Teks -- 1 Samuel 4:2 (NET)

4:2 The Philistines arranged their forces to fight Israel. As the battle spread out, Israel was defeated by the Philistines, who killed about four thousand men in the battle line in the field.

Tafsiran/Catatan -- Catatan Kata/Frasa (per frasa)

Clarke: 1Sa 4:2 - Put themselves in array

Put themselves in array - There is no doubt that both the Philistines and Israelites had what might be called the art of war, according to which they marshalled their troops in the field, constructed their camps, and conducted their retreats, sieges, etc.; but we know not the principles on which they acted

Clarke: 1Sa 4:2 - They slew of the army in the field about four thousand men

They slew of the army in the field about four thousand men - This must have been a severe conflict, as four thousand were left dead on the field of battle. The contest also must have lasted some considerable time, as these were all slain hand to hand; swords and spears being in all probability the only weapons then used.

TSK: 1Sa 4:2 - put // they joined battle // Israel // and they // the army

put : 1Sa 17:8, 1Sa 17:21

they joined battle : Heb. the battle was spread

Israel : Jos 7:5-8, Jos 7:12; Psa 44:9, Psa 44:10

and they : Psa 79:7, Psa 79:8, Psa 106:40, Psa 106:41; Lam 3:40

the army : Heb. the array

Tafsiran/Catatan -- Catatan Kata/Frasa (per Ayat)

Poole: 1Sa 4:2 - When they joined battle

When they joined battle Heb. when the battle was spread , i.e. when the two armies had drawn forth themselves into military order, and put themselves into the usual posture for fighting, and began to fight in their several places.

Haydock: 1Sa 4:2 - Here

Here, &c. Hebrew, "in the field" of battle. (Calmet) ---

Septuagint, "in the ranks, in the field." (Haydock)

Gill: 1Sa 4:2 - 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

And the Philistines put themselves in array against Israel,.... Prepared for battle, and put themselves in a posture for it; formed themselves in a line of battle, and so invited and challenged the Israelites to fight them:

and when they joined battle; engaged with each other, the Israelites doing the same, putting themselves in a proper form and posture for fighting; or "the battle was spread", or "spread itself" ^b; that is, as the Targum, they that made war were spread; the soldiers were placed in order for battle, to the right and left, which took up on both sides a large space; though Abarbinel understands this in a very different sense, and takes the word to have the same signification as in Psa 78:60, where it has the sense of forsaking; and so here the Israelites forsook the battle, and fled, which brought on their destruction, flight being, as the Jews say ^c, the beginning of fall or ruin, as it follows:

Israel was smitten before the Philistines; they had the worst of it and were beaten:

and they slew of the army in the field about four thousand men; so many fell upon the spot, in the field.