Bible Commentaries
1 Samuel 4

Introduction

Overview

1 Samuel 4:1, The Israelites are overcome by the Philistines at Ebenezer; 1 Samuel 4:3, They fetch the ark unto the terror of the Philistines; 1 Samuel 4:10, They are smitten again, the ark taken, and Hophni and Phinehas are slain; 1 Samuel 4:12, Eli at the news, falling backward, breaks his neck; 1 Samuel 4:19, Phinehas’s wife, discouraged in her travail with I-chabod, dies.

Verse 1

am 2863, bc 1141, An, Ex, Is, 350

came: or, came to pass, Heb. was, 1 Samuel 3:11

Ebenezer: That is, the place afterwards so called. See the parallel texts. 1 Samuel 5:1, 1 Samuel 7:12

Aphek: This Aphek was situated in the tribe of Judah, and is probably the same as Aphekah. Joshua 15:53, It must be carefully distinguished from that near Jezreel, and another in Asher. 1 Samuel 29:1, Joshua 19:30, 1 Kings 20:30

Reciprocal: Joshua 12:18 - Aphek Joshua 13:4 - Aphek Judges 3:3 - five lords Judges 3:31 - Israel 1 Kings 20:26 - Aphek 2 Kings 13:17 - Aphek Ezekiel 25:15 - to destroy

Verse 2

put: 1 Samuel 17:8, 1 Samuel 17:21

they joined battle: Heb. the battle was spread

Israel: Joshua 7:5-8, Joshua 7:12, Psalms 44:9, Psalms 44:10

and they: Psalms 79:7, Psalms 79:8, Psalms 106:40, Psalms 106:41, Lamentations 3:40

the army: Heb. the array

Reciprocal: Deuteronomy 1:42 - for I am not Judges 3:3 - five lords Judges 18:30 - until 1 Samuel 2:31 - I will cut 1 Samuel 4:10 - Israel Psalms 78:62 - gave

Verse 3

Wherefore: Deuteronomy 29:24, Psalms 74:1, Psalms 74:11, Isaiah 50:1, Isaiah 58:3

Let us: 1 Samuel 14:18, Numbers 31:6, Joshua 6:4, Joshua 6:5, 2 Samuel 15:25, Isaiah 1:11-15, Jeremiah 7:4, Jeremiah 7:8-15, Matthew 3:9, Matthew 3:10

fetch: Heb. take unto us

the ark: Numbers 10:33, Deuteronomy 31:26, Joshua 4:7, 1 Chronicles 17:1, Jeremiah 3:16, Hebrews 9:4

it may save: Jeremiah 7:8-11, Amos 5:21, Amos 5:22, Matthew 23:25-28, Romans 2:28, Romans 2:29, 1 Corinthians 10:1-5, 2 Timothy 3:5, 1 Peter 3:21, Jude 1:5

Reciprocal: Leviticus 26:19 - will break Numbers 14:44 - the ark Joshua 18:1 - set up Judges 18:30 - until Judges 20:27 - the ark 1 Samuel 1:24 - house 2 Samuel 15:24 - bearing 1 Kings 14:4 - Shiloh 1 Chronicles 15:29 - as the ark Isaiah 48:2 - and stay Jeremiah 7:12 - and see Micah 3:11 - yet

Verse 4

which dwelleth: 2 Samuel 6:2, 2 Kings 19:15, Psalms 80:1, Psalms 99:1

the cherubims: Exodus 25:18-22, Numbers 7:89

Hophni: 1 Samuel 2:12-17, 1 Samuel 2:22, Psalms 50:16, Psalms 50:17, Malachi 1:9, Acts 19:15, Acts 19:16

with the ark: Numbers 4:5, Numbers 4:15

Reciprocal: Genesis 3:24 - Cherubims Exodus 25:22 - between Numbers 31:6 - the holy instruments Joshua 18:1 - set up Judges 18:31 - all the time Judges 20:27 - the ark 1 Samuel 1:3 - And the 1 Samuel 1:24 - house 1 Samuel 2:32 - an enemy 2 Samuel 11:11 - The ark 2 Samuel 22:11 - a cherub 1 Kings 8:6 - under the wings 1 Kings 14:4 - Shiloh 1 Chronicles 13:6 - that dwelleth 1 Chronicles 28:18 - the chariot Psalms 78:60 - General Isaiah 37:16 - dwellest Jeremiah 7:4 - The temple Jeremiah 7:12 - and see Acts 7:45 - Which Hebrews 9:5 - over

Verse 5

all Israel: They vainly supposed that the ark would save them, when the God of it had departed from them because of their wickedness. Judges 15:14, Job 20:5, Jeremiah 7:4, Amos 6:3, Micah 2:11

Reciprocal: Exodus 32:17 - There is a noise Numbers 31:6 - the holy instruments Joshua 6:5 - the people 1 Kings 1:45 - the city 2 Chronicles 13:12 - God Ezra 3:13 - and the noise Nehemiah 12:43 - the joy Amos 6:13 - which

Verse 6

What meaneth: Exodus 32:17, Exodus 32:18

Reciprocal: Exodus 7:16 - The Lord 1 Samuel 4:14 - What meaneth Psalms 60:10 - didst Jeremiah 34:9 - Hebrew Philippians 3:5 - an

Verse 7

were afraid: Exodus 14:25, Exodus 15:14-16, Deuteronomy 32:30

heretofore: Heb. yesterday or the third day

Reciprocal: Job 15:25 - strengtheneth Psalms 60:10 - didst Isaiah 41:6 - helped Jeremiah 18:13 - who

Verse 8

smote: Exodus 7:5, Exodus 9:14, Psalms 78:43-51

Reciprocal: Exodus 9:16 - for to Exodus 10:1 - that I Exodus 14:25 - for the Lord Deuteronomy 7:21 - a mighty God Deuteronomy 32:31 - General 1 Samuel 5:7 - saw 1 Kings 20:23 - Their gods Psalms 96:4 - For the Ezekiel 20:9 - in whose Daniel 4:9 - the spirit Acts 13:17 - and with Romans 9:17 - that

Verse 9

Be strong: 2 Samuel 10:12, 1 Corinthians 16:13, Ephesians 6:10, Ephesians 6:11

as they have: Deuteronomy 28:47, Deuteronomy 28:48, Judges 10:7, Judges 13:1, Isaiah 14:2, Isaiah 33:1

quit yourselves like men: Heb. be men

Reciprocal: Joshua 1:6 - Be strong Judges 18:9 - be not 2 Samuel 2:7 - let your 1 Chronicles 19:13 - of good Jeremiah 34:9 - Hebrew

Verse 10

Israel: 1 Samuel 4:2, Leviticus 26:17, Deuteronomy 28:25, Psalms 78:9, Psalms 78:60-64

every man: 2 Samuel 20:1, 1 Kings 12:16, 1 Kings 22:36, 2 Kings 14:12

a very great: 2 Samuel 18:7, 2 Chronicles 13:17, 2 Chronicles 28:5, 2 Chronicles 28:6, Isaiah 10:3-6

Reciprocal: Deuteronomy 1:42 - for I am not Judges 18:30 - until 1 Samuel 4:17 - Israel 1 Samuel 31:6 - General 1 Chronicles 10:6 - Saul 2 Chronicles 25:22 - fled Psalms 60:1 - scattered Psalms 60:10 - didst Psalms 78:62 - gave Jeremiah 7:12 - and see Jeremiah 7:14 - as Jeremiah 26:6 - will I

Verse 11

the ark: 1 Samuel 2:32, Psalms 78:61

the two sons: 1 Samuel 2:34, Psalms 78:64, Isaiah 3:11

were slain: Heb. died

Reciprocal: Leviticus 26:19 - will break Judges 18:17 - the graven Judges 18:30 - until 1 Samuel 1:3 - And the 1 Samuel 2:31 - I will cut 1 Samuel 4:17 - Israel 1 Samuel 5:1 - took 1 Samuel 31:6 - General 2 Samuel 15:24 - bearing 1 Chronicles 10:6 - Saul Psalms 60:1 - scattered Psalms 60:10 - didst Psalms 78:62 - gave Proverbs 3:6 - In Jeremiah 7:12 - and see Jeremiah 7:14 - as

Verse 12

with his clothes rent: These, as we have already remarked, were the general signs of sorrow and distress. 2 Samuel 1:2

with earth: Joshua 7:6, 2 Samuel 13:19, 2 Samuel 15:32, Nehemiah 9:1, Job 2:12

Reciprocal: Genesis 14:13 - one 1 Samuel 22:20 - escaped 2 Kings 19:1 - he rent Proverbs 3:6 - In Jeremiah 51:31 - post Ezekiel 24:26 - General Ezekiel 27:30 - cast Revelation 18:19 - they cast

Verse 13

sat upon: 1 Samuel 1:9

his heart: Joshua 7:9, Nehemiah 1:3, Nehemiah 1:4, Psalms 26:8, Psalms 79:1-8, Psalms 137:4-6

Reciprocal: 1 Samuel 30:4 - lifted up 2 Samuel 18:24 - between Esther 4:3 - great mourning Jeremiah 48:19 - ask Micah 1:12 - waited carefully

Verse 14

What meaneth: 1 Samuel 4:6

Reciprocal: Esther 4:3 - great mourning Jeremiah 48:19 - ask

Verse 15

ninety: 1 Samuel 3:2, Psalms 90:10

and his eyes: Genesis 27:1

were dim: Heb. stood

Reciprocal: Genesis 48:10 - the eyes 1 Kings 14:4 - for his eyes Psalms 71:18 - Now Ecclesiastes 12:2 - the sun

Verse 16

What is there done: Heb. What is the thing, 2 Samuel 1:4

my son: 1 Samuel 3:6, Joshua 7:19

Reciprocal: 2 Samuel 1:2 - clothes Jeremiah 19:3 - his ears Jeremiah 48:19 - ask

Verse 17

Israel: 1 Samuel 4:10, 1 Samuel 4:11, 1 Samuel 3:11

Reciprocal: Genesis 44:31 - when he Numbers 31:6 - the holy instruments 1 Samuel 1:3 - And the 1 Samuel 2:31 - I will cut 1 Samuel 2:34 - in one day 1 Samuel 5:1 - took Nehemiah 1:4 - I sat down Job 1:14 - messenger Psalms 44:10 - Thou Psalms 60:1 - scattered Psalms 78:64 - priests

Verse 18

when he made: 1 Samuel 4:21, 1 Samuel 4:22, Psalms 26:8, Psalms 42:3, Psalms 42:10, Psalms 69:9, Lamentations 2:15-19

his neck: 1 Samuel 2:31, 1 Samuel 2:32, 1 Samuel 3:12, 1 Samuel 3:13, Leviticus 10:3, 1 Corinthians 11:30-32, 1 Peter 4:17, 1 Peter 4:18

And he had: "He seems to have been a judge to do justice only, and that in south-west Israel.

Reciprocal: Genesis 44:31 - when he 1 Samuel 1:3 - And the 1 Samuel 5:1 - took 1 Kings 13:21 - thou hast disobeyed 1 Kings 14:17 - when she came 1 Chronicles 10:6 - Saul Psalms 71:18 - Now Ecclesiastes 12:2 - the sun

Verse 19

Reciprocal: Genesis 3:16 - in sorrow Genesis 35:17 - Fear not 1 Kings 14:1 - the son Psalms 78:64 - widows Jeremiah 26:6 - will I

Verse 20

Fear not: Genesis 35:17, Genesis 35:18, John 16:21

neither did she regard it: Heb. and set not her heart, Psalms 77:2

Reciprocal: Exodus 7:23 - neither Exodus 9:21 - regarded not 1 Samuel 9:20 - set not 1 Kings 14:1 - the son Job 14:21 - he knoweth it not Psalms 78:64 - widows Daniel 5:10 - let not

Verse 21

Ichabod: that is, Where is the glory, or, There is no glory

The glory: Psalms 26:8, Psalms 78:61, Psalms 78:64, Psalms 106:20, Jeremiah 2:11, Hosea 9:12

Reciprocal: Genesis 35:18 - her soul 1 Samuel 4:18 - when he made 1 Samuel 14:3 - Ichabod's 1 Chronicles 4:9 - I bare him 1 Chronicles 7:23 - because Psalms 63:2 - To see Psalms 89:44 - Thou Isaiah 7:14 - shall call Lamentations 2:1 - the beauty Ezekiel 3:12 - glory Hosea 10:5 - for the glory Zechariah 11:3 - for their Romans 9:4 - and the glory

Verse 22

The glory: Psalms 137:5, Psalms 137:6, John 2:17

Reciprocal: 1 Samuel 2:32 - an enemy 1 Samuel 4:18 - when he made 1 Samuel 5:1 - took Psalms 63:2 - To see Psalms 78:61 - glory Psalms 89:44 - Thou Ezekiel 3:12 - glory Hosea 10:5 - for the glory Zechariah 11:3 - for their Romans 9:4 - and the glory