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1 Samuel 4:10

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¶ And the Philistines fought, and Israel was smitten, and they fled every man into his tent: and there was a very great slaughter; for there fell of Israel thirty thousand footmen.

And the Philistines {H6430} fought {H3898}, and Israel {H3478} was smitten {H5062}, and they fled {H5127} every man {H376} into his tent {H168}: and there was a very {H3966} great {H1419} slaughter {H4347}; for there fell {H5307} of Israel {H3478} thirty {H7970} thousand {H505} footmen {H7273}.

The P'lishtim fought, Isra'el was defeated, and every man fled to his tent. It was a terrible slaughter - 30,000 of Isra'el's foot soldiers fell.

So the Philistines fought, and Israel was defeated, and each man fled to his tent. The slaughter was very great—thirty thousand foot soldiers of Israel fell.

And the Philistines fought, and Israel was smitten, and they fled every man to his tent: and there was a very great slaughter; for there fell of Israel thirty thousand footmen.

Commentary

Context of 1 Samuel 4:10

This verse describes the catastrophic second phase of a battle between the Israelites and the Philistines. It follows an initial Israelite defeat mentioned in 1 Samuel 4:2, where 4,000 men were lost. In a desperate attempt to secure victory, and without consulting God, the elders of Israel brought the Ark of the Covenant from Shiloh to the battlefield, believing its presence would guarantee divine intervention. However, their hearts were not right with God, and the corrupt sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas (1 Samuel 2:12), accompanied the Ark. The Philistines, initially terrified by the Ark's arrival, rallied with fierce determination, leading to the devastating outcome described here.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Judgment and Consequences: The immense slaughter of 30,000 Israelite footmen is a stark indicator of God's judgment against His people. This was not merely a military defeat but a divine rebuke for their persistent sin, presumption, and superficial reliance on religious symbols rather than genuine obedience and repentance.
  • False Security in Rituals: Israel placed their trust in the physical presence of the Ark, treating it as a magical charm, rather than seeking the Lord Himself. This verse powerfully illustrates the danger of relying on religious rituals or objects without a true relationship with God.
  • National Catastrophe: The loss of thirty thousand men represents a profound national tragedy, signifying a major blow to Israel's military strength and morale. This defeat paved the way for the Philistines to exert greater control over the land, and most significantly, led to the capture of the Ark itself, a symbol of God's presence among them.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word translated "smitten" is nagaph (נָגַף), which often carries the connotation of a divine blow or plague, suggesting that God Himself allowed or orchestrated this defeat. The term "slaughter" (makkah, מַכָּה) further emphasizes the devastating and decisive nature of the defeat, highlighting the severity of the blow Israel suffered.

Practical Application

The account of Israel's defeat in 1 Samuel 4:10 offers timeless lessons for believers today:

  • Authenticity Over Ritual: It warns against the danger of superficial faith, where outward religious practices or symbols are relied upon more than a sincere, obedient relationship with God. Our trust must be in the Lord Himself, not in mere traditions or objects.
  • Consequences of Disobedience: The verse reminds us that God is holy and just. While He is merciful, there are consequences for persistent sin and presumption, even for His chosen people.
  • Humility in Seeking God: We are called to approach God with humility, seeking His will and direction, rather than presuming upon His power for our own desires or strategies. Genuine repentance and a humble heart are paramount for divine favor.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Deuteronomy 28:25 (5 votes)

    The LORD shall cause thee to be smitten before thine enemies: thou shalt go out one way against them, and flee seven ways before them: and shalt be removed into all the kingdoms of the earth.

  • 1 Samuel 4:2 (5 votes)

    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 Kings 14:12 (5 votes)

    And Judah was put to the worse before Israel; and they fled every man to their tents.

  • Leviticus 26:17 (5 votes)

    And I will set my face against you, and ye shall be slain before your enemies: they that hate you shall reign over you; and ye shall flee when none pursueth you.

  • 2 Samuel 18:17 (3 votes)

    And they took Absalom, and cast him into a great pit in the wood, and laid a very great heap of stones upon him: and all Israel fled every one to his tent.

  • Psalms 78:60 (3 votes)

    So that he forsook the tabernacle of Shiloh, the tent [which] he placed among men;

  • Psalms 78:64 (3 votes)

    Their priests fell by the sword; and their widows made no lamentation.