1
And the word of Samuel came to all Israel. Now Israel went outagainst the Philistines to battle, and pitched beside Ebenezer: and the Philistinespitched in Aphek.
2
And the Philistines put themselves in arrayagainstIsrael: and when they joinedbattle,Israel was smittenbefore the Philistines: and they slew of the army in the field about fourthousandmen.
3
And when the people were come into the camp, the elders of Israelsaid, Wherefore hath the LORDsmitten us to daybefore the Philistines? Let us fetch the ark of the covenant of the LORD out of Shiloh unto us, that, when it comethamong us, it may save us out of the hand of our enemies.
4
So the peoplesent to Shiloh, that they might bring from thence the ark of the covenant of the LORD of hosts, which dwelleth between the cherubims: and the twosons of Eli,Hophni and Phinehas, were there with the ark of the covenant of God.
6
And when the Philistinesheard the noise of the shout, they said, What meaneth the noise of this greatshout in the camp of the Hebrews? And they understood that the ark of the LORD was come into the camp.
7
And the Philistines were afraid, for they said, God is come into the camp. And they said, Woe unto us! for there hath not been such a thing heretofore*.
8
Woe unto us! who shall deliver us out of the hand of these mightyGods? these are the Gods that smote the Egyptians with all the plagues in the wilderness.
9
Be strong, and quit yourselves like men, O ye Philistines, that ye be not servants unto the Hebrews, as they have been to you: quit yourselves like men, and fight.
10
And the Philistinesfought, and Israel was smitten, and they fled every man into his tent: and there was a verygreatslaughter; for there fell of Israelthirtythousandfootmen.
13
And when he came, lo, Elisat upon a seat by the wayside**watching: for his hearttrembled for the ark of God. And when the mancame into the city, and told it, all the city cried out.
17
And the messengeranswered and said, Israel is fledbefore the Philistines, and there hath been also a greatslaughter among the people, and thy twosons also, Hophni and Phinehas, are dead, and the ark of God is taken.
18
And it came to pass, when he made mention of the ark of God, that he fell from off the seatbackwardby the side of the gate, and his neckbrake, and he died: for he was an oldman, and heavy. And he had judgedIsraelfortyyears.
19
And his daughter in law,Phinehas'wife, was with child, near to be delivered: and when she heard the tidingsthat the ark of God was taken, and that her father in law and her husband were dead, she bowed herself and travailed; for her painscame upon her.
20
And about the time of her death the women that stood by her said unto her, Fear not; for thou hast born a son. But she answered not, neither did she regard* it.
21
And she named the childIchabod,saying, The glory is departed from Israel:because the ark of God was taken, and because of her father in law and her husband.