “Israel has fled before the Philistines, and also a great slaughter has been among the people, and also your two sons have died—Hophni and Phinehas—and the Ark of God has been captured.” <a href="/ylt/1_samuel/4.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> And he who is bearing tidings answereth and saith, 'Israel hath fled before the Philistines, and also a great slaughter hath been among the people, and also thy two sons have died -- Hophni and Phinehas -- and the ark of God hath been captured.' <a href="/slt/1_samuel/4.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And he bearing tidings will answer and say, Israel fled before Philisteim, and also a great slaughter was among the people, and also thy two sons died, Hophni and Phinehas; and the ark of God was taken.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/1_samuel/4.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> And he that brought the news answered, and said: Israel has fled before the Philistines, and there has been a great slaughter of the people: moreover thy two sons, Ophni and Phinees, are dead: and the ark of God is taken. <a href="/cpdv/1_samuel/4.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> And responding, the man reported and said: “Israel has fled before the Philistines. And a great ruin has happened to the people. Moreover, your two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, also have died. And the ark of God has been captured.” <a href="/nabre/1_samuel/4.htm">New American Bible</a> And the messenger answered: “Israel fled from the Philistines; in fact, the troops suffered heavy losses. Your two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, are dead, and the ark of God has been captured.” <a href="/nrsvce/1_samuel/4.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> The messenger replied, “Israel has fled before the Philistines, and there has also been a great slaughter among the troops; your two sons also, Hophni and Phinehas, are dead, and the ark of God has been captured.”<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/1_samuel/4.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> And the messenger answered and said, Israel has fled before the Philistines, and there has been also a great slaughter among the people, and your two sons also, Hophni and Phinehas, are dead, and the ark of God has been taken. <a href="/hpbt/1_samuel/4.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> And the Messenger answered and said: “Israel fled from before the Philistines, also a great slaughter was among the people, also your two sons Khaphni and Phinkhas are dead, and the Ark of God has been taken!”<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/1_samuel/4.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> And he that brought the tidings answered and said: 'Israel is fled before the Philistines, and there hath been also a great slaughter among the people, and thy two sons also, Hophni and Phinehas, are dead, and the ark of God is taken.' <a href="/sep/1_samuel/4.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> And they young man answered and said, The men of Israel fled from the face of the Philistines, and there was a great slaughter among the people, and both thy sons are dead, and the ark of God is taken. <a href="/parallel/1_samuel/4-17.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=1130" 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 Death of Eli</a> …16“I have just come from the battle,” the man said to Eli. “I fled from there today.” “What happened, my son?” Eli asked. 17<a href="/hebrew/1319.htm" title="1319: ham·ḇaś·śêr (Art:: V-Piel-Prtcpl-ms) -- To bear tidings. A primitive root; properly, to be fresh, i.e. Full (figuratively) cheerful); to announce.">The messenger</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: way·yō·mer (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say."></a> <a href="/hebrew/6030.htm" title="6030: way·ya·‘an (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To answer, respond.">answered,</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/5127.htm" title="5127: nās (V-Qal-Perf-3ms) -- To flee, escape. A primitive root; to flit, i.e. Vanish away.">has fled</a> <a href="/hebrew/6440.htm" title="6440: lip̄·nê (Prep-l:: N-cpc) -- Face, faces. Plural of an unused noun; the face; used in a great variety of applications; also as a preposition.">before</a> <a href="/hebrew/6430.htm" title="6430: p̄ə·liš·tîm (N-proper-mp) -- Inhab. of Philistia. Patrial from Plesheth; a Pelishtite or inhabitant of Pelesheth.">the Philistines,</a> <a href="/hebrew/1571.htm" title="1571: wə·ḡam (Conj) -- Also, moreover, yea. ">and</a> <a href="/hebrew/1961.htm" title="1961: hā·yə·ṯāh (V-Qal-Perf-3fs) -- To fall out, come to pass, become, be. A primitive root; to exist, i.e. Be or become, come to pass.">there has been</a> <a href="/hebrew/1419.htm" title="1419: ḡə·ḏō·w·lāh (Adj-fs) -- Great. Or gadol; from gadal; great; hence, older; also insolent.">a great</a> <a href="/hebrew/4046.htm" title="4046: mag·gê·p̄āh (N-fs) -- A blow, slaughter, plague, pestilence. From nagaph; a pestilence; by analogy, defeat.">slaughter</a> <a href="/hebrew/5971.htm" title="5971: ḇā·‘ām (Prep-b, Art:: N-ms) -- From amam; a people; specifically, a tribe; hence troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock.">among the people.</a> <a href="/hebrew/1571.htm" title="1571: wə·ḡam- (Conj) -- Also, moreover, yea. "></a> <a href="/hebrew/8147.htm" title="8147: šə·nê (Number-mdc) -- Two (a card. number). Dual of sheniy; feminine shttayim; two; also twofold.">Your two</a> <a href="/hebrew/1121.htm" title="1121: ḇā·ne·ḵā (N-mpc:: 2ms) -- Son. From banah; a son, in the widest sense (like 'ab, 'ach, etc.).">sons,</a> <a href="/hebrew/2652.htm" title="2652: ḥā·p̄ə·nî (N-proper-ms) -- A son of Eli. From chophen; perhaps pugilist; Chophni, an Israelite.">Hophni</a> <a href="/hebrew/6372.htm" title="6372: ū·p̄î·nə·ḥās (Conj-w:: N-proper-ms) -- Three Isr. Apparently from peh and a variation of nachash; mouth of a serpent; Pinechas, the name of three Israelites.">and Phinehas,</a> <a href="/hebrew/4191.htm" title="4191: mê·ṯū (V-Qal-Perf-3cp) -- To die. A primitive root: to die; causatively, to kill.">are both dead,</a> <a href="/hebrew/727.htm" title="727: wa·’ă·rō·wn (Conj-w:: N-csc) -- A chest, ark. Or laron; from 'arah; a box.">and the ark</a> <a href="/hebrew/430.htm" title="430: hā·’ĕ·lō·hîm (Art:: N-mp) -- Plural of 'elowahh; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used of the supreme God">of God</a> <a href="/hebrew/3947.htm" title="3947: nil·qā·ḥāh (V-Nifal-Perf-3fs) -- To take. A primitive root; to take.">has been captured.”</a> 18As soon as the ark of God was mentioned, Eli fell backward from his chair by the city gate, and being old and heavy, he broke his neck and died. And Eli had judged Israel forty years.…<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="/1_samuel/2-31.htm">1 Samuel 2:31-34</a> Behold, the days are coming when I will cut off your strength and the strength of your father’s house, so that no one in it will reach old age. / You will see distress in My dwelling place. Despite all that is good in Israel, no one in your house will ever again reach old age. / And every one of you that I do not cut off from My altar, I will cause your eyes to fail and your heart to grieve. All your descendants will die by the sword of men. ... <a href="/1_samuel/3-11.htm">1 Samuel 3:11-14</a> Then the LORD said to Samuel, “I am about to do something in Israel at which the ears of all who hear it will tingle. / On that day I will carry out against Eli everything I have spoken about his house, from beginning to end. / I told him that I would judge his house forever for the iniquity of which he knows, because his sons blasphemed God and he did not restrain them. ... <a href="/1_samuel/2-12.htm">1 Samuel 2:12-17</a> Now the sons of Eli were wicked men; they had no regard for the LORD / or for the custom of the priests with the people. When any man offered a sacrifice, the servant of the priest would come with a three-pronged meat fork while the meat was boiling / and plunge it into the pan or kettle or cauldron or cooking pot. And the priest would claim for himself whatever the meat fork brought up. This is how they treated all the Israelites who came to Shiloh. ... <a href="/1_samuel/2-22.htm">1 Samuel 2:22-25</a> Now Eli was very old, and he heard about everything his sons were doing to all Israel and how they were sleeping with the women who served at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting. / “Why are you doing these things?” Eli said to his sons. “I hear about your wicked deeds from all these people. / No, my sons; it is not a good report I hear circulating among the LORD’s people. ... <a href="/1_samuel/2-27.htm">1 Samuel 2:27-30</a> Then a man of God came to Eli and told him, “This is what the LORD says: ‘Did I not clearly reveal Myself to your father’s house when they were in Egypt under Pharaoh’s house? / And out of all the tribes of Israel I selected your father to be My priest, to offer sacrifices on My altar, to burn incense, and to wear an ephod in My presence. I also gave to the house of your father all the food offerings of the Israelites. / Why then do you kick at My sacrifice and offering that I have prescribed for My dwelling place? You have honored your sons more than Me by fattening yourselves with the best of all the offerings of My people Israel.’ ... <a href="/1_samuel/2-35.htm">1 Samuel 2:35-36</a> Then I will raise up for Myself a faithful priest. He will do whatever is in My heart and mind. And I will build for him an enduring house, and he will walk before My anointed one for all time. / And everyone left in your house will come and bow down to him for a piece of silver or a morsel of bread, pleading, “Please appoint me to some priestly office so that I can eat a piece of bread.”’” <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/12-9.htm">1 Samuel 12:9-11</a> But they forgot the LORD their God, and He sold them into the hand of Sisera the commander of the army of Hazor, and into the hands of the Philistines and the king of Moab, who fought against them. / Then they cried out to the LORD and said, ‘We have sinned, for we have forsaken the LORD and served the Baals and Ashtoreths. Now deliver us from the hands of our enemies, that we may serve You.’ / So the LORD sent Jerubbaal, Barak, Jephthah, and Samuel, and He delivered you from the hands of your enemies on every side, and you dwelt securely. <a href="/1_samuel/15-22.htm">1 Samuel 15:22-23</a> But Samuel declared: “Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obedience to His voice? Behold, obedience is better than sacrifice, and attentiveness is better than the fat of rams. / For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance is like the wickedness of idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, He has rejected you as king.” <a href="/2_samuel/1-4.htm">2 Samuel 1:4</a> “What was the outcome?” David asked. “Please tell me.” “The troops fled from the battle,” he replied. “Many of them fell and died. And Saul and his son Jonathan are also dead.” <a href="/2_samuel/1-17.htm">2 Samuel 1:17-27</a> Then David took up this lament for Saul and his son Jonathan, / and he ordered that the sons of Judah be taught the Song of the Bow. It is written in the Book of Jashar: / “Your glory, O Israel, lies slain on your heights. How the mighty have fallen! ... <a href="/psalms/78-60.htm">Psalm 78:60-64</a> He abandoned the tabernacle of Shiloh, the tent He had pitched among men. / He delivered His strength to captivity, and His splendor to the hand of the adversary. / He surrendered His people to the sword because He was enraged by His heritage. ... <a href="/jeremiah/7-12.htm">Jeremiah 7:12-14</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. / And now, because you have done all these things, declares the LORD, and because I have spoken to you again and again but you would not listen, and I have called to you but you would not answer, / therefore what I did to Shiloh I will now do to the house that bears My Name, the house in which you trust, the place that I gave to you and your fathers. <a href="/jeremiah/26-6.htm">Jeremiah 26:6</a> then I will make this house like Shiloh, and I will make this city an object of cursing among all the nations of the earth.’” <a href="/lamentations/2-7.htm">Lamentations 2:7</a> The Lord has rejected His altar; He has abandoned His sanctuary; He has delivered the walls of her palaces into the hand of the enemy. They have raised a shout in the house of the LORD as on the day of an appointed feast.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>And the messenger answered and said, Israel is fled before the Philistines, and there has been also a great slaughter among the people, and your two sons also, Hophni and Phinehas, are dead, and the ark of God is taken.Israel<a href="/1_samuel/4-10.htm">1 Samuel 4:10,11</a> And the Philistines fought, and Israel was smitten, and they fled every man into his tent: and there was a very great slaughter; for there fell of Israel thirty thousand footmen… <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.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/1_samuel/4-13.htm">Ark</a> <a href="/ruth/4-10.htm">Dead</a> <a href="/1_samuel/4-11.htm">Hophni</a> <a href="/1_samuel/4-10.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/judges/13-21.htm">Messenger</a> <a href="/1_samuel/4-14.htm">News</a> <a href="/1_samuel/4-10.htm">Philistines</a> <a href="/1_samuel/4-11.htm">Phinehas</a> <a href="/1_samuel/4-10.htm">Slaughter</a> <a href="/exodus/33-4.htm">Tidings</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/1_samuel/4-18.htm">Ark</a> <a href="/1_samuel/4-19.htm">Dead</a> <a href="/1_samuel/1-3.htm">Hophni</a> <a href="/1_samuel/4-18.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/1_samuel/23-27.htm">Messenger</a> <a href="/1_samuel/4-19.htm">News</a> <a href="/1_samuel/5-1.htm">Philistines</a> <a href="/1_samuel/4-19.htm">Phinehas</a> <a href="/1_samuel/6-19.htm">Slaughter</a> <a href="/1_samuel/4-19.htm">Tidings</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>The messenger answered In ancient times, messengers played a crucial role in communication, especially during battles. They were often tasked with delivering urgent news, which could determine the fate of a nation. This particular messenger brings a report of defeat, a common occurrence in the turbulent period of the Judges when Israel frequently faced threats from surrounding nations.Israel has fled before the Philistines The Philistines were a significant adversary of Israel, often mentioned in the Old Testament. They were a sea-faring people who settled along the coastal regions of Canaan. This phrase indicates a military defeat, highlighting Israel's vulnerability and the consequences of their disobedience to God. The Philistines' victory here foreshadows their continued threat, which would later be addressed by King David.and there has been a great slaughter among the people This phrase underscores the severity of the defeat. The "great slaughter" suggests a significant loss of life, reflecting the dire consequences of Israel's spiritual and moral decline. It serves as a reminder of the covenantal relationship between God and Israel, where disobedience led to divine judgment.Your two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, are both dead Hophni and Phinehas were the sons of Eli, the high priest. Their deaths fulfill the prophecy given to Eli in <a href="/1_samuel/2-34.htm">1 Samuel 2:34</a>, where God declared judgment on Eli's house due to the corruption and wickedness of his sons. Their demise serves as a sobering reminder of the consequences of sin and the importance of faithful leadership.and the ark of God has been captured The capture of the Ark of the Covenant was a devastating blow to Israel, both spiritually and culturally. The Ark symbolized God's presence and covenant with His people. Its capture by the Philistines represented not only a military defeat but also a spiritual crisis. This event foreshadows the eventual restoration and return of the Ark, symbolizing God's enduring faithfulness despite Israel's unfaithfulness. The Ark's capture and subsequent return also prefigure the ultimate victory of Christ, who, though seemingly defeated in death, triumphs in resurrection.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/i/israel.htm">Israel</a> The nation chosen by God, often in conflict with surrounding nations, including the Philistines. 2. <a href="/topical/p/philistines.htm">Philistines</a> A significant enemy of Israel during this period, known for their military strength and frequent battles with Israel. 3. <a href="/topical/h/hophni_and_phinehas.htm">Hophni and Phinehas</a> The two sons of Eli, the high priest, who were known for their corrupt behavior and disregard for God's laws. 4. <a href="/topical/t/the_ark_of_god.htm">The Ark of God</a> A sacred chest that represented God's presence and covenant with Israel, central to their worship and identity. 5. <a href="/topical/t/the_messenger.htm">The Messenger</a> The individual who brings the devastating news of Israel's defeat and the loss of the Ark to Eli.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/t/the_consequences_of_disobedience.htm">The Consequences of Disobedience</a> The defeat of Israel and the capture of the Ark serve as a stark reminder of the consequences of turning away from God's commands. Disobedience leads to loss and devastation. <a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_godly_leadership.htm">The Importance of Godly Leadership</a> Hophni and Phinehas' corrupt leadership contributed to Israel's downfall. Godly leaders are essential for guiding people in righteousness and truth. <a href="/topical/t/the_presence_of_god_is_not_a_talisman.htm">The Presence of God is Not a Talisman</a> The Israelites treated the Ark as a mere object of power, forgetting that true strength comes from a relationship with God, not from symbols. <a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_in_judgment.htm">God's Sovereignty in Judgment</a> Despite the chaos and loss, God's sovereignty is evident. He uses these events to fulfill His purposes and bring about repentance and renewal. <a href="/topical/h/hope_beyond_judgment.htm">Hope Beyond Judgment</a> While this passage is one of judgment, it also sets the stage for God's redemptive work through Samuel and eventually David, pointing to the ultimate redemption in Christ.<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/what_does_'ichabod'_mean_biblically.htm">What is the biblical meaning of 'Ichabod'?</a> <a href="/q/contradictions_in_1_samuel_4_on_eli's_sons.htm">Are there any contradictions between 1 Samuel 4 and other biblical accounts regarding the fate of Eli’s sons or the Ark’s movements? </a> <a href="/q/why_allow_enemies_to_take_the_ark.htm">Why would an omnipotent God allow His sacred Ark to be taken by enemies (1 Samuel 4:11)?</a> <a href="/q/evidence_of_philistines_capturing_ark.htm">Is there any archaeological evidence to support the Philistines' capture of the Ark in 1 Samuel 4?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a> <a href="/commentaries/1_samuel/4-17.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>The messenger הַֽמְבַשֵּׂ֜ר (ham·ḇaś·śêr) Article | Verb - Piel - Participle - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1319.htm">Strong's 1319: </a> To be fresh, full, cheerful), to announce answered, וַיַּ֨עַן (way·ya·‘an) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6030.htm">Strong's 6030: </a> To answer, respond “Israel יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ (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 has fled נָ֤ס (nās) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5127.htm">Strong's 5127: </a> To flit, vanish away before לִפְנֵ֣י (lip̄·nê) Preposition-l | Noun - common plural construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6440.htm">Strong's 6440: </a> The face the Philistines, פְלִשְׁתִּ֔ים (p̄ə·liš·tîm) Noun - proper - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6430.htm">Strong's 6430: </a> Philistines -- inhabitants of Philistia and וְגַ֛ם (wə·ḡam) Conjunctive waw | Conjunction <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1571.htm">Strong's 1571: </a> Assemblage, also, even, yea, though, both, and there has been הָיְתָ֣ה (hā·yə·ṯāh) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1961.htm">Strong's 1961: </a> To fall out, come to pass, become, be a great גְדוֹלָ֖ה (ḡə·ḏō·w·lāh) Adjective - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1419.htm">Strong's 1419: </a> Great, older, insolent slaughter מַגֵּפָ֥ה (mag·gê·p̄āh) Noun - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4046.htm">Strong's 4046: </a> A blow, slaughter, plague, pestilence among the people. בָעָ֑ם (ḇā·‘ām) Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5971.htm">Strong's 5971: </a> A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock Your two שְׁנֵ֨י (šə·nê) Number - mdc <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8147.htm">Strong's 8147: </a> Two (a cardinal number) sons, בָנֶ֜יךָ (ḇā·ne·ḵā) Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1121.htm">Strong's 1121: </a> A son Hophni חָפְנִי֙ (ḥā·p̄ə·nî) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2652.htm">Strong's 2652: </a> Hophni -- a son of Eli and Phinehas, וּפִ֣ינְחָ֔ס (ū·p̄î·nə·ḥās) Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6372.htm">Strong's 6372: </a> Phinehas -- three Israelites are both dead, מֵ֗תוּ (mê·ṯū) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4191.htm">Strong's 4191: </a> To die, to kill and the ark וַאֲר֥וֹן (wa·’ă·rō·wn) Conjunctive waw | Noun - common singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_727.htm">Strong's 727: </a> A chest, ark of God הָאֱלֹהִ֖ים (hā·’ĕ·lō·hîm) Article | Noun - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_430.htm">Strong's 430: </a> gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative has been captured.” נִלְקָֽחָה׃ (nil·qā·ḥāh) Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3947.htm">Strong's 3947: </a> To take <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/1_samuel/4-17.htm">1 Samuel 4:17 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/1_samuel/4-17.htm">1 Samuel 4:17 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/1_samuel/4-17.htm">1 Samuel 4:17 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/1_samuel/4-17.htm">1 Samuel 4:17 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/1_samuel/4-17.htm">1 Samuel 4:17 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/1_samuel/4-17.htm">1 Samuel 4:17 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/1_samuel/4-17.htm">1 Samuel 4:17 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/1_samuel/4-17.htm">1 Samuel 4:17 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/1_samuel/4-17.htm">1 Samuel 4:17 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/1_samuel/4-17.htm">1 Samuel 4:17 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/1_samuel/4-17.htm">OT History: 1 Samuel 4:17 He who brought the news answered Israel (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/1_samuel/4-16.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="1 Samuel 4:16"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="1 Samuel 4:16" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/1_samuel/4-18.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="1 Samuel 4:18"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="1 Samuel 4:18" /></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>