---
title: "Clarke"
description: "Verse 1 Samuel 4:1. The word of Samuel came to all Israel — This clause certainly belongs to the preceding chapter, and is so placed by the Vulgate, Septu"
image: "/images/missing.jpg"
url: "https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/clarkes-commentary/1-samuel/4"
---

Verse [1 Samuel 4:1](../../../kjv/1-samuel/4/1). ***The word of Samuel came to all Israel*** — This clause certainly belongs to the preceding chapter, and is so placed by the *Vulgate, Septuagint, Syriac*, and *Arabic*.
***Pitched beside Eben-ezer*** — This name was not given to this place till more than *twenty* years *after* this battle, see [1 Samuel 7:12](../../../kjv/1-samuel/7/12); for the monument called האבן העזר *haeben haezer*, the "Stone of Help," was erected by Samuel in the place which was afterwards from this circumstance, called *Eben-ezer*, when the Lord had given the Israelites a signal victory over the Philistines. It was situated in the tribe of Judah, between *Mizpeh* and *Shen*, and not far from the *Aphek* here mentioned. This is another proof that this book was compiled *after* the times and transactions which it records, and probably from *memoranda* which had been made by a contemporary writer.

Verse [1 Samuel 4:2](../../../kjv/1-samuel/4/2). ***Put themselves in array*** — There is no doubt that both the Philistines and Israelites had what might be called *the art of* *war*, according to which they marshalled their troops in the field, constructed their camps, and conducted their retreats, sieges, c. but we know not the principles on which they acted.
***They slew of the army in the field about four thousand men.*** — This must have been a severe conflict, as *four thousand* were left dead on the field of battle. The contest also must have lasted some considerable time, as these were all slain hand to hand; swords and spears being in all probability the only weapons then used.

Verse [1 Samuel 4:3](../../../kjv/1-samuel/4/3). ***Let us fetch the ark*** — They vainly supposed that the ark could save them, when the God of it had departed from them because of their wickedness. They knew that in former times their fathers had been *beaten* by their enemies, when they took not the ark with them to battle; as in the case of their wars with the Canaanites, [Numbers 14:44-45](../../../kjv/numbers/14/44-45); and that they had *conquered* when they took this with them, as in the case of the destruction of Jericho, [Joshua 6:4](../../../kjv/joshua/6/4). From the latter clause they took confidence; but the *cause* of their miscarriage in the former they laid not to heart. It was customary with all the nations of the earth to take their *gods* and *sacred ensigns* with them to war. The *Persians, Indians, Greeks, Romans, Germans, Philistines*, &c., did so. *Consecrated crosses, blessing* and *hallowing of colours and* *standards*, are the *modern* remains of those ancient *superstitions*.

Verse [1 Samuel 4:4](../../../kjv/1-samuel/4/4). ***The Lord of hosts*** — See on [1 Samuel 1:3](../../../kjv/1-samuel/1/3).
***Dwelleth*****between*****the cherubims*** — Of what shape the cherubim were, we know not; but there was one of these representative figures placed at each end of the ark of the covenant; and between them, on the *lid* or *cover* of that ark, which was called the *propitiatory* or *mercy-seat*, the *shechinah*, or symbol of the Divine presence, was said to dwell. They thought, therefore, if they had the ark, they must necessarily have the *presence* and *influence* of *Jehovah*.

Verse [1 Samuel 4:5](../../../kjv/1-samuel/4/5). ***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.

Verse [1 Samuel 4:7](../../../kjv/1-samuel/4/7). ***God is come into the camp.*** — They took for granted, as did the Israelites, that his presence was inseparable from his ark or shrine.

Verse [1 Samuel 4:8](../../../kjv/1-samuel/4/8). ***These mighty Gods*** — מיד האלהים האדרים *miyad haelohim* *haaddirim, from the hand of these illustrious Gods*. Probably this should be translated in the *singular*, and not in the *plural: Who* *shall deliver us from the hand of this illustrious God*?

Verse [1 Samuel 4:9](../../../kjv/1-samuel/4/9). ***Be strong, c.*** — This was the address to the whole army, and very forcible it was. "If ye do not fight, and acquit yourselves like men, ye will be servants to the Hebrews, as they have been to you and you may expect that they will avenge themselves of you for all the cruelty you have exercised towards *them*."

Verse [1 Samuel 4:11](../../../kjv/1-samuel/4/11). ***Hophni and Phinehas were slain.*** — They probably attempted to defend the ark, and lost their lives in the attempt.

Verse [1 Samuel 4:12](../../../kjv/1-samuel/4/12). ***Came to Shiloh the same day*** — The field of battle could not have been at any great distance, for this young man reached Shiloh the same evening after the defeat.
***With his clothes rent, and with earth upon his head.*** — These were signs of *sorrow* and *distress* among all nations. The *clothes rent*, signified the *rending, dividing*, and *scattering*, of the *people*; the *earth*, or *ashes on the head*, signified their *humiliation*: "We are brought down to the *dust* of the earth; we are near to our *graves*." When the Trojan fleet was burnt, AEneas is represented as *tearing his robe from his shoulder*, and invoking the aid of his gods: -
The *graceful curl*, and drop the tender tear."
POPE.

And again: -
Κατθεμεν εν λεχεεσσι καθηραντες χροα καλον
Ὑδατι τε λιαρῳ και αλειφατι· πολλα δε σ' αμφις
Δακρυα θερμα χεον Δαναοι, κειροντο τε χαιτας.
*Ib*., lib. xxiv., ver. 44.

"Then unguents sweet, and tepid streams, we shed;
Tears flow'd from every eye; and o'er the dead
Each *clipp'd* the *curling honours* of his *head*."
POPE.

The whole is strongly expressed in the case of Achilles, when he heard of the death of his friend Patroclus: -
Ὡς φατο· τον δ' αχεος νεφεος νεφελη εκαλυψε μελαινα
Αμφοτερῃσι δε χερσιν ἑλων κονιν αοθαλοεσσαν,
Χευατο κακ κεφαλης, χαριεν δ' ῃσχυνε προσωπον·
Νεκταρεῳ δε χιτωνι μελαιν' αμφιζανε τεφρη.
*Iliad*, lib. xviii., ver. 22.

"A sudden horror shot through all the chief,
And wrapp'd his senses in the cloud of grief.
Cast *on the ground*, with furious hands he spread
The *scorching ashes* o'er his *graceful head*:
His *purple garments*, and his *golden hairs*.
Those he deforms with *dust*, and *these* with *tears*."
POPE.

It is not unusual, even in *Europe*, and in the most *civilized* parts of it, to see grief expressed by *tearing the hair, beating* *the breasts*, and *rending* the garments; all these are *natural* signs, or expression of deep and excessive grief, and are common to all the nations of the world.

Verse [1 Samuel 4:13](../../../kjv/1-samuel/4/13). ***His heart trembled for the ark of God*** — He was a most mild and affectionate father, and yet the safety of the *ark* lay nearer to his heart than the safety of his *two sons*. Who can help feeling for this aged, venerable man?

Verse [1 Samuel 4:17](../../../kjv/1-samuel/4/17). ***And the messenger answered*** — Never was a more afflictive message, containing such a variety of woes, each rising above the preceding, delivered in so few words.
1. *Israel is fled before the Philistines*.
This was a sore evil: that *Israel* should *turn their backs upon* *their enemies*, was *bad*; and that they should turn their backs on such enemies as the *Philistines*, was yet worse; for now they might expect the chains of their slavery to be strengthened and riveted more closely.
2. *There hath also been a great slaughter among the people*.
A *rout* might have taken place without any *great previous* *slaughter*; but in this case the field was warmly contested, *thirty* *thousand* were laid dead on the spot. This was a deeper cause of distress than the preceding; as if he had said, "The flower of our armies is destroyed; scarcely a veteran now to take the field."
3. *Thy two sons also, Hophni and Phinehas, are dead*.
This was still more afflictive to him as a father, to lose *both* his sons, the only hope of the family; and to have them taken away by a *violent death* when there was so little prospect of their having died *in the peace of God*, was more grievous than all.
4. *The ark of God is taken*.
This was the most dreadful of the whole; now Israel is dishonoured in the sight of the heathen, and the name of the Lord will be blasphemed by them. Besides, the capture of the ark shows that God is departed from Israel; and now there is no farther hope of restoration for the people, but every prospect of the destruction of the nation, and the final ruin of all religion! How high does each wo rise on the back of the preceding! And with what apparent *art* is this very laconic message constructed! And yet, probably, no art at all was used, and the messenger delivered the tidings just as the facts rose up in his own mind.
Heroes and conquerors, ancient and modern, have been celebrated for comprising a vast deal of information in a few words. I will give *three* examples, and have no doubt that the Benjamite in the text will be found to have greatly the advantage.
1. Julius Caesar having totally defeated *Pharnaces*, king of Pontus, wrote a letter to the Roman senate, which contained only these three words: -
2. *Admiral* HAWKE having totally defeated the French fleet, in 1759, off the coast of Brittany, wrote as follows to King George II.:-
"SIRE, *I have taken, burnt, and destroyed all the French fleet,* *as per margin*. - HAWKE."
3. NAPOLEON BUONAPARTE, then general-in-chief of the French armies in Italy, wrote to *Josephine*, his wife, the evening before he attacked Field Marshal *Alvinzi*, the imperial general: -
"*Demain j'attaquerai l'enemie; je le battrai; et j'en finirai*." "*To-morrow I shall attack the enemy; I shall defeat them, and* *terminate the business*." He did so: the imperialists were totally defeated, *Mantua* surrendered, and the campaign for that year (1796) was concluded.
In the above examples, excellent as they are in their kind, we find little more than *one idea*, whereas the report of the Benjamite includes *several*; for, in the most forcible manner, he points out the *general* and *particular disasters* of the *day*, the *rout of the army*, the *great slaughter*, the *death of the priests*, who were in effect the whole generals of the army, and the *capture* *of the ark*; all that, on such an occasion, could affect and distress the heart of an Israelite. And all this he does in *four* *simple assertions*.

Verse [1 Samuel 4:18](../../../kjv/1-samuel/4/18). ***When he made mention of the ark of God*** — Eli bore all the relation till the messenger came to this solemn word; he had *trembled* before *for the ark*, and now, hearing that it was *captured*, he was transfixed with grief, fell down from his seat, and dislocated his neck! Behold the judgments of God! But shall we say that this man, however remiss in the education of his children, and criminal in his indulgence towards his profligate sons, which arose more from the *easiness* of his disposition than from a desire to encourage vice, is gone to perdition? God forbid! No man ever died with such benevolent and religious feelings, and yet perished.
***He had judged Israel forty years*** — Instead of *forty* years, the Septuagint has here εικοσι ετη, *twenty years*. All the other versions, as well as the Hebrew text, have *forty* years.

Verse [1 Samuel 4:19](../../../kjv/1-samuel/4/19). ***And his daughter-in-law*** — This is another very affecting story; the defeat of Israel, the capture of the ark, the death of her father-in-law, and the slaughter of her husband, were more than a woman in her circumstances, near the time of her delivery could bear. She bowed, travailed, was delivered of a son, gave the child a name indicative of the ruined state of Israel, and expired!

Verse [1 Samuel 4:20](../../../kjv/1-samuel/4/20). ***But she answered not*** — She paid no attention to what the women had said concerning her having borne a son; that information she *regarded not*.

Verse [1 Samuel 4:21](../../../kjv/1-samuel/4/21). ***She named the child I-chabod*** — The versions are various on the original words כבוד *I-chabod*; the *Septuagint*, ουαιβαρχαβωθ *ouaibrachaboth*; the *Syriac*, [Syriac] *yochobor*; the Arabic, [Arabic] *yochabad*. But none of these give us much light on the subject. It is pretty evident they did not know well what signification to give the name; and we are left to collect its meaning from what she says afterwards, *The glory is departed* *from Israel*; the words literally mean, *Where is the glory*? And indeed where was it, when the armies of Israel were defeated by the Philistines, the priests slain, the supreme magistrate dead, and the ark of the Lord taken?
THIS is a very eventful, interesting, and affecting chapter, and prepares the reader for those signal manifestations of God's power and providence by which the ark was restored, the priesthood re-established, an immaculate judge given to Israel, the Philistine yoke broken, and the people of the Most High caused once more to triumph. God humbled them that he might exalt them; he suffered his glory for a time to become eclipsed, that he might afterwards cause it to break out with the greater effulgence.

```json
{"@context":"https://schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/#website","url":"https://realbiblebelievers.com","name":"Real Bible Believers","description":"RBB","publisher":{"@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/#/schema/person/e966585dde703268e7f6ae890ea98509"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/search?q={search_term_string}","query-input":"required name=search_term_string"}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/clarkes-commentary/1-samuel/4#primaryimage","inLanguage":"en-US","url":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/images/missing.jpg","contentUrl":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/images/missing.jpg","width":640,"height":370,"caption":"Clarke's Commentary -  1 Samuel 4"},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/clarkes-commentary/1-samuel/4#webpage","url":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/clarkes-commentary/1-samuel/4","name":"Clarke's Commentary -  1 Samuel 4","isPartOf":{"@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/clarkes-commentary/1-samuel/4#primaryimage"},"datePublished":null,"dateModified":null,"author":{"@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/#/schema/person/e966585dde703268e7f6ae890ea98509"},"description":"Verse 1 Samuel 4:1. The word of Samuel came to all Israel — This clause certainly belongs to the preceding chapter, and is so placed by the Vulgate, Septu","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/clarkes-commentary/1-samuel/4#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/clarkes-commentary/1-samuel/4"]}]},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/clarkes-commentary/1-samuel/4#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"item":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/","url":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/","name":"Home"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"item":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries","url":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries","name":"Commentaries"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"item":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/clarkes-commentary","url":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/clarkes-commentary","name":"Clarke's Commentary"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":4,"item":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/clarkes-commentary/1-samuel","url":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/clarkes-commentary/1-samuel","name":"1 Samuel"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":5,"item":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/clarkes-commentary/1-samuel/4","url":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/clarkes-commentary/1-samuel/4","name":"4"}}]},{"@type":["Person","Organization"],"@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/#/schema/person/e966585dde703268e7f6ae890ea98509","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/#personlogo","inLanguage":"en-US","url":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/android-chrome-512x512.png","contentUrl":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/android-chrome-512x512.png","width":512,"height":512},"logo":{"@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/#personlogo"},"sameAs":["https://twitter.com/RBiblebeliever","https://www.facebook.com/RBibleBelievers"]}]}
```