Chapter 4

The Philistines Capture the Ark

1 At that time Israel was at war with the Philistines. The Israelite army was camped near Ebenezer, and the Philistines were at Aphek.
2 The Philistines attacked and defeated the army of Israel, killing four thousand men.
3 After the battle was over, the army of Israel retreated to their camp, and their leaders asked, "Why did the LORD allow us to be defeated by the Philistines?" Then they said, "Let's bring the Ark of the Covenant of the LORD from Shiloh. If we carry it into battle with us, it[1][Or he. ] will save us from our enemies."
        4 So they sent men to Shiloh to bring back the Ark of the Covenant of the LORD Almighty, who is enthroned between the cherubim. Hophni and Phinehas, the sons of Eli, helped carry the Ark of God to where the battle was being fought.
5 When the Israelites saw the Ark of the Covenant of the LORD coming into the camp, their shout of joy was so loud that it made the ground shake!
        6 "What's going on?" the Philistines asked. "What's all the shouting about in the Hebrew camp?" When they were told it was because the Ark of the LORD had arrived,
7 they panicked. "The gods have[2][Or A god has. ] come into their camp!" they cried. "This is a disaster! We have never had to face anything like this before!
8 Who can save us from these mighty gods of Israel? They are the same gods who destroyed the Egyptians with plagues when Israel was in the wilderness.
9 Fight as you never have before, Philistines! If you don't, we will become the Hebrews' slaves just as they have been ours!"
        10 So the Philistines fought desperately, and Israel was defeated again. The slaughter was great; thirty thousand Israelite men died that day. The survivors turned and fled to their tents.
11 The Ark of God was captured, and Hophni and Phinehas, the two sons of Eli, were killed.