1 Samuel 4:3-6

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Samuel 4:1-9

The first words of this paragraph, which relate to Samuel, that his word came to all Israel, seem not to have any reference to the following story, as if it was by any direction of his that the Israelites went out against the Philistines. Had they consulted him, though but newly initiated as a prophet, his counsel might have stood them in more stead than the presence of the ark did; but perhaps the princes of Israel despised his youth, and would not have recourse to him as an oracle, and he... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 4:3

And when the people came into the camp ,.... At Ebenezer, where they pitched their tents, and from whence they went out to battle, and whither they returned after their defeat: the elders of Israel said, wherefore hath the Lord smitten us today before the Philistines ? they were right in ascribing it to the Lord, who had suffered them to be defeated by their enemies, but it is strange they should be so insensible of the cause of it; there was a reason ready at hand, their sins and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 4:4

So the people sent to Shiloh ,.... They liked the proposal of the elders, took their advice, and joined with them in a message to Eli the high priest at Shiloh: that they might bring from thence the ark of the covenant of the Lord of hosts, which dwelleth between the cherubim ; which overshadowed the mercy seat that was upon the ark, and was the residence of the divine Majesty; wherefore having this with them, they concluded they should have the presence of God with them, and so success,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 4:5

And when the ark of the covenant of the Lord came into the camp ,.... Being brought thither by the men that carried it: all Israel shouted with a great shout , so that the earth rang again; this they did as now sure of victory, because of the ark, and to give spirit and courage to each other to go forth to battle, and to strike a panic into their enemies. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 4:6

And when the Philistines heard the noise of the shout ,.... For it being so loud as to make the earth ring, it was heard in the camp of the Philistines, which might not be at any great distance from the camp of Israel; how far from each other were Aphek and Ebenezer is not certain: they said, what meaneth the noise of this great shout in the camp of the Hebrews ? they could not conceive what should be the reason of it, seeing they had no occasion to shout for joy, having been lately... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 4:3

Let us fetch the ark - They vainly supposed that the ark could save them, when the God of it had departed from them because of their wickedness. They knew that in former times their fathers had been beaten by their enemies, when they took not the ark with them to battle; as in the case of their wars with the Canaanites, Numbers 14:44 , Numbers 14:45 ; and that they had conquered when they took this with them, as in the case of the destruction of Jericho, Joshua 6:4 . From the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 4:4

The Lord of hosts - See on 1 Samuel 1:3 ; (note). Dwelleth between the cherubims - Of what shape the cherubim were, we know not; but there was one of these representative figures placed at each end of the ark of the covenant; and between them, on the lid or cover of that ark, which was called the propitiatory or mercy-seat, the shechinah, or symbol of the Divine presence, was said to dwell. They thought, therefore, if they had the ark, they must necessarily have the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 4:5

All Israel shouted - Had they humbled themselves, and prayed devoutly and fervently for success, they would have been heard and saved. Their shouting proved both their vanity and irreligion. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 4:1-11

Moral causes of disaster. Assuming that the first sentence properly belongs to the third chapter, and refers generally to the acceptance of Samuel as prophet by the whole nation, the section ( 1 Samuel 4:1-11 ) sets forth the following facts:— 1 . Israel, suffering from subjection to the Philistines, enters on war for the recovery of freedom and suffers defeat. 2 . Ordinary means failing, recourse is had to the ark of God in order to insure success. 3 . The visible presence... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 4:3

When the people were come into the camp. Before the battle Israel had entrenched itself, so that upon its defeat it had a place capable of defence into which to retire. We find also that their communications were open, so that they could send to Shiloh. The army is called the people because battles were not fought in those days by men specially trained, but by all the inhabitants of the country of the proper age. The question, Wherefore hath Jehovah smitten us? expresses surprise. The... read more

Group of Brands