Bible Chapter Summary
1 Samuel 4 Summary
Ark Captured, Eli Dies, Ichabod Born
Israel battles the Philistines at Eben-ezer and is defeated, losing four thousand men. The elders fetch the ark of the covenant from Shiloh as a sign of God's presence, and Hophni and Phinehas accompany it. The Philistines fight again and defeat Israel utterly; the ark is captured and both of Eli's sons are killed. A messenger brings news to Eli, who falls backward from his seat when hearing the ark is taken, breaking his neck and dying at ninety-eight years old after judging Israel forty years. Phinehas' wife, upon hearing the news, bears a son and names him Ichabod, saying the glory has departed from Israel.
Key themes
Key verses
1 Samuel 4:11
“And the ark of God was taken; and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were slain.”
1 Samuel 4:18
“And it came to pass, when he made mention of the ark of God, that he fell from off the seat backward by the side of the gate, and his neck brake, and he died: for he was an old man, and heavy. And he had judged Israel forty years.”
1 Samuel 4:21
“And she named the child I-chabod, saying, The glory is departed from Israel: because the ark of God was taken, and because of her father in law and her husband.”
Read 1 Samuel 4 in full
Study the complete chapter with interlinear Hebrew & Greek, verse-by-verse, in the Gospel Daily reader.
Open the full chapter