Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 1 Samuel 4:5

And when the ark of the covenant of the LORD came into the camp, all Israel shouted with a great shout, so that the earth rang again.

Verse 5. All Israel shouted] Had they humbled themselves, and prayed devoutly and fervently for success, they would have been heard and saved. Their shouting proved both their vanity and irreligion.

Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible

Partly from their great joy and confidence of success; and partly in design to encourage themselves, and terrify their enemies.

Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole

And when the ark of the covenant of the Lord came into the camp,…. Being brought thither by the men that carried it:

all Israel shouted with a great shout, so that the earth rang again; this they did as now sure of victory, because of the ark, and to give spirit and courage to each other to go forth to battle, and to strike a panic into their enemies.

Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible

On the arrival of the ark in the camp, the people raised so great a shout of joy that the earth rang again. This was probably the first time since the settlement of Israel in Canaan, that the ark had been brought into the camp, and therefore the people no doubt anticipated from its presence a renewal of the marvellous victories gained by Israel under Moses and Joshua, and for that reason raised such a shout when it arrived.

Fuente: Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament

(5) And when the ark . . . came into the camp.As far as we know, this was the first time since the establishment of the people in Canaan that the Ark had been brought from the permanent sanctuary into the camp. The shout of joy represented the confidence of the army that now the Ark, which had witnessed so many splendid victories of the chosen race, was among them, discomfiture was out of the question.

Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)

5. All Israel shouted As many a modern army has done, and must naturally do in time of peril, at the sight of a mighty reinforcement. They felt confident now that victory would perch upon their banners.

Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

(5) And when the ark of the covenant of the LORD came into the camp, all Israel shouted with a great shout, so that the earth rang again.

How different this carnal joy from joy in the Holy Ghost?

Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)

1Sa 4:5 And when the ark of the covenant of the LORD came into the camp, all Israel shouted with a great shout, so that the earth rang again.

Ver. 5. And when the ark, &c. ] The ark was indeed to the Israel of God, the chiefest evidence of his gracious presence, and the most principal type of Christ. The word here used is Aron, which is put for a coffin, coffer, or chest. Gen 50:26 ; 2Ki 12:9 This showeth that all the counsels of God, all the love and favour of God, all that God accounteth precious, are treasured up for his in Christ. Col 2:3 ; Col 1:13 ; Heb 10:12 But what is all this, or any of God’s ordinances, to the profligate professor, who yet boasteth of them, and beareth himself too bold upon them

All Israel shouted. ] This was to triumph before the victory. So they afterwards bellowed out, “The temple of the Lord, The temple of the Lord,” Jer 7:4 as the Papists now do ‘The Church, the Church,’ ad ravim usque; and as they go to war with their crucifixes at their bosoms, and with the sign of the cross, as if armed thereby against devils and adversaries.

Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)

shouted . . . shout. Figure of speech Polyptoton. App-6. See note on Gen 26:28.

Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics

all Israel: They vainly supposed that the ark would save them, when the God of it had departed from them because of their wickedness. Jdg 15:14, Job 20:5, Jer 7:4, Amo 6:3, Mic 2:11

Reciprocal: Exo 32:17 – There is a noise Num 31:6 – the holy instruments Jos 6:5 – the people 1Ki 1:45 – the city 2Ch 13:12 – God Ezr 3:13 – and the noise Neh 12:43 – the joy Amo 6:13 – which

Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

1Sa 4:5. All Israel shouted From their great joy, and confidence of success. So formal Christians triumph in external privileges and performances; as if the ark in the camp would bring them to heaven, though the world and flesh reign in their hearts.

Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments