1 Samuel 4:2

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1 And the word of Samuel came to all¹ Israel. Now Israel went out to battle against the Philistines, and encamped beside ^aEbenezer; and the Philistines encamped in Aphek.

The Ark of God Captured

2 Then the ^aPhilistines put themselves in battle array against Israel. And when they joined battle, Israel was¹ defeated by the Philistines, who killed about four thousand men of the army in the field.

3 And when the people had come into the camp, the elders of Israel said, “Why has the Lord defeated us today before the Philistines? ^aLet us bring the ark of the covenant of the Lord from Shiloh to us, that when it comes among us it may save us from the hand of our enemies.”

4 So the people sent to Shiloh, that they might bring from there the ark of the covenant of the Lord of hosts, ^awho dwells between ^bthe cherubim. And the ^ctwo sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were there with the ark of the covenant of God.

5 And when the ark of the covenant of the Lord came into the camp, all Israel shouted so loudly that the earth shook.

Commentaries:

Adam Clarke

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1 Samuel 4:2

Put themselves in array - There is no doubt that both the Philistines and Israelites had what might be called the art of war, according to which they marshalled their troops in the field, constructed their camps, and conducted their retreats, sieges, etc.; but we know not the principles on which they acted.

They slew of the army in the field about four thousand men - This must have been a severe conflict, as four thousand were left dead on the field of battle. The contest also must have lasted some considerable time, as these were all slain hand to hand; swords and spears being in all probability the only weapons then used.

**Other Adam Clarke entries containing 1 Samuel 4:2:**

1 Samuel 2:34

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