1 Samuel 4:2
And the Philistines put themselves in array against Israel: and when they joined battle, Israel was smitten before the Philistines: and they slew of the army in the field about four thousand men.
Original Language Analysis
וַיַּֽעַרְכ֨וּ
put themselves in array
H6186
וַיַּֽעַרְכ֨וּ
put themselves in array
Strong's:
H6186
Word #:
1 of 16
to set in a row, i.e., arrange, put in order (in a very wide variety of applications)
פְלִשְׁתִּ֑ים
And the Philistines
H6430
פְלִשְׁתִּ֑ים
And the Philistines
Strong's:
H6430
Word #:
2 of 16
a pelishtite or inhabitant of pelesheth
לִקְרַ֣את
against
H7125
לִקְרַ֣את
against
Strong's:
H7125
Word #:
3 of 16
an encountering, accidental, friendly or hostile (also adverbially, opposite)
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל
Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל
Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
4 of 16
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
וַתִּטֹּשׁ֙
and when they joined
H5203
וַתִּטֹּשׁ֙
and when they joined
Strong's:
H5203
Word #:
5 of 16
properly, to pound, i.e., smite; by implication (as if beating out, and thus expanding) to disperse; also, to thrust off, down, out or upon (inclusive
הַמִּלְחָמָ֔ה
battle
H4421
הַמִּלְחָמָ֔ה
battle
Strong's:
H4421
Word #:
6 of 16
a battle (i.e., the engagement); generally, war (i.e., war-fare)
וַיִּנָּ֥גֶף
was smitten
H5062
וַיִּנָּ֥גֶף
was smitten
Strong's:
H5062
Word #:
7 of 16
to push, gore, defeat, stub (the toe), inflict (a disease)
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל
Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל
Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
8 of 16
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
לִפְנֵ֣י
before
H6440
לִפְנֵ֣י
before
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
9 of 16
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
פְלִשְׁתִּ֑ים
And the Philistines
H6430
פְלִשְׁתִּ֑ים
And the Philistines
Strong's:
H6430
Word #:
10 of 16
a pelishtite or inhabitant of pelesheth
וַיַּכּ֤וּ
and they slew
H5221
וַיַּכּ֤וּ
and they slew
Strong's:
H5221
Word #:
11 of 16
to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)
בַמַּֽעֲרָכָה֙
of the army
H4634
בַמַּֽעֲרָכָה֙
of the army
Strong's:
H4634
Word #:
12 of 16
an arrangement; concretely, a pile; specifically a military array
Historical Context
The Ark of the Covenant represented God's throne and presence among His people. Its association with military victory (Numbers 10:35; Joshua 6) led to the temptation to treat it as a guarantee of divine assistance regardless of Israel's spiritual condition.
Questions for Reflection
- How do people today attempt to manipulate religious symbols for personal benefit?
- What is the difference between trusting God and treating religious objects as magical protections?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The initial defeat - four thousand Israelites killed - prompts self-examination. The elders' question 'Wherefore hath the LORD smitten us?' shows theological awareness: defeat comes from the LORD, not merely from Philistine superiority. Their solution, however, reveals dangerous theology: bring the Ark to make it 'save us.' The Ark becomes a magical talisman rather than symbol of covenant relationship. They seek the benefits of God's presence without the requirements of covenant faithfulness. This religious manipulation will prove disastrous.