1 Samuel 4

2 The Philistines lined up in battle formation against Israel, and as the battle intensified, Israel was defeated by the Philistines, who struck down about four thousand men on the battlefield.

3 When the troops returned to the camp, the elders of Israel asked, "Why did the Lord defeat us today before the Philistines?  * 4:3 Jos 7:7–8 Let’s bring the ark of the Lord’s covenant from Shiloh. Then it  * 4:3 Or he will go with us and save us from our enemies."  * 4:3 Nm 10:35; Jos 6:64 So the people sent men to Shiloh to bring back the ark of the covenant of the Lord of Armies, who is enthroned between the cherubim.  * 4:4 Ex 25:22; Nm 7:89 Eli’s two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, were there with the ark of the covenant of God. 5 When the ark of the covenant of the Lord entered the camp, all the Israelites raised such a loud shout that the ground shook.  * 4:5 Jos 6:5,20

6 The Philistines heard the sound of the war cry and asked, "What’s this loud shout in the Hebrews’ camp? " When the Philistines discovered that the ark of the Lord had entered the camp, 7 they panicked. "A god has entered their camp! " they said. "Woe to us! Nothing like this has happened before. 8 Woe to us! Who will rescue us from these magnificent gods? These are the gods that slaughtered the Egyptians with all kinds of plagues in the wilderness. 9 Show some courage and be men, Philistines!  * 4:9 1Co 16:13 Otherwise, you’ll serve the Hebrews just as they served you.  * 4:9 Jdg 13:1; 1Sm 14:21 Now be men and fight! "

10 So the Philistines fought, and Israel was defeated,  * 4:10 Dt 28:15,25; 1Sm 4:2 and each man fled to his tent.  * 4:10 2Sm 18:17; 2Kg 14:12 The slaughter was severe — thirty thousand of the Israelite foot soldiers fell. 11 The ark of God was captured, and Eli’s two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, died.  * 4:11 1Sm 2:34; Ps 78:56–64