1 Samuel 04 Philistines beat the Israelites

 1 Samuel 04

Philistines beat the Israelites

1 And the word of Samuel came to all Israel: and Israel went out to meet, to the battle, to the Philistines, and they camped by Ebenezer; and the Philistines camped by Aftek.

2 And the Philistines made themselves ready for battle, to go out to meet Israel; and as the battle went on, Israel was wounded before the Philistines, because they wounded four thousand men in battle in the field.

3 And returning the people to the camp, the elders of Israel said, Why did the Lord strike us today before the Philistines? Let us bring from Silo the ark of the Lord's covenant, and come among us, that he may deliver us from the hand of our enemies.

4 So the people sent to Silo, and they brought from there the ark of the covenant of the Lord of hosts, which dwells among the cherubim: and Eli's two sons, Hofni and Phinehas, were there with the ark of the covenant of God.

5 And it came to pass, when the ark of the Lord's covenant came into the camp, that all Israel rejoiced with great joy, until the earth shook.

6 And the Philistines, hearing the voice of joy, said, What voice is such a great joy in the camp of the Hebrews? Then they knew that the ark of the Lord was coming to the camp.

7 So the Philistines were terrified: because they said, God came to the camp. And they said more: Woe to us! that this has never happened before.

8 Woe to us! who will deliver us from the hand of these great gods? these are the gods who struck the Egyptians with all the plagues by the desert.

9 Strive, and be men, O Philistines, lest you come to serve the Hebrews, as they served you; therefore be men, and fight.

10 Then the Philistines fought, and Israel was smitten, and each fled to his tent; and so much damage was done, that thirty thousand men stood up from Israel.