King James Version

What Does 1 Samuel 4:1 Mean?

1 Samuel 4:1 in the King James Version says “And the word of Samuel came to all Israel. Now Israel went out against the Philistines to battle, and pitched beside Ebe... — study this verse from 1 Samuel chapter 4 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And the word of Samuel came to all Israel. Now Israel went out against the Philistines to battle, and pitched beside Ebenezer: and the Philistines pitched in Aphek. came: or, came to pass: Hebr. was

1 Samuel 4:1 · KJV


Context

1

And the word of Samuel came to all Israel. Now Israel went out against the Philistines to battle, and pitched beside Ebenezer: and the Philistines pitched in Aphek. came: or, came to pass: Hebr. was

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. they joined: Heb. the battle was spread army: Heb. array

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. fetch: Heb. take unto us


Commentary

KJV Study 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.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural 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.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God use external crises to address internal spiritual problems?
  2. What relationship do you see between Israel's military situation and their spiritual condition?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 17 words
וַיְהִ֥י1 of 17
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

דְבַר2 of 17

And the word

H1697

a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause

שְׁמוּאֵ֖ל3 of 17

of Samuel

H8050

shemuel, the name of three israelites

לְכָל4 of 17
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

יִשְׂרָאֵל֩5 of 17

Now Israel

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

וַיֵּצֵ֣א6 of 17

went out

H3318

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

יִשְׂרָאֵל֩7 of 17

Now Israel

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

לִקְרַ֨את8 of 17

against

H7125

an encountering, accidental, friendly or hostile (also adverbially, opposite)

וּפְלִשְׁתִּ֖ים9 of 17

and the Philistines

H6430

a pelishtite or inhabitant of pelesheth

לַמִּלְחָמָ֗ה10 of 17

to battle

H4421

a battle (i.e., the engagement); generally, war (i.e., war-fare)

חָנ֥וּ11 of 17

and pitched

H2583

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

עַל12 of 17
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

הָאֶ֣בֶן13 of 17
H0
הָעֵ֔זֶר14 of 17

beside Ebenezer

H72

eben-ha-ezer, a place in palestine

וּפְלִשְׁתִּ֖ים15 of 17

and the Philistines

H6430

a pelishtite or inhabitant of pelesheth

חָנ֥וּ16 of 17

and pitched

H2583

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

בַֽאֲפֵֽק׃17 of 17

in Aphek

H663

aphek (or aphik), the name of three places in palestine


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 1 Samuel. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

1 Samuel 4:1 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 1 Samuel 4:1 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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