Bible Commentary

Be strong, and quit yourselves like men, O ye Philistines, that ye be not servants unto the Hebrews, as they have been to you: quit yourselves like men, and fight. 9. quit yourselves ] i.e. behave. Cp. 1Co 16:13. “To quit oneself” = “to acquit oneself,” to release oneself from obligation by meeting the claims … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 1 Samuel 4:9”

Woe unto us! who shall deliver us out of the hand of these mighty Gods? these [are] the Gods that smote the Egyptians with all the plagues in the wilderness. 8. these mighty Gods ] The heathen polytheists naturally suppose that Israel like themselves had ‘gods many.’ with all the plagues ] Better, with an … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 1 Samuel 4:8”

And the Philistines were afraid, for they said, God is come into the camp. And they said, Woe unto us! for there hath not been such a thing heretofore. 1Sa 4:7 And the Philistines were afraid, for they said, God is come into the camp. Is God in the camp? I. Consider the great mistake … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 1 Samuel 4:7”

And when the Philistines heard the noise of the shout, they said, What [meaneth] the noise of this great shout in the camp of the Hebrews? And they understood that the ark of the LORD was come into the camp. 6. the Hebrews ] This name is used ( a) by foreigners, as here (cp. … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 1 Samuel 4:6”

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 … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 1 Samuel 4:5”

So the people sent to Shiloh, that they might bring from thence the ark of the covenant of the LORD of hosts, which dwelleth [between] the cherubims: and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, [were] there with the ark of the covenant of God. 4. that they might bring ] Rather, and brought. … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 1 Samuel 4:4”

And when the people were come into the camp, the elders of Israel said, Wherefore hath the LORD smitten us today 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 … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 1 Samuel 4:3”

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. 2. of the army ] Rather, in the battle array, (Lat. in acie). In the first encounter the Israelites, though defeated with … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 1 Samuel 4:2”

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. Ch. 1Sa 4:1-11. Defeat of Israel by the Philistines and Loss of the Ark 1. Now Israel went out ] The Sept. and Vulgate contain an additional … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 1 Samuel 4:1”

And the LORD appeared again in Shiloh: for the LORD revealed himself to Samuel in Shiloh by the word of the LORD. 21. appeared again ] Manifested himself in visions. Cp. 1Sa 3:10 ; 1Sa 3:15; and the ancient prophetic title of Seer (1Sa 9:9). by the word of the Lord ] By the communication … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 1 Samuel 3:21”