1 Samuel 4

The Israelites are smitten by the Philistines, v.1, &c. Therefore they cause the Ark of the covenant to be brought from Silo into the camp, which is received with great shouting of the people, 5. Which astonisheth the Philistines, 6. Tet they take courage again, 9. The Philistines smite the Israelites the second time, 10. The Ark is taken, and the two sons of Eli are slain, 11. When this was told Eli, 12. the whole city was grieved, 13. And Eli hearing all, falleth backward from his seat, and breaketh his neck, and dieth, 14. And his Daughter in law dieth in travel, 19. having named her son Icabod, 21.

1. And the word of Samuel came to all Israel: [i.e. The Prophecie which was revealed unto Samuel by the Lord, he revealed unto the people, and it was fulfilled. See chap.3.11, 21.] and Israel went out to meet the Philistines to battel, and camped themselves by Eben-haezer, [i.e. the stone of help, help-stone. This place got first afterward this name. See below chap.7.12. So is Laz, Gen.12. called Bethel, which name Jacob a long while after gave unto this place, Gen.28.19.] but the Philistines camped themselves by Aphek. [A city lying in the tribe of Juda, Jos.chap.15.53. but there is another Aphek in the tribe of Ascher, Jos.19.30. Judg.1. vers.31.]

2. And the Philistines put themselves in battel-array to meet Israel: and when the battel [i.e. the souldiers that fought] spread it self out, [Intimating that when all the bands and companies were met together to fight, they smote, &c.] then was Israel smitten before the face of the Philistine: for they [to wit, the Philistines] slew in the battel-array in the field, [intimating, while the battel lasted, when both the camps yet stood in their battel-array] about four thousand man.

3. When the people were (again) come into the camp, then the eldest of Israel said, Wherefore hath the LORD to day smitten us before the face of the Philistines? let us take unto us out of Silo the Ark of the covenant of the LORD, and let it come into the midst of us, that it may deliver us from our enemies. [This they did without asking counsel of God, thinking that this outward ceremony was able to protect and deliver them from the hands of their enemies.]

4. Therefore the people sent to Silo, and they brought from thence the Ark of the covenant of the LORD of hosts, who dwelleth between the Cherubims: [From between which God spake with Moseh, and others, Exod.25.22. Numb.7.89.] and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Pinehas, were there [viz. in the camp] with the Ark of the covenant of God.

5. And it came to passé when the Ark of the covenant of the LORD came into the camp, that all Israel shouted with a great shout, so that the earth shook.

6. Now when the Philistines heard the voice of the shout, then they said, what is [i.e. meaneth] the voice of this great shouting in the camp of the Hebrews: then they understood that the Ark of the LORD was come into the camp.

7. Therefore the Philistines feared; for they said God is come into the camp: and said, wo unto us, for the like hath not been done yesterday (nor) ere yesterday.

8. Wo unto us, who shall deliver us out of the land of these glorious Gods? [Or, of this glorious God] these are the same Gods, which plagued the Egyptians with all plagues by the wilderness. [i.e. in the reed See, which lieth by the wilderness of Etham; see Exod.13.20. and chap.14.]

9. Be strong, and be men, the Philistines, left ye perhaps serve the Hebrew, according as they have served you, therefore be men, and fight.

10. Then the Philistines fought, and Israel was smitten, and every one fled into his tent, [i.e. into his house, as below chap.13.2. and I Kings 12.16,&c.] and there was made a very great slaughter, [Heb. blow] so that there fell of Israel thirty thousand footmen.

11. And the Ark of God was taken: and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Pinehas died.

12. Then there ran a Benjamite out of the Battel-array, and came to Silo the same day: and his clothes were rent, [In token of grief, and that he brought bad tidings. Of this phrase, see the annotat. in Genes.37.29. and Jos.7.6,&c. and 2 Sam.1.2,11.] and there was earth upon his head. [See the like example, Jos.7.6. and 2 Sam.1.2.]

13. And when he came, lo, Eli sat upon a stool by the wayes side, looking out: for his heart trembled because of the Ark of God: when that man came, to tell (it) in the city, then all the city cried out. [i.e. the inhabitants of the city called and cried loud out of grief, when they heard that the Ark of the covenant was taken]

14. And when Eli heard the voice of the cry, he said, what is the voice of this tumult? Then the man made haste, and he came and told it Eli.

15. Now Eli was a man of four score and eighteen years, and his eyes stood stiff, [Heb. stood] (so to he could not see.)

16. And that man said unto Eli: I am he, that come out of the battel-array, and I am fled to day out of the battel-array: then he said, what is there done, ny son?

17. Then answered he, that brought the message, [Or, the messenger] and said, Israel is fled before the face of the Philistines, and there is likewise a great slaughter made among the people: besides thy two son s Hophni and Pinehas are dead, and the Ark of God is taken.

18. And it came to passé, when he made mention of the Ark of God, that he fell backward from off the seat, at the side of the gate, [Understand this of the city-gate] and brake his neck, and died, for the man was old and heavy: and he judged Israel fourty years.

19. And his daughter in law, Pinehas wife, was with child, ready to travel: when this (woman) heard the tidings, that the Ark of God was taken, and her father in law was dead, and her husband, then she bowed her self, [viz. through pain and anguish which she felt] and travelled, for her woes [Pains, sorrows, anxieties, need] fell upon her, [Heb. her needs turned themselves upon her.]

20. And about the time of her dying, the woman that stood by her, [Or, over her] spake, fear not, for thou hast born a son: but she answered not, and took it not to heart. [Heb, she set not her heart (upon) it: i.e. she was not at all moved at such sayings. They comforted or revived not her heart.]

21. And she named her child Icabod, [i.e. where is the glory? Oth. there is no honour] saying, The glory is carried away from Israel, because the Ark of God was carried away captive, [As if she had said, All the glory and excellency of Israel is now taken away from us, for as much as the ark is taken away from us, which brought great glory and renowne unto Israel: for it was a token of Gods gracious presence with his people. This phrase is also used, Psal.26.8. and 78.61.] and because of her father in law, and her husband.

22. And she said, The glory is carried away captive from Israel, for the Ark of God is taken. [This woman lamenteth more, and is more grieved for the common damage, then for her own private losse. See also above verse.18.]