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.
Parallel translations
- WEB The Philistines put themselves in array against Israel. When they joined battle, Israel was defeated by the Philistines, who killed about four thousand men of the army in the field.
- BSB The Philistines arrayed themselves against Israel, and as the battle spread, Israel was defeated by the Philistines, who struck down about four thousand men on the battlefield.
- NKJV Then the Philistines put themselves in battle array against Israel. And when they joined battle, Israel was defeated by the Philistines, who killed about four thousand men of the army in the field.
- NASB Then the Philistines drew up in battle formation to meet Israel. When the battle spread, Israel was defeated by the Philistines, who killed about four thousand men on the battlefield.
- NLT The Philistines attacked and defeated the army of Israel, killing 4,000 men.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
The Philistines defeat Israel, killing about four thousand men. Israel's defeat signals that God's favor cannot be assumed.
Overview
In the opening clash, Israel is routed and suffers heavy losses. This unexpected defeat raises the question the elders will soon ask: why has the LORD allowed it? The narrative exposes Israel's spiritual condition and prepares for their misguided attempt to use the ark as a charm rather than truly seeking God.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 8
- Lam 3:40Let us search and try our ways, and turn again to the LORD.
- Josh 7:5–8And the men of Ai smote of them about thirty and six men: for they chased them from before the gate even unto Shebarim, and smote them in the going down: wherefore the hearts of the people melted, and became as water.
- Ps 44:9–10But thou hast cast off, and put us to shame; and goest not forth with our armies.
- Josh 7:12Therefore the children of Israel could not stand before their enemies, but turned their backs before their enemies, because they were accursed: neither will I be with you any more, except ye destroy the accursed from among you.
- Ps 106:40–41Therefore was the wrath of the LORD kindled against his people, insomuch that he abhorred his own inheritance.
- 1 Sam 17:8And he stood and cried unto the armies of Israel, and said unto them, Why are ye come out to set your battle in array? am not I a Philistine, and ye servants to Saul? choose you a man for you, and let him come down to me.
- Ps 79:7–8For they have devoured Jacob, and laid waste his dwelling place.
- 1 Sam 17:21For Israel and the Philistines had put the battle in array, army against army.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
The rise of the anointed king after Israel's failed first choice points to the true Anointed One (Messiah means 'anointed'), the shepherd-king after God's own heart from Bethlehem.
How 1 Samuel 4:2 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.