1 Samuel 4:10
1 Samuel 4:10 in Multiple Translations
So the Philistines fought, and Israel was defeated, and each man fled to his tent. The slaughter was very great—thirty thousand foot soldiers of Israel fell.
¶ And the Philistines fought, and Israel was smitten, and they fled every man into his tent: and there was a very great slaughter; for there fell of Israel thirty thousand footmen.
And the Philistines fought, and Israel was smitten, and they fled every man to his tent: and there was a very great slaughter; for there fell of Israel thirty thousand footmen.
So the Philistines went to the fight, and Israel was overcome, and every man went in flight to his tent: and great was the destruction, for thirty thousand footmen of Israel were put to the sword.
So the Philistines fought, and the Israelites were defeated—every man ran away home. The death toll was very large: thirty thousand of the Israelite infantry were killed.
And the Philistims fought, and Israel was smitten downe, and fled euery man into his tent: and there was an exceeding great slaughter: for there fell of Israel thirtie thousand footemen.
And the Philistines fight, and Israel is smitten, and they flee each to his tents, and the blow is very great, and there fall of Israel thirty thousand footmen;
The Philistines fought, and Israel was defeated, and each man fled to his tent. There was a very great slaughter; for thirty thousand footmen of Israel fell.
And the Philistines fought, and Israel was smitten, and they fled every man into his tent: and there was a very great slaughter, for there fell of Israel thirty thousand footmen.
So the Philistines fought, and Israel was overthrown, and every man fled to his own dwelling: and there was an exceeding great slaughter; for there fell of Israel thirty thousand footmen.
So the Philistine men fought very hard, and they defeated the Israelis. They killed 30,000 Israeli soldiers, and the other Israeli soldiers fled and ran away to their tents.
And they really did get properly strong. They attacked the Israel mob again, and they killed dead lots of Israel’s soldiers. 30,000 of them died. Then the Philistia mob stole God’s special box. And they killed dead Eli’s 2 sons, Hofni and Finiyas. They died there too. The other Israel soldiers, they just ran away. They ran straight back home.
Berean Amplified Bible — 1 Samuel 4:10
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
1 Samuel 4:10 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/יִּלָּחֲמ֣וּ
פְלִשְׁתִּ֗ים
וַ/יִּנָּ֤גֶף
יִשְׂרָאֵל֙
וַ/יָּנֻ֨סוּ֙
אִ֣ישׁ
לְ/אֹהָלָ֔י/ו
וַ/תְּהִ֥י
הַ/מַּכָּ֖ה
גְּדוֹלָ֣ה
מְאֹ֑ד
וַ/יִּפֹּל֙
מִ/יִּשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
שְׁלֹשִׁ֥ים
אֶ֖לֶף
רַגְלִֽי
וַ/יִּלָּחֲמ֣וּ
lâcham
H3898
to fight
Conj | V-Niphal-ConsecImperf-3mp
פְלִשְׁתִּ֗ים
Pᵉlishtîy
H6430
Philistines
Ngmpa
וַ/יִּנָּ֤גֶף
nâgaph
H5062
to strike
Conj | V-Niphal-ConsecImperf-3ms
יִשְׂרָאֵל֙
Yisrâʼêl
H3478
Israel
N-proper
וַ/יָּנֻ֨סוּ֙
nûwç
H5127
to flee
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp
אִ֣ישׁ
ʼîysh
H376
man
N-ms
לְ/אֹהָלָ֔י/ו
ʼôhel
H168
tent
Prep | N-mp | Suff
וַ/תְּהִ֥י
hâyâh
H1961
to be
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3fs
הַ/מַּכָּ֖ה
makkâh
H4347
wound
Art | N-fs
גְּדוֹלָ֣ה
gâdôwl
H1419
Great (Sea)
Adj
מְאֹ֑ד
mᵉʼôd
H3966
much
Adv
וַ/יִּפֹּל֙
nâphal
H5307
to fall
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
מִ/יִּשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
Yisrâʼêl
H3478
Israel
Prep | N-proper
שְׁלֹשִׁ֥ים
shᵉlôwshîym
H7970
thirty
Adj
אֶ֖לֶף
ʼeleph
H505
thousand
Adj
רַגְלִֽי
raglîy
H7273
on foot
Adj
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
Use ← → arrow keys to navigate between words.
Hebrew Word Reference — 1 Samuel 4:10
וַ/יִּלָּחֲמ֣וּ
lâcham
H3898
"to fight"
Conj | V-Niphal-ConsecImperf-3mp
In the Bible, this word means to feed on or consume something, often referring to eating food or battling against someone. It's used in stories like David's battles and the Israelites' struggles in the wilderness.
Definition: 1) to fight, do battle, make war 1a) (Qal) to fight, do battle 1b) (Niphal) to engage in battle, wage war
Usage: Occurs in 171 OT verses. KJV: devour, eat, [idiom] ever, fight(-ing), overcome, prevail, (make) war(-ring). See also: Exodus 1:10; 2 Samuel 8:10; Psalms 35:1.
פְלִשְׁתִּ֗ים
Pᵉlishtîy
H6430
"Philistines"
Ngmpa
A Philistine is a person from the region of Philistia, which was inhabited by immigrants from other places. The Philistines were known for their conflicts with the Israelites, as recorded in the Bible. They were a distinct ethnic group.
Definition: Philistine = "immigrants" an inhabitant of Philistia; descendants of Mizraim who immigrated from Caphtor (Crete?) to the western seacoast of Canaan Another name of ga.dol (גָּדוֹל "Great( Sea)" H1419J)
Usage: Occurs in 244 OT verses. KJV: Philistine. See also: Genesis 10:14; 1 Samuel 17:8; 1 Chronicles 10:1.
וַ/יִּנָּ֤גֶף
nâgaph
H5062
"to strike"
Conj | V-Niphal-ConsecImperf-3ms
To strike or smite is the meaning of this Hebrew word, used in Joshua to describe battles and in Psalms to describe God's judgment. It can also mean to stumble or hurt someone, and is used in various contexts throughout the Bible.
Definition: 1) to strike, smite 1a) (Qal) to strike, smite 1b) (Niphal) to be stricken, be smitten 1c) (Hithpael) to stumble
Usage: Occurs in 46 OT verses. KJV: beat, dash, hurt, plague, slay, smite (down), strike, stumble, [idiom] surely, put to the worse. See also: Exodus 7:27; 2 Samuel 10:15; Psalms 89:24.
יִשְׂרָאֵל֙
Yisrâʼêl
H3478
"Israel"
N-proper
Israel is the symbolic name of Jacob, also referring to his descendants. Jacob, son of Isaac and Rebekah, had 12 sons who became the tribes of Israel, as told in Genesis 25:26. His story is crucial to the Bible's narrative.
Definition: A man living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.25.26; son of: Isaac (H3327) and Rebekah (H7259); brother of: Esau (H6215); married to Rachel (H7354), Leah (H3812), Zilpah (H2153) and Bilhah (H1090A); father of: Reuben (H7205), Simeon (H8095), Levi (H3878), Judah (H3063), Dan (H1835H), Naphtali (H5321), Gad (H1410), Asher (H0836), Issachar (H3485), Zebulun (H2074), Dinah (H1783), Joseph (H3130) and Benjamin (H1144); also called Jacob frequently § Israel = "God prevails" 1) the second name for Jacob given to him by God after his wrestling with the angel at Peniel 2) the name of the descendants and the nation of the descendants of Jacob 2a) the name of the nation until the death of Solomon and the split 2b) the name used and given to the northern kingdom consisting of the 10 tribes under Jeroboam; the southern kingdom was known as Judah 2c) the name of the nation after the return from exile
Usage: Occurs in 2231 OT verses. KJV: Israel. See also: Genesis 32:29; Exodus 13:18; Exodus 40:38.
וַ/יָּנֻ֨סוּ֙
nûwç
H5127
"to flee"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp
To flee means to quickly leave a place, like escaping from danger, as seen in the Bible when David fled from King Saul. It can also mean to disappear or vanish. In the book of Psalms, it describes God delivering his people from harm.
Definition: 1) to flee, escape 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to flee 1a2) to escape 1a3) to take flight, m depart, disappear 1a4) to fly (to the attack) on horseback 1b) (Polel) to drive at 1c) (Hithpolel) to take flight 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to put to flight 1d2) to drive hastily 1d3) to cause to disappear, hide Aramaic equivalent: nud (נוּד "to flee" H5111)
Usage: Occurs in 143 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] abate, away, be displayed, (make to) flee (away, -ing), put to flight, [idiom] hide, lift up a standard. See also: Genesis 14:10; 2 Samuel 17:2; Psalms 60:6.
אִ֣ישׁ
ʼîysh
H376
"man"
N-ms
The Hebrew word for man, referring to a male person or individual, is used in the Bible to describe humans in contrast to God or animals, as seen in Genesis and Psalms. It can also mean husband or servant. In the KJV, it is translated as man or male.
Definition: : man 1) man 1a) man, male (in contrast to woman, female) 1b) husband 1c) human being, person (in contrast to God) 1d) servant 1e) mankind 1f) champion 1g) great man 2) whosoever 3) each (adjective)
Usage: Occurs in 1851 OT verses. KJV: also, another, any (man), a certain, [phrase] champion, consent, each, every (one), fellow, (foot-, husband-) man, (good-, great, mighty) man, he, high (degree), him (that is), husband, man(-kind), [phrase] none, one, people, person, [phrase] steward, what (man) soever, whoso(-ever), worthy. Compare H802 (אִשָּׁה). See also: Genesis 2:23; Genesis 42:25; Exodus 32:23.
לְ/אֹהָלָ֔י/ו
ʼôhel
H168
"tent"
Prep | N-mp | Suff
The Hebrew word for a tent, often used to describe the tabernacle or a nomad's home. In Exodus 33:7-11, it refers to the sacred tent where God meets with Moses.
Definition: : tent 1) tent 1a) nomad's tent, and thus symbolic of wilderness life, transience 1b) dwelling, home, habitation 1c) the sacred tent of Jehovah (the tabernacle) Also means: o.hel (אֹ֫הֶל ": home" H0168H)
Usage: Occurs in 314 OT verses. KJV: covering, (dwelling) (place), home, tabernacle, tent. See also: Genesis 4:20; Leviticus 14:23; Joshua 22:4.
וַ/תְּהִ֥י
hâyâh
H1961
"to be"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3fs
The Hebrew word for to be means to exist or come into being. It is used to describe something that happens or comes to pass, like in Genesis where God creates the world.
Definition: 1) to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out 1a) (Qal) 1a1) --- 1a1a) to happen, fall out, occur, take place, come about, come to pass 1a1b) to come about, come to pass 1a2) to come into being, become 1a2a) to arise, appear, come 1a2b) to become 1a2b1) to become 1a2b2) to become like 1a2b3) to be instituted, be established 1a3) to be 1a3a) to exist, be in existence 1a3b) to abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time) 1a3c) to stand, lie, be in, be at, be situated (with word of locality) 1a3d) to accompany, be with 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to occur, come to pass, be done, be brought about 1b2) to be done, be finished, be gone
Usage: Occurs in 3131 OT verses. KJV: beacon, [idiom] altogether, be(-come), accomplished, committed, like), break, cause, come (to pass), do, faint, fall, [phrase] follow, happen, [idiom] have, last, pertain, quit (one-) self, require, [idiom] use. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 17:4; Genesis 36:11.
הַ/מַּכָּ֖ה
makkâh
H4347
"wound"
Art | N-fs
A wound or blow, also referring to carnage, pestilence, or defeat. It can describe physical harm, like a beating, or widespread suffering, like a plague.
Definition: 1) blow, wound, slaughter 1a) blow, stripe 1b) beating, scourging 1c) wound 1d) slaughter 1e) defeat, conquest 1f) plague
Usage: Occurs in 46 OT verses. KJV: beaten, blow, plague, slaughter, smote, [idiom] sore, stripe, stroke, wound(-ed). See also: Leviticus 26:21; 2 Chronicles 22:6; Psalms 64:8.
גְּדוֹלָ֣ה
gâdôwl
H1419
"Great (Sea)"
Adj
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means something or someone great, whether in size, age, or importance. It appears in descriptions of the Great Sea and the Philistines. The word is used to convey a sense of magnitude or grandeur.
Definition: adj great Also named: pe.lish.ti (פְּלִשְׁתִּי "(Sea of the )Philistines" H6430I)
Usage: Occurs in 499 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] aloud, elder(-est), [phrase] exceeding(-ly), [phrase] far, (man of) great (man, matter, thing,-er,-ness), high, long, loud, mighty, more, much, noble, proud thing, [idiom] sore, ([idiom]) very. See also: Genesis 1:16; Joshua 7:26; 1 Kings 20:13.
מְאֹ֑ד
mᵉʼôd
H3966
"much"
Adv
Meod means 'much' or 'very' and is used to emphasize something. It can mean 'exceedingly' or 'greatly' and is often used to show strong feelings or actions.
Definition: adv 1) exceedingly, much subst 2) might, force, abundance n m 3) muchness, force, abundance, exceedingly 3a) force, might 3b) exceedingly, greatly, very (idioms showing magnitude or degree) 3b1) exceedingly 3b2) up to abundance, to a great degree, exceedingly 3b3) with muchness, muchness
Usage: Occurs in 278 OT verses. KJV: diligently, especially, exceeding(-ly), far, fast, good, great(-ly), [idiom] louder and louder, might(-ily, -y), (so) much, quickly, (so) sore, utterly, very ([phrase] much, sore), well. See also: Genesis 1:31; 1 Samuel 11:6; Psalms 6:4.
וַ/יִּפֹּל֙
nâphal
H5307
"to fall"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to fall, and it's used in many ways, like falling down, failing, or being defeated. It appears in books like Genesis and Isaiah. God's people often fell away from Him, but He always offered a way back.
Definition: : fall/drop/fail 1) to fall, lie, be cast down, fail 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to fall 1a2) to fall (of violent death) 1a3) to fall prostrate, prostrate oneself before 1a4) to fall upon, attack, desert, fall away to, go away to, fall into the hand of 1a5) to fall short, fail, fall out, turn out, result 1a6) to settle, waste away, be offered, be inferior to 1a7) to lie, lie prostrate 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) to cause to fall, fell, throw down, knock out, lay prostrate 1b2) to overthrow 1b3) to make the lot fall, assign by lot, apportion by lot 1b4) to let drop, cause to fail (fig.) 1b5) to cause to fall 1c) (Hithpael) 1c1) to throw or prostrate oneself, throw oneself upon 1c2) to lie prostrate, prostrate oneself 1d) (Pilel) to fall
Usage: Occurs in 403 OT verses. KJV: be accepted, cast (down, self, (lots), out), cease, die, divide (by lot), (let) fail, (cause to, let, make, ready to) fall (away, down, -en, -ing), fell(-ing), fugitive, have (inheritance), inferior, be judged (by mistake for H6419 (פָּלַל)), lay (along), (cause to) lie down, light (down), be ([idiom] hast) lost, lying, overthrow, overwhelm, perish, present(-ed, -ing), (make to) rot, slay, smite out, [idiom] surely, throw down. See also: Genesis 2:21; 1 Samuel 17:52; Esther 9:3.
מִ/יִּשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
Yisrâʼêl
H3478
"Israel"
Prep | N-proper
Israel is the symbolic name of Jacob, also referring to his descendants. Jacob, son of Isaac and Rebekah, had 12 sons who became the tribes of Israel, as told in Genesis 25:26. His story is crucial to the Bible's narrative.
Definition: A man living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.25.26; son of: Isaac (H3327) and Rebekah (H7259); brother of: Esau (H6215); married to Rachel (H7354), Leah (H3812), Zilpah (H2153) and Bilhah (H1090A); father of: Reuben (H7205), Simeon (H8095), Levi (H3878), Judah (H3063), Dan (H1835H), Naphtali (H5321), Gad (H1410), Asher (H0836), Issachar (H3485), Zebulun (H2074), Dinah (H1783), Joseph (H3130) and Benjamin (H1144); also called Jacob frequently § Israel = "God prevails" 1) the second name for Jacob given to him by God after his wrestling with the angel at Peniel 2) the name of the descendants and the nation of the descendants of Jacob 2a) the name of the nation until the death of Solomon and the split 2b) the name used and given to the northern kingdom consisting of the 10 tribes under Jeroboam; the southern kingdom was known as Judah 2c) the name of the nation after the return from exile
Usage: Occurs in 2231 OT verses. KJV: Israel. See also: Genesis 32:29; Exodus 13:18; Exodus 40:38.
שְׁלֹשִׁ֥ים
shᵉlôwshîym
H7970
"thirty"
Adj
Thirty is the meaning of this Hebrew word, which can also be used as an ordinal to describe something as thirtieth. It is used to count quantities in the Bible.
Definition: thirty, thirtieth Aramaic equivalent: te.la.tin (תְּלָתִין "thirty" H8533)
Usage: Occurs in 163 OT verses. KJV: thirty, thirtieth. Compare H7991 (שָׁלִישׁ). See also: Genesis 5:3; 1 Samuel 11:8; Jeremiah 38:10.
אֶ֖לֶף
ʼeleph
H505
"thousand"
Adj
A thousand, as in Exodus 20:6 where God shows love to thousands of people. It represents a large number or a company of people under one leader, like an army or a group of soldiers.
Definition: : thousand 1) a thousand 1a) as numeral 2) a thousand, company 2a) as a company of men under one leader, troops
Usage: Occurs in 390 OT verses. KJV: thousand. See also: Genesis 20:16; Joshua 3:4; 2 Kings 18:23.
רַגְלִֽי
raglîy
H7273
"on foot"
Adj
This word means on foot or a foot soldier, like when David fought Goliath in 1 Samuel 17:51. It describes someone who travels or fights without a horse or vehicle.
Definition: 1) on foot 1a) man on foot, footman, foot soldier
Usage: Occurs in 12 OT verses. KJV: (on) foot(-man). See also: Exodus 12:37; 2 Samuel 10:6; Jeremiah 12:5.
Study Notes — 1 Samuel 4:10
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- 1 Samuel 4:10 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on 1 Samuel 4:10
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Samuel 4:10
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on 1 Samuel 4:10
- Trapp's Commentary on 1 Samuel 4:10
- Ellicott's Commentary on 1 Samuel 4:10
- Cambridge Bible on 1 Samuel 4:10
- Whedon's Commentary on 1 Samuel 4:10
- Sermons on 1 Samuel 4:10
Context — The Philistines Capture the Ark
8Woe to us! Who will deliver us from the hand of these mighty gods? These are the gods who struck the Egyptians with all kinds of plagues in the wilderness.
9Take courage and be men, O Philistines! Otherwise, you will serve the Hebrews just as they served you. Now be men and fight!”
10So the Philistines fought, and Israel was defeated, and each man fled to his tent. The slaughter was very great—thirty thousand foot soldiers of Israel fell.
11The ark of God was captured, and Eli’s two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, died. 12That same day a Benjamite ran from the battle line all the way to Shiloh, with his clothes torn and dirt on his head.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Leviticus 26:17 | And I will set My face against you, so that you will be defeated by your enemies. Those who hate you will rule over you, and you will flee when no one pursues you. |
| 2 | 2 Kings 14:12 | And Judah was routed before Israel, and every man fled to his home. |
| 3 | Deuteronomy 28:25 | The LORD will cause you to be defeated before your enemies. You will march out against them in one direction but flee from them in seven. You will be an object of horror to all the kingdoms of the earth. |
| 4 | 1 Samuel 4:2 | The Philistines arrayed themselves against Israel, and as the battle spread, Israel was defeated by the Philistines, who struck down about four thousand men on the battlefield. |
| 5 | 2 Samuel 18:17 | They took Absalom, cast him into a large pit in the forest, and piled a huge mound of stones over him. Meanwhile, all the Israelites fled, each to his home. |
| 6 | Psalms 78:60–64 | He abandoned the tabernacle of Shiloh, the tent He had pitched among men. He delivered His strength to captivity, and His splendor to the hand of the adversary. He surrendered His people to the sword because He was enraged by His heritage. Fire consumed His young men, and their maidens were left without wedding songs. His priests fell by the sword, but their widows could not lament. |
| 7 | 2 Chronicles 28:5–6 | So the LORD his God delivered Ahaz into the hand of the king of Aram, who attacked him and took many captives to Damascus. Ahaz was also delivered into the hand of the king of Israel, who struck him with great force. For in one day Pekah son of Remaliah killed 120,000 valiant men in Judah. This happened because they had forsaken the LORD, the God of their fathers. |
| 8 | 2 Chronicles 13:17 | Then Abijah and his people struck them with a mighty blow, and 500,000 chosen men of Israel fell slain. |
| 9 | Psalms 78:9 | The archers of Ephraim turned back on the day of battle. |
| 10 | 2 Samuel 18:7 | There the people of Israel were defeated by David’s servants, and the slaughter was great that day—twenty thousand men. |
1 Samuel 4:10 Summary
This verse tells us that the Philistines fought against the Israelites and won, causing many Israelites to flee and thirty thousand foot soldiers to be killed. This defeat was a result of the Israelites' sin and lack of faith in God (1 Samuel 2:12-17, Judges 2:10-13). The Israelites had forgotten that their strength and protection come from God, not from their own abilities or military might (Psalm 20:7, Proverbs 21:31). We can learn from their mistake by putting our trust in God and seeking His guidance and protection in our lives.
Frequently Asked Questions
What led to the defeat of Israel in this battle?
The Israelites' defeat was likely due to their own sinful state and lack of faith in God, as seen in their recent idolatry and disobedience (Judges 2:10-13, 1 Samuel 2:12-17).
Why did the Philistines fight so fiercely against Israel?
The Philistines fought fiercely because they were motivated by a desire to prove their own strength and the power of their gods, and to avoid being subjegated by the Israelites (1 Samuel 4:9).
What is the significance of the large number of casualties mentioned in this verse?
The thirty thousand foot soldiers who fell in battle signifies the severity of the defeat and the judgment of God upon the Israelites for their sin and disobedience (Deuteronomy 28:25, Isaiah 10:16).
How does this verse relate to the rest of the biblical narrative?
This verse is part of a larger story of the Israelites' struggle with sin and disobedience, and God's patience and mercy towards them, as seen in the books of 1 Samuel and the history of the Old Testament (1 Samuel 7:3-4, 2 Chronicles 7:14).
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways that I can ensure I am not trusting in my own strength, but in God's power and provision in my life?
- How can I learn from the mistakes of the Israelites in this verse, and apply those lessons to my own walk with God?
- In what ways can I be more mindful of the spiritual battles that are taking place around me, and seek God's protection and guidance in those battles?
- What are some areas in my life where I may be experiencing 'defeat' or struggle, and how can I seek God's help and restoration in those areas?
Gill's Exposition on 1 Samuel 4:10
And the Philistines fought,.... With great ardour and spirit, quitted themselves like men of valour and courage, their case being desperate as they imagined, since God was in the camp of Israel: and
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Samuel 4:10
And the Philistines fought, and Israel was smitten, and they fled every man into his tent: and there was a very great slaughter; for there fell of Israel thirty thousand footmen. There fell of Israel thirty thousand footmen.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on 1 Samuel 4:10
Into his tent, i.e. to his habitation, called by the ancient name of his tent. Before they lost but four thousand, now in the presence of the ark thirty thousand, to teach them that the ark and ordinances of God were never designed for sanctuaries or refuges to impenitent sinners, but only for the comfort and relief of those that repent. Horsemen are not mentioned; either, first, Because they had few or none, God having forbidden the multiplication of their horses, , and the Philistines, their lords and oppressors, having taken away what they had. Or, secondly, Because they fled away, as is usual in such cases, whilst the footmen were more easily overtaken.
Trapp's Commentary on 1 Samuel 4:10
1 Samuel 4:10 And the Philistines fought, and Israel was smitten, and they fled every man into his tent: and there was a very great slaughter; for there fell of Israel thirty thousand footmen.Ver. 10. Every man into his tent,] i.e., Into his house, pedibus pro armis usi, et depositis hastis domum ad beatos rastros, benedictum aratrum, sanctamque stivam recurrerunt, as one saith of the Dutch boors. And there was a very great slaughter.] Notwithstanding the presence of the ark, and far greater than before. Men fare the worse for their external privileges, if they rest in them. "Of the Jew first," &c. Thirty thousand footmen.] That is, Men able to march afoot; for horsemen they had none. Bucholc.
Ellicott's Commentary on 1 Samuel 4:10
(10) And Israel was smitten.—The result was strictly in accordance with those immutable laws which have ever guided the connection of Israel and their God-Friend. As long as they clave to the invisible Preserver, and served Him with their whole heart and soul, and kept themselves pure from the pollution of the idol nations around them, so long was He in their midst, so long would they be invincible; but if, as now, they chose to revel in the impure joys, and to delight themselves in the selfish, shameless lives of the idolatrous world around them, and only carried the Ark on their shoulders, with no memory of Him whom the mercy-seat and the overshadowing cherubim of that Ark symbolised, in their hearts, then—to use the solemn words of the hymn of Asaph—“Then God was wroth, and greatly abhorred Israel, and forsook the tabernacle of Shiloh, and delivered his strength into captivity, and his glory into the enemy’s hand.” (See Psalms 78:59-61, where the crushing defeat of Aphek and the signal victory of the Philistines is recounted in detail.)
Cambridge Bible on 1 Samuel 4:10
10. they fled every man into his tent] The battle ended in a sauve qui peut, every man who could escaping to his own home. The use of the word tent is a relic of the nomad life in the wilderness. Cp. 2 Samuel 20:1.
Whedon's Commentary on 1 Samuel 4:10
10. Fled every man into his tent — That is, to his own home. A large proportion of the Israelitish people dwelt in tents. Compare Joshua 22:7; 1 Kings 12:16.
Sermons on 1 Samuel 4:10
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
(1 Samuel) the Raiding of the Ark by David Guzik | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes that God cannot be manipulated or controlled by human plans or programs. He uses the example of Israel's defeat by the Philistines to illustr |
|
The Ark of Glory by T. Austin-Sparks | T. Austin-Sparks emphasizes the significance of the Ark of the Covenant as a representation of the glory of Jesus Christ, illustrating how the ark embodies life through the Word of |
|
Leviticus 26:3 by Chuck Smith | Chuck Smith emphasizes the certainty of God's promises as outlined in Leviticus 26:3, highlighting the importance of obedience to God's statutes and commandments. He explains that |
|
Rev. 21:3. God's Tabernacle on Earth by Horatius Bonar | Horatius Bonar emphasizes the profound significance of God's promise to dwell among humanity, as proclaimed in Revelation 21:3. He highlights the joy of heavenly beings at this ann |
|
Finding the Hands of God by Carter Conlon | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes that nothing has changed in Christianity. The same power of God that was present when Christ rose from the dead and sent the Holy Spirit on t |
|
God's Signs by Reuben Walter | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the great privilege and responsibility of being a child of God. He urges believers to walk humbly and obediently before God, so that they can |
|
Christian Armament 02 Armed With an Advocate by Neil Fraser | In this sermon, the preacher shares a story about an old lady who was sick and asked God for an orange. When she woke up, she found two oranges, which the preacher reveals he had g |