Teks -- 1 Samuel 4:1-7 (NET)

The Ark of the Covenant is Lost to the Philistines

4:1 Samuel revealed the word of the Lord to all Israel. Then the Israelites went out to fight the Philistines. They camped at Ebenezer, and the Philistines camped at Aphek. 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. 4:3 When the army came back to the camp, the elders of Israel said, “Why did the Lord let us be defeated today by the Philistines? Let’s take with us the ark of the covenant of the Lord from Shiloh. When it is with us, it will save us from the hand of our enemies. 4:4 So the army sent to Shiloh, and they took from there the ark of the covenant of the Lord of hosts who sits between the cherubim. Now the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phineas, were there with the ark of the covenant of God. 4:5 When the ark of the covenant of the Lord arrived at the camp, all Israel shouted so loudly that the ground shook. 4:6 When the Philistines heard the sound of the shout, they said, “What is this loud shout in the camp of the Hebrews?” Then they realized that the ark of the Lord had arrived at the camp. 4:7 The Philistines were scared because they thought that gods had come to the camp. They said, “Too bad for us! We’ve never seen anything like this!

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Wesley: 1Sa 4:1 - The word

That is, the word of the Lord revealed to Samuel, and by him to the people. A word of command, that all Israel should go forth to fight with the Philistines, as the following words explain it, that they might he first humbled and punished for their sins, and so prepared for deliverance.

Wesley: 1Sa 4:1 - Went out

To meet the Philistines, who having by this time recruited themselves after their loss by Samson, and perceiving an eminent prophet arising among them, by whom they were likely to be united, and assisted, thought fit to suppress them in the beginning of their hopes.

Wesley: 1Sa 4:3 - Wherefore, &c.

_This was strange blindness, that when there was so great a corruption in their worship and manners, they could not see sufficient reason why God should suffer them to fall by their enemies.

Wesley: 1Sa 4:3 - The ark

That great pledge of God's presence and help, by whose conduct our ancestors obtained success. Instead of humbling themselves for, and purging themselves from their sins, for which God was displeased with them, they take an easier and cheaper course, and put their trust in their ceremonial observances, not doubting but the very presence of the ark would give them the victory.

Wesley: 1Sa 4:4 - Bring the ark

This they should not have done without asking counsel of God.

Wesley: 1Sa 4:5 - Shouted

From their great joy and confidence of success. So formal Christians triumph in external privileges and performances: as if the ark in the camp would bring them to heaven, tho' the world and the flesh reign in the heart.

Wesley: 1Sa 4:7 - Heretofore

Not in our times; for the fore - mentioned removals of the ark were before it came to Shiloh.

JFB: 1Sa 4:1 - the word of Samuel came to all Israel

The character of Samuel as a prophet was now fully established. The want of an "open vision" was supplied by him, for "none of his words were let fall to the ground" (1Sa 3:19); and to his residence in Shiloh all the people of Israel repaired to consult him as an oracle, who, as the medium of receiving the divine command, or by his gift of a prophet, could inform them what was the mind of God. It is not improbable that the rising influence of the young prophet had alarmed the jealous fears of the Philistines. They had kept the Israelites in some degree of subjection ever since the death of Samson and were determined, by further crushing, to prevent the possibility of their being trained by the counsels, and under the leadership, of Samuel, to reassert their national independence. At all events, the Philistines were the aggressors (1Sa 4:2). But, on the other hand, the Israelites were rash and inconsiderate in rushing to the field without obtaining the sanction of Samuel as to the war, or having consulted him as to the subsequent measures they took.

JFB: 1Sa 4:1 - Israel went out against the Philistines to battle

That is, to resist this new incursion.

JFB: 1Sa 4:1 - Eben-ezer . . . Aphek

Aphek, which means "strength," is a name applied to any fort or fastness. There were several Apheks in Palestine; but the mention of Eben-ezer determines this "Aphek" to be in the south, among the mountains of Judah, near the western entrance of the pass of Beth-horon, and consequently on the borders of the Philistine territory. The first encounter at Aphek being unsuccessful, the Israelites determined to renew the engagement in better circumstances.

JFB: 1Sa 4:3-9 - Let us fetch the ark of the covenant of the Lord out of Shiloh unto us

Strange that they were so blind to the real cause of the disaster and that they did not discern, in the great and general corruption of religion and morals (1Sa 2:22-25; 1Sa 7:3; Psa 78:58), the reason why the presence and aid of God were not extended to them. Their first measure for restoring the national spirit and energy ought to have been a complete reformation--a universal return to purity of worship and morals. But, instead of cherishing a spirit of deep humiliation and sincere repentance, instead of resolving on the abolition of existing abuses, and the re-establishing of the pure faith, they adopted what appeared an easier and speedier course--they put their trust in ceremonial observances, and doubted not but that the introduction of the ark into the battlefield would ensure their victory. In recommending this extraordinary step, the elders might recollect the confidence it imparted to their ancestors (Num 10:35; Num 14:44), as well as what had been done at Jericho. But it is more probable that they were influenced by the heathenish ideas of their idolatrous neighbors, who carried their idol Dagon, or his sacred symbols, to their wars, believing that the power of their divinities was inseparably associated with, or residing in, their images. In short, the shout raised in the Hebrew camp, on the arrival of the ark, indicated very plainly the prevalence among the Israelites at this time of a belief in national deities--whose influence was local, and whose interest was especially exerted in behalf of the people who adored them. The joy of the Israelites was an emotion springing out of the same superstitious sentiments as the corresponding dismay of their enemies; and to afford them a convincing, though painful proof of their error, was the ulterior object of the discipline to which they were now subjected--a discipline by which God, while punishing them for their apostasy by allowing the capture of the ark, had another end in view--that of signally vindicating His supremacy over all the gods of the nations.

Clarke: 1Sa 4:1 - The word of Samuel came to all Israel

The word of Samuel came to all Israel - This clause certainly belongs to the preceding chapter, and is so placed by the Vulgate, Septuagint, Syriac, and Arabic

Clarke: 1Sa 4:1 - Pitched beside Eben-ezer

Pitched beside Eben-ezer - This name was not given to this place till more than twenty years after this battle, see 1Sa 7:12; for the monument called האבן העזר haeben haezer , the "Stone of Help,"was erected by Samuel in the place which was afterwards from this circumstance, called Eben-ezer, when the Lord had given the Israelites a signal victory over the Philistines. It was situated in the tribe of Judah, between Mizpeh and Shen, and not far from the Aphek here mentioned. This is another proof that this book was compiled after the times and transactions which it records, and probably from memoranda which had been made by a contemporary writer.

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.

Clarke: 1Sa 4:3 - Let us fetch the ark

Let us fetch the ark - They vainly supposed that the ark could save them, when the God of it had departed from them because of their wickedness. They knew that in former times their fathers had been beaten by their enemies, when they took not the ark with them to battle; as in the case of their wars with the Canaanites, Num 14:44, Num 14:45; and that they had conquered when they took this with them, as in the case of the destruction of Jericho, Jos 6:4. From the latter clause they took confidence; but the cause of their miscarriage in the former they laid not to heart. It was customary with all the nations of the earth to take their gods and sacred ensigns with them to war. The Persians, Indians, Greeks, Romans, Germans, Philistines, etc., did so. Consecrated crosses, blessing and hallowing of colors and standards, are the modern remains of those ancient superstitions.

Clarke: 1Sa 4:4 - The Lord of hosts

The Lord of hosts - See on 1Sa 1:3 (note)

Clarke: 1Sa 4:4 - Dwelleth between the cherubims

Dwelleth between the cherubims - Of what shape the cherubim were, we know not; but there was one of these representative figures placed at each end of the ark of the covenant; and between them, on the lid or cover of that ark, which was called the propitiatory or mercy-seat, the shechinah, or symbol of the Divine presence, was said to dwell. They thought, therefore, if they had the ark, they must necessarily have the presence and influence of Jehovah.

Clarke: 1Sa 4:5 - All Israel shouted

All Israel shouted - Had they humbled themselves, and prayed devoutly and fervently for success, they would have been heard and saved. Their shouting proved both their vanity and irreligion.

Clarke: 1Sa 4:7 - God is come into the camp

God is come into the camp - They took for granted, as did the Israelites, that his presence was inseparable from his ark or shrine.

TSK: 1Sa 4:1 - came // Ebenezer // Aphek

am 2863, bc 1141, An, Ex, Is, 350

came : or, came to pass, Heb. was, 1Sa 3:11

Ebenezer : That is, the place afterwards so called. See the parallel texts. 1Sa 5:1, 1Sa 7:12

Aphek : This Aphek was situated in the tribe of Judah, and is probably the same as Aphekah. Jos 15:53; It must be carefully distinguished from that near Jezreel, and another in Asher. 1Sa 29:1; Jos 19:30; 1Ki 20:30

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

TSK: 1Sa 4:3 - Wherefore // Let us // fetch // the ark // it may save

Wherefore : Deu 29:24; Psa 74:1, Psa 74:11; Isa 50:1, Isa 58:3

Let us : 1Sa 14:18; Num 31:6; Jos 6:4, Jos 6:5; 2Sa 15:25; Isa 1:11-15; Jer 7:4, Jer 7:8-15; Mat 3:9, Mat 3:10

fetch : Heb. take unto us

the ark : Num 10:33; Deu 31:26; Jos 4:7; 1Ch 17:1; Jer 3:16; Heb 9:4

it may save : Jer 7:8-11; Amo 5:21, Amo 5:22; Mat 23:25-28; Rom 2:28, Rom 2:29; 1Co 10:1-5; 2Ti 3:5; 1Pe 3:21; Jud 1:5

TSK: 1Sa 4:4 - which dwelleth // the cherubims // Hophni // with the ark

which dwelleth : 2Sa 6:2; 2Ki 19:15; Psa 80:1, Psa 99:1

the cherubims : Exo 25:18-22; Num 7:89

Hophni : 1Sa 2:12-17, 1Sa 2:22; Psa 50:16, Psa 50:17; Mal 1:9; Act 19:15, Act 19:16

with the ark : Num 4:5, Num 4:15

TSK: 1Sa 4:5 - all Israel

all Israel : They vainly supposed that the ark would save them, when the God of it had departed from them because of their wickedness. Jdg 15:14; Job 20:5; Jer 7:4; Amo 6:3; Mic 2:11

TSK: 1Sa 4:6 - What meaneth

What meaneth : Exo 32:17, Exo 32:18

TSK: 1Sa 4:7 - were afraid // heretofore

were afraid : Exo 14:25, Exo 15:14-16; Deu 32:30

heretofore : Heb. yesterday or the third day

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

Poole: 1Sa 4:1 - The word of Samuel // Against the Philistines

The word of Samuel i.e. the word of the Lord revealed to Samuel, and by him to the people; either, first, The prophetical word mentioned before, 1Sa 3:11 , &c., which is here said to come , or to come to pass , as it was foretold, to all Israel. But the subject of that prophecy was not all Israel , but Eli and his house as is evident. Or rather, secondly, A word of command, that all Israel should go forth to fight with the Philistines, as the following words explain it, that so they might be first humbled and punished for their sins, and so prepared by degrees for their future deliverance.

Against the Philistines or, to meet the Philistines, who having by this time recruited themselves after their great loss by Samson, Jud 16:30 , and perceiving an eminent prophet arising among them, by whom they were likely to be united, counselled, and assisted, thought fit to suppress them in the beginning of their hopes and designs of rescuing themselves from their power. Ebenezer a place so called here (by anticipation) from a following event, 1Sa 7:12 . Aphek ; a city so called in the tribe of Judah, Jos 15:53 , upon the borders of the Philistines’ country; not that Aphek in Asher, Jos 19:30 Jud 1:31 , which was very remote from them.

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.

Poole: 1Sa 4:3 - Wherefore hath the Lord smitten us today before the Philistines // The ark of the covenant of the Lord

Wherefore hath the Lord smitten us today before the Philistines seeing our cause is so just, our own just and necessary defence from God’ s and our enemies, and we came not forth to battle by our own motion, but by God’ s command delivered by Samuel? This was strange blindness, that when there was so great a corruption in their worship and manners, 1Sa 2 , and such a defection to idolatry, 1Sa 7:3 Psa 78:58 , they could not see sufficient reason why God should suffer them to fall by their enemies.

The ark of the covenant of the Lord that great pledge of God’ s presence and help, by whose conduct our ancestors obtained success, Num 10:35 14:44 Jos 6:4 . Instead of the performance of moral duties, humbling themselves deeply for and purging themselves speedily and thoroughly from all their sins, for which God was displeased with them, and now had chastised them, they take an easier and cheaper course, and put their trust in their ceremonial observances, not doubting but the very presence of the ark would give them the victory; and therefore it is no wonder they meet with so sad a disappointment.

Poole: 1Sa 4:4 - That they might bring from thence the ark // Hophni and Phinehas were there // With the ark

That they might bring from thence the ark which it may seem they should not have done without asking counsel of God, which they might easily have done by Samuel.

Hophni and Phinehas were there either, first, in the camp; or rather, secondly, in Shiloh.

With the ark attending upon it, instead of their aged father.

Poole: 1Sa 4:5

Partly from their great joy and confidence of success; and partly in design to encourage themselves, and terrify their enemies.

Poole: 1Sa 4:6

Timely understood, by information from the Israelites, who would readily tell them of it to affright them.

Poole: 1Sa 4:7 - God is come

God is come to wit, in and with his ark; or they give the name of God to the ark, before which he was worshipped, as they used to do to the images of their false gods. There hath not been such a thing heretofore; not to our knowledge, or not in our times; for the forementioned removals of the ark were before it came to Shiloh.

Haydock: 1Sa 4:1 - And // Days // Help // Aphec

And. Hebrew inserts here the conclusion of the last verse, whence some would infer that Samuel told the Israelites to make war upon the Philistines. But as it turned out so ill, this would have tended to discredit him; and we find that the Philistines were the aggressors. ---

Days. this war took place immediately after the threats denounced to Heli; (Sararius) or according to Usher, and the best chronologists, about 27 years after that event. (Calmet) ---

The addition of the Septuagint seems to insinuate, that the sons of Heli persevered for a long time in their wicked course, chap. iii. 20. (Haydock) ---

Josephus says that Phinees was his father's coadjutor. ---

Salien observes that this must be considered as a fresh blot in the character of the latter, since he ought to have delivered the delinquents up to execution, Deuteronomy xxi. 21. Tirin[Tirinus], on the contrary, adduces the power of his sons, and the debilitated state of Heli, to excuse his neglect. (Haydock) ---

Help. In Hebrew Eben-ezer; so called, from the help which the Lord was pleased afterwards to give to his people, Israel, in that place, by the prayers of Samuel, chap. vii. 12., (Challoner) about 21 years afterwards. ---

Aphec, in the tribe of Juda, not far from Maspha.

Haydock: 1Sa 4:2 - Here

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

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

Haydock: 1Sa 4:3 - Ancients // Enemies

Ancients; the commanders of the respective tribes. Heli was not able to lead on the people to battle, on account of his blindness and great age. ---

Enemies. All nations attribute much to the exterior marks of religion. The Israelites had witnessed the victories which had been obtained while the ark was present, Josue vi. 4. See Numbers xiv. 45. But they ought to have considered, that their infidelity rendered them unworthy of the divine protection; and that God was more displeased at their profanations, than at the indignity to which the sacred vessels would be exposed. He would know how to vindicate his own honour and glory. The symbols of religion were thus carried in the army, by the Persians, &c. (Herodotus vii.) ---

The Romans regarded their standards as so many deities. (Halicar. vi.) See 2 Kings vi. 21., and 2 Paralipomenon xiii. 8. (Calmet) ---

The confidence which the Israelites placed in the ark was commendable, but their sins deserved to be punished. (Worthington) (Numbers x. 35.)

Haydock: 1Sa 4:4 - Ark // Cherubim

Ark. On this extraordinary emergency they thought it lawful. (Abulensis, q. 6.) ---

They easily obtained the consent of Heli; and his sons went to take it down, and to attend it to the army, as he was incapable of doing duty. We know not what ceremonies were used, nor whether the brothers acted as high priests alternately. (Calmet) ---

Cherubim. The Scripture often represents God in this manner, Exodus xxv. 22., Psalm xvii. 10., and Ezechiel x. 1. The commonality of the Jews attributed bodies to the angels, but to denote that they were not like those with which we are acquainted, they called them cherubim, or complex and unusual figures. (Calmet)

Haydock: 1Sa 4:7 - God // Sighing

God: "Elohim." Septuagint, "these gods." They speak of the true God according to their false ideas. (Calmet) ---

Sighing. Septuagint, "deliver us, O Lord, this day."

Gill: 1Sa 4:1 - And the word of Samuel came to all Israel // now Israel went out against the Philistines to battle // and pitched beside Ebenezer // and the Philistines pitched in Aphek

And the word of Samuel came to all Israel,.... Or was "known", as the Targum, the word of prophecy by him, which related to what befell Eli and his family; this was spread throughout the land, and everyone almost had knowledge of it, and which began to be fulfilled in the war between Israel and the Philistines, later related; or the doctrine, instructions, and exhortations of Samuel to the people of Israel, were by the means of others conveyed throughout the land; and yet they went into measures which proved fatal and ruinous to them; or the word of Samuel, which was from the Lord, came to Israel, to stir them up to go to war with the Philistines, whereby the punishment threatened to Eli's family would begin to have its accomplishment:

now Israel went out against the Philistines to battle; according to the word of Samuel, or of the Lord by him; though Ben Gersom thinks they did this of themselves, which was their sin, and did not ask counsel of the Lord, nor of Samuel his prophet; but it seems as if the Philistines were the aggressors, and first came forth to war against them, and they went out to meet them ^a, as the word is, and defend themselves as it became them: this was forty years after the death of Samson, and at the end of Eli's government, who judged Israel so many years, when they had recruited themselves, and recovered their losses they sustained by Samson; and when they perceived a new judge was raised up among the Israelites, who was likely to be of great service to them, and to prevent their authority over them, and therefore thought to begin with them as soon as possible:

and pitched beside Ebenezer; a place so called by anticipation, and had its name from an later victory obtained, when Samuel set up a stone between Mizpeh and Shen, and called it by this name, 1Sa 7:12, it signifies a stone of help:

and the Philistines pitched in Aphek; a city in the tribe of Judah, bordering on the Philistines; see Gill on Jos 12:18.

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.

Gill: 1Sa 4:3 - And when the people came into the camp // the elders of Israel said, wherefore hath the Lord smitten us today before the Philistines // let us fetch the ark of the covenant of the Lord out of Shiloh unto us // that when it cometh among us, it may save us out of the hand of our enemies

And when the people came into the camp,.... At Ebenezer, where they pitched their tents, and from whence they went out to battle, and whither they returned after their defeat:

the elders of Israel said, wherefore hath the Lord smitten us today before the Philistines? they were right in ascribing it to the Lord, who had suffered them to be defeated by their enemies, but it is strange they should be so insensible of the cause of it; there was a reason ready at hand, their sins and iniquities were the cause of it, the corruption of manners among them, their neglect of bringing their offerings to the Lord, and the idolatry that many of them were guilty of, at least secretly, 1Sa 2:24 to punish them for which, they were brought into this war, and smitten in it; and yet they wonder at it, that so it should be, that they the people of God should be smitten before Heathens and uncircumcised Philistines; and the rather, since they went to battle with them according to the word of the Lord by Samuel; not considering that they went into this war without humiliation for their sins, and without praying to God for success, and that it was intended as a correction of them for their offences against God:

let us fetch the ark of the covenant of the Lord out of Shiloh unto us; in which the law was, sometimes called the covenant between God and them; and which was a symbol of the divine Presence, for want of which they supposed they had not the presence of God with them, and so had not success; and the rather they were encouraged to take this step and method, because that formerly Israel had success against their enemies when the ark was with them, Num 31:6 though no doubt in this there was an overruling providence of God, by which they were led to take such a step as this, in order to bring the two sons of Eli into the camp, that they might be slain in one day, according to the divine prediction:

that when it cometh among us, it may save us out of the hand of our enemies; foolishly placing their confidence in an external symbol, and not in the Lord himself; ascribing salvation to that, which only belongs to him, whether of a temporal or spiritual kind: and such folly and vanity are men guilty of when they seek to, make use of, and trust in anything short of Christ for salvation; as in carnal descent; in the rituals of the law; in the ordinances of the Gospel; in any religious exercises, private or public; or in any works of righteousness done by them: in Christ alone is salvation from spiritual enemies; and indeed from the Lord only is salvation and deliverance from temporal enemies.

Gill: 1Sa 4:4 - So the people sent to Shiloh // that they might bring from thence the ark of the covenant of the Lord of hosts, which dwelleth between the cherubim // and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were there with the ark of the covenant of God

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 Psa 53:1.

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 ^d, it was carried by them forty two miles.

Gill: 1Sa 4:5 - And when the ark of the covenant of the Lord came into the camp // all Israel shouted with a great shout

And when the ark of the covenant of the Lord came into the camp,.... Being brought thither by the men that carried it:

all Israel shouted with a great shout, so that the earth rang again; this they did as now sure of victory, because of the ark, and to give spirit and courage to each other to go forth to battle, and to strike a panic into their enemies.

Gill: 1Sa 4:6 - And when the Philistines heard the noise of the shout // they said, what meaneth the noise of this great shout in the camp of the Hebrews // and they understood that the ark of the Lord was come into the camp

And when the Philistines heard the noise of the shout,.... For it being so loud as to make the earth ring, it was heard in the camp of the Philistines, which might not be at any great distance from the camp of Israel; how far from each other were Aphek and Ebenezer is not certain:

they said, what meaneth the noise of this great shout in the camp of the Hebrews? they could not conceive what should be the reason of it, seeing they had no occasion to shout for joy, having been lately defeated; and a shout is made generally just before a battle is begun, and the onset made, or when victory is obtained; neither of which was the case now:

and they understood that the ark of the Lord was come into the camp: this they understood by spies, which they sent to find out the meaning of the shout; which is more probable than that they came to the knowledge of it by deserters; seeing it is not very likely that any Israelites would desert to the Philistines.

Gill: 1Sa 4:7 - 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

And the Philistines were afraid,.... When the spies returned, and reported to them the reason of the shouting:

for they said, God is come into the camp; into the camp of Israel, because the ark represented him, and was the symbol of his presence; and these Heathens might take the ark itself for an idol of the Israelites; the Targum is,"the ark of God is come"

and they said, woe unto us; it is all over with us, destruction and ruin will be our case, victory will go on their side now their God is among them:

for there hath not been such a thing heretofore; if by this they meant that the ark had never been in the camp of Israel before, they were mistaken; and it is no great wonder they should, being not so well acquainted with the affairs of Israel, and their customs; or rather, it was not so yesterday, or three days ago, when they were defeated; there was no shouting then: or the state of the war is altered; before we fought with the men of Israel, but now we must fight with the God of Israel also.