Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - 1 Samuel 4:1
1. the word of Samuel came to all Israel—The character of Samuel as a prophet was now fully established. The want of an "open vision" was supplied by him, for "none of his words were let fall to the ground" (1 Samuel 3:19); and to his residence in Shiloh all the people of Israel repaired to consult him as an oracle, who, as the medium of receiving the divine command, or by his gift of a prophet, could inform them what was the mind of God. It is not improbable that the rising influence of the... read more
Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - 1 Samuel 4:1
1 Samuel 4:1. Now Israel went out, &c.— Probably the Israelites were encouraged to this undertaking, by the confusion into which the Philistines must have been thrown by the slaughter of their great men which Samson made at his death. The name Ebenezer was not given to this place till some time after; ch. 1Sa 7:12 but it was so called at the time that the historian wrote this book. read more