📖 1 Samuel — Chapter 4 (KJV)
Read the complete King James Version chapter below, then explore the passage sections, check what you remember, and keep your private study notes.
Scripture source: Project Gutenberg KJV, ebook 10.
1 Samuel 4:1 And the word of Samuel RTcame to all Israel. Now Israel went out against the Philistines to battle, and pitched beside Ebenezer: and the Philistines pitched in Aphek.
1 Samuel 4:2 And the Philistines Rput themselves in array against Israel: and when Tthey joined battle, Israel was smitten before the Philistines: and they slew of the Tarmy in the field about four thousand men.
1 Samuel 4:3 And when the people were come into the camp, the elders of Israel said, RWherefore hath the LORD smitten us to day before the Philistines? Let us Tfetch the ark of the covenant of the LORD out of Shiloh unto us, that, when it cometh among us, it may save us out of the hand of our enemies.
1 Samuel 4:4 So the people sent to Shiloh, that they might bring from thence the ark of the covenant of the LORD of hosts, Rwhich dwelleth between the cherubims: and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were there with the ark of the covenant of God.
1 Samuel 4:5 And when the ark of the covenant of the LORD came into the camp, Rall Israel shouted with a great shout, so that the earth rang again.
1 Samuel 4:6 And when the Philistines heard the noise of the shout, they said, RWhat meaneth the noise of this great shout in the camp of the Hebrews? And they understood that the ark of the LORD was come into the camp.
1 Samuel 4:7 And the Philistines Rwere afraid, for they said, God is come into the camp. And they said, Woe unto us! for there hath not been such a thing Theretofore.
1 Samuel 4:8 Woe unto us! who shall deliver us out of the hand of these mighty Gods? these are the Gods that Rsmote the Egyptians with all the plagues in the wilderness.
1 Samuel 4:9 RTBe strong and quit yourselves like men, O ye Philistines, that ye be not servants unto the Hebrews, as they have been to you: quit yourselves like men, and fight.
1 Samuel 4:10 And the Philistines fought, and Israel was smitten, and they fled Revery man into his tent: and there was a very great slaughter; for there fell of Israel thirty thousand footmen.
1 Samuel 4:11 And Rthe ark of God was taken; and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, Twere slain.
1 Samuel 4:12 And there ran a man of Benjamin out of the army, and came to Shiloh the same day Rwith his clothes rent, and with earth upon his head.
1 Samuel 4:13 And when he came, lo, Eli Rsat upon a seat by the wayside watching: for his heart trembled for the ark of God. And when the man came into the city, and told it, all the city cried out.
1 Samuel 4:14 And when Eli heard the noise of the crying, he said, What meaneth the noise of this tumult? And the man came in hastily, and told Eli.
1 Samuel 4:15 Now Eli was Rninety and eight years old; and his eyes Twere dim, that he could not see.
1 Samuel 4:16 And the man said unto Eli, I am he that came out of the army, and I fled to day out of the army. And he said, RWhat Tis there done, my son?
1 Samuel 4:17 And the messenger answered and said, RIsrael 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.
1 Samuel 4:18 And it came to pass, Rwhen he made mention of the ark of God, that he fell from off the seat backward by the side of the gate, and his neck brake, and he died: for he was an old man, and heavy. And he had judged Israel forty years.
1 Samuel 4:19 And his daughter in law, Phinehas’ wife, was with child, near to Tbe delivered: and when she heard the tidings that the ark of God was taken, and that her father in law and her husband were dead, she bowed herself and travailed; for her pains Tcame upon her.
1 Samuel 4:20 And about the time of her death the women that stood by her said unto her, RFear not; for thou hast born a son. But she answered not, Tneither did she regard it.
1 Samuel 4:21 And she named the child TIchabod, saying, RThe glory is departed from Israel: because the ark of God was taken, and because of her father in law and her husband.
1 Samuel 4:22 And she said, RThe glory is departed from Israel: for the ark of God is taken.
📚 Study This Chapter
📖 What We’re Reading
1 Samuel 4:1–11 — The ark is taken into battle
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
After defeat, Israel fetches the ark, assuming its presence will save them. Another defeat follows, Eli's sons die, and the ark is captured. The holy object cannot be used to compel God's protection while ignoring his word.
Key Truth: Possessing a sacred object is not the same as faithful dependence on God.
Check What You Remember
1. From which place was the ark fetched? (1 Samuel 4:3)
Find it in 1 Samuel 4:3 (KJV).
2. Which people captured the ark? (1 Samuel 4:10)
Find it in 1 Samuel 4:10 (KJV).
3. Which two priests were slain? (1 Samuel 4:11)
Find it in 1 Samuel 4:11 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
1 Samuel 4:12–18 — The report reaches Eli
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
A Benjamite brings the news to Shiloh. Eli, whose heart trembles for the ark, hears the deaths and capture. At mention of the ark he falls backward and dies, ending forty years of judging.
Key Truth: The report fulfills the warning and exposes the collapse of Eli's household.
Check What You Remember
1. From which tribe was the messenger? (1 Samuel 4:12)
Find it in 1 Samuel 4:12 (KJV).
2. How old was Eli? (1 Samuel 4:15)
Find it in 1 Samuel 4:15 (KJV).
3. How long had Eli judged Israel? (1 Samuel 4:18)
Find it in 1 Samuel 4:18 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
1 Samuel 4:19–22 — Ichabod and departed glory
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Phinehas's wife goes into labor upon hearing the disaster. Dying, she names her son Ichabod and connects departed glory with the captured ark. Her words give voice to the national calamity as well as her own loss.
Key Truth: The chapter ends with grief over the loss of God's ark among Israel.
Check What You Remember
1. Whose wife gave birth in this section? (1 Samuel 4:19)
Find it in 1 Samuel 4:19 (KJV).
2. What name did she give the child? (1 Samuel 4:21)
Find it in 1 Samuel 4:21 (KJV).
3. What had been taken from Israel? (1 Samuel 4:22)
Find it in 1 Samuel 4:22 (KJV).
Related Scripture (KJV)
1 Samuel 2:34 — The deaths of both sons on one day fulfill the announced sign.
This related passage is selected for its connection with this chapter. It is separate from the chapter text.
Reflect and Apply
What assumption do Israel's elders make about the ark? Compare it with the outcome rather than treating the ark as a charm.
Advanced Questions and Answers
Study this chapter’s wording, patterns, contrasts, and meaning in greater depth.
1. What mistaken confidence does Israel express after its first defeat?
2. How do the Philistines respond after hearing about the ark?
3. What news most directly triggers Eli’s fall in the narrative?
4. How does Ichabod’s naming summarize the disaster?
5. What contrast joins the loud shout and the battle’s outcome?
Notes
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