Israel Defeated and the Ark Captured
1 Samuel 4:2-11
1 S.4.2 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויערכו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- פלשתים: NOUN,m,pl,cstr
- לקראת: PREP
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ותטש: VERB,qal,impf,3,f,sg
- המלחמה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- וינגף: VERB,niphal,impf,3,m,sg
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לפני: PREP
- פלשתים: NOUN,m,pl,cstr
- ויכו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- במערכה: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- בשדה: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- כארבעת: PREP+NUM,card,pl,constr,m
- אלפים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- איש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Judges 20:35-48 (thematic): A narrative of Israel arraying for battle and suffering a rout with heavy casualties; parallels the motif of Israel engaged with kin/enemies and being decisively defeated in the field.
- 1 Samuel 13:6-7 (verbal): Uses similar language of the people’s fear and disarray before the Philistines (men hiding, distress and rout); both passages portray Israel demoralized and unable to stand against Philistine forces.
- 1 Samuel 17:11 (thematic): Describes Saul and all Israel being dismayed and greatly afraid at the Philistine threat; thematically parallels Israel’s fear and collapse in the face of Philistine opposition.
- Exodus 17:8-13 (thematic): An early instance of Israel under sudden attack (by Amalek) and suffering in battle until divine intervention turns the tide; resonates with the theme of Israel’s vulnerability in warfare and the need for God’s aid.
Alternative generated candidates
- The Philistines drew up their forces against Israel; the battle was joined, and Israel was defeated before the Philistines. About four thousand men fell on the field.
- The Philistines arrayed themselves against Israel, and the battle was joined; Israel was defeated before the Philistines. About four thousand men of Israel fell on the field.
1 S.4.3 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויבא: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- העם: NOUN,m,sg,def
- אל: NEG
- המחנה: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ויאמרו: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,pl
- זקני: NOUN,m,pl,cons
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- למה: ADV
- נגפנו: VERB,niphal,perf,1,pl
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- היום: NOUN,m,sg,def
- לפני: PREP
- פלשתים: NOUN,m,pl,cstr
- נקחה: VERB,qal,impf,1,pl
- אלינו: PREP+PRON,1,pl
- משלה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- את: PRT,acc
- ארון: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ברית: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- ויבא: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- בקרבנו: PREP+NOUN,m,sg+PRON,1,pl
- וישענו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- מכף: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- איבינו: NOUN,m,pl,def+PRON,1,pl
Parallels
- 1 Samuel 4:4 (quotation): Immediate narrative continuation: the ark is brought into the camp and the text connects the ark's presence with hope for divine rescue ('the glory of the LORD saved them').
- 1 Samuel 5:1-12 (structural): Direct sequel showing the ark's capture by the Philistines and the subsequent plagues—complicates the expectation that bringing the ark guarantees Israel's victory.
- Numbers 10:35-36 (verbal): Liturgical formula used when the ark sets out—'Rise up, O LORD'—reflects the tradition of the ark accompanying Israel into battle as the sign of divine presence and deliverance.
- Joshua 6:6-9 (thematic): The ark leads the procession around Jericho and is associated with the city's fall—another instance where the ark's presence is linked to military success and God's action on Israel's behalf.
- 2 Samuel 6:1-11 (allusion): Later account of transporting the ark to Jerusalem (including Uzzah's death) that reflects ongoing beliefs about the ark's power and the dangers/ceremonial proprieties involved in moving it for religious or military ends.
Alternative generated candidates
- The people returned to the camp and told the elders of Israel, “Why has the LORD struck us today before the Philistines? Let us fetch the ark of the covenant of the LORD from Shiloh; let it come among us, and it may save us from the hand of our enemies.”
- The people returned to the camp, and the elders of Israel said, "Why has the LORD routed us today before the Philistines? Let us fetch the ark of the covenant of the LORD from Shiloh; let it come among us, that it may save us from the hand of our enemies."
1 S.4.4 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וישלח: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- העם: NOUN,m,sg,def
- שלה: PRON,3,f,sg,gen
- וישאו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- משם: PREP
- את: PRT,acc
- ארון: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ברית: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- צבאות: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ישב: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- הכרבים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- ושם: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- שני: NUM,m,pl,construct
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- עלי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- עם: PREP
- ארון: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ברית: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- האלהים: NOUN,m,sg,def
- חפני: NOUN,prop,m,sg
- ופינחס: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,prop
Parallels
- Exodus 25:22 (verbal): The phrase and concept of God’s presence 'between the cherubim' originates in the instructions for the ark as Yahweh’s meeting-place (the same language applied to the ark in 1 Sam 4:4).
- 2 Samuel 6:2 (verbal): Uses virtually the same designation of the ark as dwelling 'between the cherubim' when describing later efforts to transport the ark—parallel language and theology about the ark’s significance.
- 1 Samuel 2:12-17 (thematic): Introduces and describes the corrupt behavior of Eli’s sons Hophni and Phinehas; their misconduct provides immediate moral/contextual background for their presence with the ark in 1 Sam 4:4.
- 1 Samuel 3:13 (thematic): God’s judgment against Eli’s house is pronounced because of the iniquity of his sons (Hophni and Phinehas), linking their presence at the ark to the ensuing divine repercussions narrated in ch.4.
- 1 Samuel 5:1 (structural): Direct narrative continuation: the ark taken into the Philistine temple (and the events that follow) are the immediate consequences of the ark’s capture introduced in 1 Sam 4:4—structural and thematic continuation of the episode.
Alternative generated candidates
- So the people sent to Shiloh, and they carried from there the ark of the covenant of the LORD of hosts, he who sits between the cherubim; and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, accompanied the ark of the covenant of God.
- So the people sent to Shiloh, and they brought from there the ark of the covenant of the LORD of hosts, upon which the cherubim sat. The two sons of Eli were there with the ark of the covenant of God—Hophni and Phinehas.
1 S.4.5 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויהי: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- כבוא: CONJ
- ארון: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ברית: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אל: NEG
- המחנה: NOUN,m,sg,def
- וירעו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- כל: DET
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- תרועה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- גדולה: ADJ,f,sg,abs
- ותהם: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- הארץ: NOUN,f,sg,def
Parallels
- 2 Samuel 6:15 (verbal): Describes the ark being brought up 'with shouting and with the sound of the trumpet'—verbal parallel to the ark's entry and Israel's great shout in 1 Sam 4:5.
- Numbers 10:35-36 (structural): When the ark set forward the assembly used trumpet blasts and liturgical formulae ('Rise up, O Lord…')—structural parallel linking ark movement with public acclamation and trumpet.
- Joshua 6:20 (thematic): The people 'shouted with a great shout' and God acted (the wall fell); thematically similar communal shouting at a decisive manifestation of divine power associated with sacred ritual movement.
- Exodus 19:16-19 (thematic): God's presence on Sinai was accompanied by trumpet, thunder and the mountain trembling—thematic parallel to the ark's arrival producing loud sound and the earth trembling.
Alternative generated candidates
- When the ark of the covenant of the LORD came into the camp, all Israel raised a great shout; the earth resounded.
- When the ark of the covenant of the LORD came into the camp, all Israel shouted with a great shout, so that the earth trembled.
1 S.4.6 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וישמעו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- פלשתים: NOUN,m,pl,cstr
- את: PRT,acc
- קול: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- התרועה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- ויאמרו: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,pl
- מה: PRON,int
- קול: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- התרועה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- הגדולה: ADJ,f,sg,def
- הזאת: DEM,f,sg,def
- במחנה: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- העברים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- וידעו: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,pl
- כי: CONJ
- ארון: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- בא: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אל: NEG
- המחנה: NOUN,m,sg,def
Parallels
- Numbers 10:35-36 (verbal): Links the ark's movement with ritualized vocal/worded announcements ('Rise up, O LORD'); both passages associate the ark's presence or movement with an audible, recognitive proclamation.
- Joshua 6:20 (thematic): When the ark and priests led the procession, a great shout accompanies the ark's presence and produces decisive effect (the fall of Jericho's walls); parallels the connection between a loud cry and the ark's manifest power.
- 1 Samuel 5:6-7 (thematic): After the Philistines capture the ark, the people of Ashdod experience divine affliction and acknowledge the ark's power—this continues the theme of immediate Philistine recognition and fearful reaction to the ark's presence.
- 2 Samuel 6:6-8 (thematic): The dangerous, awe-filled response to the ark (Uzzah struck for touching it) underscores the reverence and fear that accompany the ark's presence—echoing the Philistines' alarm on hearing the shout that signaled the ark had come.
Alternative generated candidates
- The Philistines heard the sound of the shout and said, “What is this great shouting in the camp of the Hebrews?” Then they knew that the ark of the LORD had come into the camp.
- The Philistines heard the sound of the shout and said, "What is this great shout in the camp of the Hebrews?" And they knew that the ark of the LORD had come into the camp.
1 S.4.7 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויראו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- הפלשתים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- כי: CONJ
- אמרו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- בא: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אלהים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- אל: NEG
- המחנה: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ויאמרו: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,pl
- אוי: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לנו: PREP+PRON,1,pl
- כי: CONJ
- לא: PART_NEG
- היתה: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- כזאת: DEM,f,sg
- אתמול: ADV
- שלשם: ADV
Parallels
- 1 Samuel 5:1-7 (structural): Direct narrative continuation: when the Ark is in the Philistine camp Dagon falls and 'the terror of the LORD' comes upon the people — the same fear and recognition of a deity appearing in the enemy camp.
- 1 Samuel 6:1-9 (structural): Further episode showing the Philistines afflicted by tumours and panic and seeking means to return the Ark; underscores their conviction that Israel's God has entered their camp and caused calamity.
- Joshua 2:9-11 (thematic): Rahab and the inhabitants of Jericho react in fear to reports of Israel's deeds and acknowledge 'the LORD your God is God' — a parallel motif of pagan recognition and terror on learning that a powerful deity is present among Israel.
- Deuteronomy 7:22 (thematic): God's promise that he will put 'the terror of you' and make enemies melt away provides theological background for episodes where nations are struck with fear when God's presence appears among Israel.
Alternative generated candidates
- The Philistines were afraid and said, “A god has come into the camp.” “Woe to us!” they cried; “nothing like this has happened before.”
- The Philistines said, "Woe to us! God has come into the camp! Woe to us! —not since yesterday or the day before has this been like this."
1 S.4.8 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- אוי: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לנו: PREP+PRON,1,pl
- מי: PRON,interr,sg
- יצילנו: VERB,hiph,imprf,3,m,sg
- מיד: PREP
- האלהים: NOUN,m,sg,def
- האדירים: ADJ,m,pl,def
- האלה: DEM,pl
- אלה: DEM,pl,abs
- הם: PRON,personal,3,m,pl
- האלהים: NOUN,m,sg,def
- המכים: PART,qal,ptc,act,pl,m,def
- את: PRT,acc
- מצרים: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- בכל: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מכה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- במדבר: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Exodus 12:12 (verbal): The language and idea of judgment 'against all the gods of Egypt' echoes 1 Sam 4:8's identification of the Philistine gods as the ones who 'struck Egypt'—a direct verbal/thematic link to the Exodus account of the plagues.
- Exodus 12:29 (allusion): Describes the LORD striking Egypt (the climactic plague). 1 Sam 4:8 alludes to the Egyptian plagues as proof of the power attributed to foreign 'gods.'
- Psalm 78:49-51 (thematic): A poetic retelling of God's plagues on Egypt; thematically parallels 1 Sam 4:8's reference to the blows that afflicted Egypt as evidence of divine power.
- 1 Samuel 5:6-8 (structural): Immediate narrative sequel/irony: after Israelites credit Philistine gods with striking them, the Philistines themselves are struck (emerods and afflictions) when the Ark arrives, undermining those gods' power.
Alternative generated candidates
- Woe to us—who will deliver us from the hand of these mighty gods? These are the gods that struck Egypt with every plague in the wilderness.
- "Who can deliver us from the hand of these mighty gods? These are the gods that struck the Egyptians with all manner of plagues in the wilderness."
1 S.4.9 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- התחזקו: VERB,hithpael,imp,2,m,pl
- והיו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- לאנשים: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- פלשתים: NOUN,m,pl,cstr
- פן: CONJ
- תעבדו: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,pl
- לעברים: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- כאשר: CONJ
- עבדו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+3,m,sg
- לכם: PREP,2,m,pl
- והייתם: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,pl
- לאנשים: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ונלחמתם: VERB,nifal,perf,2,m,pl
Parallels
- 2 Samuel 10:12 (verbal): A near-identical battle exhortation — 'Be of good courage, and let us play the men' — spoken to soldiers before engaging the enemy.
- 1 Chronicles 19:13 (verbal): Parallel account to 2 Samuel 10:12 with the same language urging troops to 'be strong' and 'be men' for the people and their cities.
- Joshua 1:6–9 (structural): A recurring biblical command to 'be strong and courageous' given to a leader and his troops as they face military/compositional challenge — similar hortatory function and martial context.
- Deuteronomy 28:48 (thematic): Warning that disobedience will result in serving/enslavement by other nations — parallels the Philistine fear of becoming servants to the Hebrews (the reversal of domination feared in 1 Sam 4:9).
Alternative generated candidates
- Be strong, and be men, O Philistines, lest you become servants to the Hebrews as they were to you. Be men and fight.
- Then the Philistines were encouraged and said, "Be men; be strong, O Philistines, lest you become servants to the Hebrews, as they were to you. Be men and fight!"
1 S.4.10 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וילחמו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- פלשתים: NOUN,m,pl,cstr
- וינגף: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וינסו: VERB,qal,imprf,3,m,pl
- איש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לאהליו: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- ותהי: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- המכה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- גדולה: ADJ,f,sg,abs
- מאד: ADV
- ויפל: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- מישראל: PREP+NOUN,prop,m,sg
- שלשים: NUM,m,pl,abs
- אלף: NUM,m,sg
- רגלי: NOUN,f,pl,cons
Parallels
- 1 Sam.4.11 (structural): Immediate narrative continuation: the defeat described in 4:10 leads directly to the loss of the Ark and the death of Eli and his sons.
- 1 Sam.31.1-6 (thematic): Another scene of Philistine victory in which Israel is routed and many fall (including Saul and his sons); parallels the motif of a catastrophic defeat at Philistine hands.
- 1 Chron.10.8 (verbal): Chronicles’ parallel retelling of Saul’s defeat at Gilboa uses similar language about Israel being struck down and fleeing, echoing Samuel’s account.
- 2 Sam.1.6-10 (thematic): The Amalekite’s report to David recounts a rout and many slain, reflecting the recurring theme of Israel’s heavy losses in battle and flight from the field.
Alternative generated candidates
- The Philistines fought; Israel was routed, and every man fled to his tent. The slaughter was very great—thirty thousand footmen of Israel fell.
- So the Philistines fought, and Israel was defeated; they fled each to his tent. A very great slaughter was there—thirty thousand footmen of Israel fell.
1 S.4.11 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וארון: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אלהים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- נלקח: VERB,niphal,perf,3,m,sg
- ושני: CONJ+NUM,card,m,pl
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- עלי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- מתו: NOUN,m,sg,abs,3,m,sg
- חפני: NOUN,prop,m,sg
- ופינחס: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,prop
Parallels
- 1 Samuel 2:12-17 (thematic): Describes the corrupt behavior of Hophni and Phinehas and their abuse of priestly office, providing background for their death in 1 Sam 4:11.
- 1 Samuel 3:11-14 (allusion): God's prophetic judgment on Eli's house, including the death of his sons, anticipates the fulfillment reported in 1 Sam 4:11.
- 1 Samuel 5:1-5 (structural): Continues the same episode—narrates the ark's capture by the Philistines and the ensuing divine afflictions, directly linked to 1 Sam 4:11.
- Exodus 25:10-22 (thematic): Gives the instructions and theological significance of the ark as God's dwelling, which frames why its capture in 1 Sam 4:11 is a theologically momentous event.
- 2 Samuel 6:6-7 (thematic): Reports death resulting from improper handling of the ark (Uzzah), reinforcing the motif in 1 Sam 4:11 of lethal consequences tied to the ark's sanctity.
Alternative generated candidates
- The ark of God was captured, and Eli's two sons—Hophni and Phinehas—died.
- The ark of God was captured, and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, died.
The Philistines drew up for battle against Israel. The battle turned against Israel; Israel was routed before the Philistines, and about four thousand men fell in the field.
The people came into the camp, and the elders of Israel said, "Why has the LORD struck us today before the Philistines? Let us fetch from Shiloh the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and let it come among us, that it may save us from the hand of our enemies." So the people sent to Shiloh, and they brought from there the ark of the covenant of the LORD of hosts, upon whom the cherubim sit; and the two sons of Eli were there with the ark of God—Hophni and Phinehas.
When the ark of the covenant of the LORD came into the camp, all Israel gave a great shout, and the earth trembled.
When the Philistines heard the sound of the shouting they said, "What is this great shouting in the camp of the Hebrews?" And they understood that the ark of the LORD had come into the camp.
The Philistines were afraid, for they said, "A god has come into the camp." Woe to us! There was no such thing yesterday.
Who will deliver us from the hand of these mighty gods? These are the gods who struck Egypt with every plague in the wilderness.
Be strong and be men, O Philistines, lest you become servants to the Hebrews as they have been to you; be men and fight. So the Philistines fought, and Israel was defeated; they fled each to his tent, and there was a very great slaughter—thirty thousand foot soldiers of Israel fell.
The ark of God was taken, and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, died.