1 Samuel 4:3
And when the people were come into the camp, the elders of Israel said, Wherefore hath the LORD smitten us to day before the Philistines? Let us fetch the ark of the covenant of the LORD out of Shiloh unto us, that, when it cometh among us, it may save us out of the hand of our enemies.
Original Language Analysis
וְיָבֹ֣א
unto us that when it cometh
H935
וְיָבֹ֣א
unto us that when it cometh
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
1 of 25
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
הָעָם֮
And when the people
H5971
הָעָם֮
And when the people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
2 of 25
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
הַֽמַּחֲנֶה֒
into the camp
H4264
הַֽמַּחֲנֶה֒
into the camp
Strong's:
H4264
Word #:
4 of 25
an encampment (of travellers or troops); hence, an army, whether literal (of soldiers) or figurative (of dancers, angels, cattle, locusts, stars; or e
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
7 of 25
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
לָ֣מָּה
H4100
לָ֣מָּה
Strong's:
H4100
Word #:
8 of 25
properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
נְגָפָ֧נוּ
smitten
H5062
נְגָפָ֧נוּ
smitten
Strong's:
H5062
Word #:
9 of 25
to push, gore, defeat, stub (the toe), inflict (a disease)
יְהוָ֔ה
Wherefore hath the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֔ה
Wherefore hath the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
10 of 25
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
הַיּ֖וֹם
us to day
H3117
הַיּ֖וֹם
us to day
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
11 of 25
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
לִפְנֵ֣י
before
H6440
לִפְנֵ֣י
before
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
12 of 25
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
the Philistines
H6430
פְלִשְׁתִּ֑ים
the Philistines
Strong's:
H6430
Word #:
13 of 25
a pelishtite or inhabitant of pelesheth
נִקְחָ֧ה
Let us fetch
H3947
נִקְחָ֧ה
Let us fetch
Strong's:
H3947
Word #:
14 of 25
to take (in the widest variety of applications)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
17 of 25
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
בְּרִ֣ית
of the covenant
H1285
בְּרִ֣ית
of the covenant
Strong's:
H1285
Word #:
19 of 25
a compact (because made by passing between pieces of flesh)
יְהוָ֔ה
Wherefore hath the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֔ה
Wherefore hath the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
20 of 25
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
וְיָבֹ֣א
unto us that when it cometh
H935
וְיָבֹ֣א
unto us that when it cometh
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
21 of 25
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
בְקִרְבֵּ֔נוּ
among
H7130
בְקִרְבֵּ֔נוּ
among
Strong's:
H7130
Word #:
22 of 25
properly, the nearest part, i.e., the center, whether literal, figurative or adverbial (especially with preposition)
וְיֹֽשִׁעֵ֖נוּ
us it may save
H3467
וְיֹֽשִׁעֵ֖נוּ
us it may save
Strong's:
H3467
Word #:
23 of 25
properly, to be open, wide or free, i.e., (by implication) to be safe; causatively, to free or succor
Historical Context
The Ark's military function in Israel's early history (crossing Jordan, conquering Jericho) created precedent for expecting victory in its presence. But those victories came with covenant faithfulness; the Ark alone guaranteed nothing.
Questions for Reflection
- How do religious symbols sometimes replace genuine relationship with God?
- What objects or practices might function as 'magic talismans' in contemporary Christianity?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The elders' statement reveals both right and wrong. Rightly, they acknowledge the LORD 'smote us.' Wrongly, they conclude that bringing the Ark will guarantee deliverance. The phrase 'when it cometh among us, it may save us' treats the Ark as an independent power source. Notice the shift from 'the LORD' to 'it' - the object has replaced the Person. This theological error - trusting symbols rather than the God they represent - recurs throughout Israel's history and into the church age.