1 Samuel 4:1
And the word of Samuel came to all Israel. Now Israel went out against the Philistines to battle, and pitched beside Eben-ezer: and the Philistines pitched in Aphek.
Original Language Analysis
וַיְהִ֥י
H1961
וַיְהִ֥י
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
1 of 17
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
דְבַר
And the word
H1697
דְבַר
And the word
Strong's:
H1697
Word #:
2 of 17
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
לְכָל
H3605
לְכָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
4 of 17
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
יִשְׂרָאֵל֩
Now Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵל֩
Now Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
5 of 17
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
וַיֵּצֵ֣א
went out
H3318
וַיֵּצֵ֣א
went out
Strong's:
H3318
Word #:
6 of 17
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
יִשְׂרָאֵל֩
Now Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵל֩
Now Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
7 of 17
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
לִקְרַ֨את
against
H7125
לִקְרַ֨את
against
Strong's:
H7125
Word #:
8 of 17
an encountering, accidental, friendly or hostile (also adverbially, opposite)
וּפְלִשְׁתִּ֖ים
and the Philistines
H6430
וּפְלִשְׁתִּ֖ים
and the Philistines
Strong's:
H6430
Word #:
9 of 17
a pelishtite or inhabitant of pelesheth
לַמִּלְחָמָ֗ה
to battle
H4421
לַמִּלְחָמָ֗ה
to battle
Strong's:
H4421
Word #:
10 of 17
a battle (i.e., the engagement); generally, war (i.e., war-fare)
חָנ֥וּ
and pitched
H2583
חָנ֥וּ
and pitched
Strong's:
H2583
Word #:
11 of 17
properly, to incline; by implication, to decline (of the slanting rays of evening); specifically, to pitch a tent; generally to encamp (for abode or s
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
12 of 17
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
וּפְלִשְׁתִּ֖ים
and the Philistines
H6430
וּפְלִשְׁתִּ֖ים
and the Philistines
Strong's:
H6430
Word #:
15 of 17
a pelishtite or inhabitant of pelesheth
Cross References
1 Samuel 29:1Now the Philistines gathered together all their armies to Aphek: and the Israelites pitched by a fountain which is in Jezreel.1 Samuel 7:12Then Samuel took a stone, and set it between Mizpeh and Shen, and called the name of it Eben-ezer, saying, Hitherto hath the LORD helped us.1 Samuel 5:1And the Philistines took the ark of God, and brought it from Eben-ezer unto Ashdod.
Historical Context
The Philistines, part of the Sea Peoples who arrived around 1200 BCE, posed the greatest military threat to early Israel. Their superior iron technology and organized military structure gave them significant advantages over the loosely confederated Israelite tribes.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God use external crises to address internal spiritual problems?
- What relationship do you see between Israel's military situation and their spiritual condition?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Chapter 4 opens with a transition: 'the word of Samuel came to all Israel.' Samuel now speaks with prophetic authority, though the narrative quickly shifts to the Philistine crisis. Israel's battle against the Philistines near Ebenezer results in catastrophic defeat. The geographic markers (Ebenezer, Aphek) locate the conflict in the central hill country, Philistine territory encroaching on Israelite land. This military crisis becomes the context for theological judgment - God will use foreign enemies to discipline His people and remove the corrupted priesthood.