1Sa 4:1-11 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for 1Sam 4:1-22: 4:1b–7:2 The crisis surrounding the Ark of the Covenant demonstrated Israel’s need for Samuel’s leadership and fulfilled prophecies about Eli and his sons (3:11-14 ). 4:1b the Philistines: See profile for The Philistines at end of chapter. • The exact location of Ebenezer is unknown. It was probably just east of Aphek (see also 1 Sam 7:12 and corresponding study note). • Aphek was west of Shiloh, well inland and well north of Philistine territory. By camping there, the Philistines might have been trying to seize more Israelite territory.

Summary for 1Sam 4:1-22: 4:1b–7:2 ^a The crisis surrounding the Ark of the Covenant demonstrated Israel’s need for Samuel’s leadership and fulfilled prophecies about Eli and his sons (3:11-14 ^b). 4:1b ^c the Philistines: See profile for The Philistines at end of chapter.

• The exact location of Ebenezer is unknown. It was probably just east of Aphek (see also 1 Sam 7:12 ^d and corresponding study note).

• Aphek was west of Shiloh, well inland and well north of Philistine territory. By camping there, the Philistines might have been trying to seize more Israelite territory.
4:3 ^e The Israelites were often defeated in war because of the sin of one individual or the entire nation (Josh 7 ^f). In this defeat, no one inquired whether sin was the cause; apparently no one had even asked the Lord whether they should engage the Philistines in the first place (cp. 1 Chr 14:13-16 ^g). Instead, the Israelites treated the Ark, the most sacred symbol of the Lord’s presence, as a charm to ward off misfortune. Carrying the Ark into battle was not necessarily wrong (cp. Josh 6:2-21 ^h), but neither would this act ensure God’s blessing and victory.
4:4 ⁱ Lord of Heaven’s Armies: See study note on 1:3.

• enthroned between the cherubim: A representation of God’s glorious presence hovered over the Ark in the Most Holy Place (God’s “throne room”).

• The involvement of Eli’s sons, Hophni and Phinehas, foreshadows the disaster that ensued (see 3:11-14 ^j).
Summary for 1Sam 4:6-7: 4:6-7 ^k Like the Israelites, the Philistines regarded the Ark as a powerful talisman (see 4:2-3 ^l) and believed that its presence in battle would mean sure disaster for them.
4:8 ^m the same gods who destroyed the Egyptians: The Philistines, who worshiped many gods, knew of the Lord’s power. Yet they knew nothing of his nature as the one true God.

• destroyed ... with plagues: The Lord later showed his power against the Philistines similarly (see 5:6–6:6 ⁿ).
4:10 ^o 30,000 was more than seven times as many as haddied previously without the Ark (4:2 ^p). The Israelites learned the hard way that the Ark was not a talisman to ward off misfortune.
4:11 ^q That the Ark ... was captured was devastating to the Israelites (4:12-22 ^r).

• The deaths of Hophni and Phinehas fulfilled the Lord’s word to Eli (2:34 ^s). Although they are the only casualties named, they were not the only Israelites who had sinned (see 7:3-6 ^t).