1 Samuel 4:4

4 misit ergo populus in Silo et tulerunt inde arcam foederis Domini exercituum sedentis super cherubin erantque duo filii Heli cum arca foederis Domini Ofni et Finees

1 Samuel 4:4 Meaning and Commentary

1 Samuel 4:4

So the people sent to Shiloh
They liked the proposal of the elders, took their advice, and joined with them in a message to Eli the high priest at Shiloh:

that they might bring from thence the ark of the covenant of the Lord
of hosts, which dwelleth between the cherubim;
which overshadowed the mercy seat that was upon the ark, and was the residence of the divine Majesty; wherefore having this with them, they concluded they should have the presence of God with them, and so success, see ( Psalms 53:1 ) ( 99:1 )

and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were there with the ark
of the covenant of God;
these, either with or without the leave of Eli, took the ark out of the tabernacle, and carried it on their shoulders to the camp, or however attended it there, being borne by other priests or Levites; and by this means they were brought into the camp, and so to battle, to meet their doom there; according to Bunting ^F4, it was carried by them forty two miles.

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FOOTNOTES:

F4 Travels of the Patriarchs p. 123.

1 Samuel 4:4 In-Context

2 et instruxerunt aciem contra Israhel inito autem certamine terga vertit Israhel Philistheis et caesa sunt in illo certamine passim per agros quasi quattuor milia virorum

3 et reversus est populus ad castra dixeruntque maiores natu de Israhel quare percussit nos Dominus hodie coram Philisthim adferamus ad nos de Silo arcam foederis Domini et veniat in medium nostri ut salvet nos de manu inimicorum nostrorum

4 misit ergo populus in Silo et tulerunt inde arcam foederis Domini exercituum sedentis super cherubin erantque duo filii Heli cum arca foederis Domini Ofni et Finees

5 cumque venisset arca foederis Domini in castra vociferatus est omnis Israhel clamore grandi et personuit terra

6 et audierunt Philisthim vocem clamoris dixeruntque quaenam haec est vox clamoris magni in castris Hebraeorum et cognoverunt quod arca Domini venisset in castra