---
title: "Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible -  1 Samuel 4"
description: "CHAPTER 4   :-. ISRAEL
OVERCOME BY THE
PHILISTINES. 1. the word of Samuel came to all
Israel—The character of Samuel as a prophet was now fully
establishe"
image: "/images/missing.jpg"
url: "https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/1-samuel/4"
---

CHAPTER 4

. ISRAEL
OVERCOME BY THE
PHILISTINES.

**1. the word of Samuel came to all
Israel**—The character of Samuel as a prophet was now fully
established. The want of an "open vision" was supplied by
him, for "none of his words were let fall to the ground"
([1 Samuel 3:19](../../../kjv/1-samuel/3/19)); and to his residence
in Shiloh all the people of Israel repaired to consult him as an
oracle, who, as the medium of receiving the divine command, or by his
gift of a prophet, could inform them what was the mind of God. It is
not improbable that the rising influence of the young prophet had
alarmed the jealous fears of the Philistines. They had kept the
Israelites in some degree of subjection ever since the death of
Samson and were determined, by further crushing, to prevent the
possibility of their being trained by the counsels, and under the
leadership, of Samuel, to reassert their national independence. At
all events, the Philistines were the aggressors ([1 Samuel 3:19](../../../kjv/1-samuel/3/19)). But, on the other hand, the Israelites were rash and
inconsiderate in rushing to the field without obtaining the sanction
of Samuel as to the war, or having consulted him as to the subsequent
measures they took.
**Israel went out against the
Philistines to battle**—that is, to resist this new incursion.
**Eben-ezer . . . Aphek**—Aphek,
which means "strength," is a name applied to any fort or
fastness. There were several Apheks in Palestine; but the mention of
Eben-ezer determines this "Aphek" to be in the south, among
the mountains of Judah, near the western entrance of the pass of
Beth-horon, and consequently on the borders of the Philistine
territory. The first encounter at Aphek being unsuccessful, the
Israelites determined to renew the engagement in better
circumstances.

**3-9. Let us fetch the ark of the
covenant of the Lord out of Shiloh unto us**—Strange that they
were so blind to the real cause of the disaster and that they did not
discern, in the great and general corruption of religion and morals
([1 Samuel 2:22-25](../../../kjv/1-samuel/2/22-25); [1 Samuel 7:3](../../../kjv/1-samuel/7/3);
[Psalms 78:58](../../../kjv/psalms/78/58)), the reason why the
presence and aid of God were not extended to them. Their first
measure for restoring the national spirit and energy ought to have
been a complete reformation—a universal return to purity of worship
and morals. But, instead of cherishing a spirit of deep humiliation
and sincere repentance, instead of resolving on the abolition of
existing abuses, and the re-establishing of the pure faith, they
adopted what appeared an easier and speedier course—they put their
trust in ceremonial observances, and doubted not but that the
introduction of the ark into the battlefield would ensure their
victory. In recommending this extraordinary step, the elders might
recollect the confidence it imparted to their ancestors ([Numbers 10:35](../../../kjv/numbers/10/35);
[Numbers 14:44](../../../kjv/numbers/14/44)), as well as what had
been done at Jericho. But it is more probable that they were
influenced by the heathenish ideas of their idolatrous neighbors, who
carried their idol Dagon, or his sacred symbols, to their wars,
believing that the power of their divinities was inseparably
associated with, or residing in, their images. In short, the shout
raised in the Hebrew camp, on the arrival of the ark, indicated very
plainly the prevalence among the Israelites at this time of a belief
in national deities—whose influence was local, and whose interest
was especially exerted in behalf of the people who adored them. The
joy of the Israelites was an emotion springing out of the same
superstitious sentiments as the corresponding dismay of their
enemies; and to afford them a convincing, though painful proof of
their error, was the ulterior object of the discipline to which they
were now subjected—a discipline by which God, while punishing them
for their apostasy by allowing the capture of the ark, had another
end in view—that of signally vindicating His supremacy over all the
gods of the nations.
[Numbers 14:44](../../../kjv/numbers/14/44). ELI HEARING
THE TIDINGS.

**13-18. Eli sat upon a seat by the
wayside**—The aged priest, as a public magistrate, used, in
dispensing justice, to seat himself daily in a spacious recess at the
entrance gate of the city. In his intense anxiety to learn the issue
of the battle, he took up his usual place as the most convenient for
meeting with passers-by. His seat was an official chair, similar to
those of the ancient Egyptian judges, richly carved, superbly
ornamented, high, and *without a back.* The calamities announced
to Samuel as about to fall upon the family of Eli [] were now inflicted in the death of his two sons, and after
his death, by that of his daughter-in-law, whose infant son received
a name that perpetuated the fallen glory of the church and nation
[[1 Samuel 4:19-22](../../../kjv/1-samuel/4/19-22)]. The public
disaster was completed by the capture of the ark. Poor Eli! He was a
good man, in spite of his unhappy weaknesses. So strongly were his
sensibilities enlisted on the side of religion, that the news of the
capture of the ark proved to him a knell of death; and yet his
overindulgence, or sad neglect of his family—the main cause of all
the evils that led to its fall—has been recorded, as a beacon to
warn all heads of Christian families against making shipwreck on the
same rock.

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