Lectionary Calendar
Thursday, April 9th, 2026
Thursday in Easter Week
Attention!
Tired of seeing ads while studying? Now you can enjoy an "Ads Free" version of the site for as little as 10¢ a day and support a great cause!
Click here to learn more!

Read the Bible

Complete Jewish Bible

1 Samuel 4:2

The P'lishtim drew up in battle formation against Isra'el. The battle was fierce, and Isra'el was beaten by the P'lishtim — they killed about four thousand soldiers on the battlefield.

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - Aphek;   Israel;   Thompson Chain Reference - Defeats;   Israel;   Israel-The Jews;   Torrey's Topical Textbook - Philistines, the;  

Dictionaries:

- American Tract Society Bible Dictionary - Ark of the Covenant;   Eli;   Philistines;   Bridgeway Bible Dictionary - Philistia, philistines;   Shiloh;   Charles Buck Theological Dictionary - Lord's Name Taken in Vain;   Prayer;   Easton Bible Dictionary - Samuel;   Holman Bible Dictionary - Philistines, the;   Samuel, Books of;   Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible - Philistines;   Samuel, Books of;   Morrish Bible Dictionary - Man;   The Hawker's Poor Man's Concordance And Dictionary - Hophni;   People's Dictionary of the Bible - Eli;  

Encyclopedias:

- Condensed Biblical Cyclopedia - Samuel the Prophet;   The Jewish Encyclopedia - Eben-Ezer;   Iyyar;  

Devotionals:

- Every Day Light - Devotion for March 30;  

Parallel Translations

Christian Standard Bible®
The Philistines lined up in battle formation against Israel, and as the battle intensified, Israel was defeated by the Philistines, who struck down about four thousand men on the battlefield.
Hebrew Names Version
The Pelishtim put themselves in array against Yisra'el: and when they joined battle, Yisra'el was struck before the Pelishtim; and they killed of the army in the field about four thousand men.
King James Version
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.
Lexham English Bible
The Philistines lined up for the battle to meet Israel, and the battle was prolonged until Israel was defeated before the Philistines, who killed about four thousand men on the battlefield.
English Standard Version
The Philistines drew up in line against Israel, and when the battle spread, Israel was defeated before the Philistines, who killed about four thousand men on the field of battle.
New Century Version
The Philistines went to meet the Israelites in battle. And as the battle spread, they defeated the Israelites, killing about four thousand soldiers on the battlefield.
New English Translation
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.
Amplified Bible
The Philistines assembled in battle formation to meet Israel, and when the battle was over, Israel was defeated by the Philistines, who killed about four thousand men on the battlefield.
New American Standard Bible
Then the Philistines drew up in battle formation to meet Israel. When the battle spread, Israel was defeated by the Philistines, who killed about four thousand men on the battlefield.
Geneva Bible (1587)
And the Philistims put themselues in aray against Israel: and when they ioyned the battell, Israel was smitten downe before the Philistims: who slewe of the armie in the fielde about foure thousand men.
Legacy Standard Bible
And the Philistines arranged themselves to meet Israel. Then the battle spread, and Israel was defeated before the Philistines who struck down about 4,000 men on the battlefield.
Contemporary English Version
The Philistines made a fierce attack. They defeated the Israelites and killed about four thousand of them.
Darby Translation
And the Philistines put themselves in array against Israel; and the battle spread, and Israel was routed before the Philistines; and they slew in battle array in the field about four thousand men.
Easy-to-Read Version
The Philistines lined up their soldiers in front of the Israelites and began the attack. The Philistines defeated the Israelites. They killed about 4000 soldiers from Israel's army.
George Lamsa Translation
And the Philistines put themselves in array against Israel; and when they fought, Israel was defeated before the Philistines; and there were slain on the battlefield about four thousand men.
Good News Translation
The Philistines attacked, and after fierce fighting they defeated the Israelites and killed about four thousand men on the battlefield.
Literal Translation
And the Philistines set themselves in order to meet Israel, and the battle was spread. And Israel was stricken before the Philistines. And they struck about four thousand men from the battle line in the field.
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
and prepared them selues agaynst Israel. And whan the battayll beganne, the hoost was deuyded, so that Israel was smytte before the enemies, & in the edge in the felde they slewe aboute a foure thousande men.
American Standard Version
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.
Bible in Basic English
And the Philistines put their forces in order against Israel, and the fighting was hard, and Israel was overcome by the Philistines, who put to the sword about four thousand of their army in the field.
Bishop's Bible (1568)
And put them selues in aray against Israel: and when they ioyned the battell, Israel was smytten downe before the Philistines, and the Philistines slue of the armie in the fielde about a foure thousand men.
JPS Old Testament (1917)
And the Philistines put themselves in array against Israel; and when the battle was spread, Israel was smitten before the Philistines; and they slew of the army in the field about four thousand men.
King James Version (1611)
And the Philistines put themselues in aray against Israel: and when they ioyned battell, Israel was smitten before the Philistines: and they slew of the armie in the field, about foure thousand men.
Brenton's Septuagint (LXX)
And the Philistines prepare to fight with Israel, and the battle was turned against them; and the men of Israel fell before the Philistines, and there were smitten in the battle in the field four thousand men.
English Revised Version
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.
Berean Standard Bible
The Philistines arrayed themselves against Israel, and as the battle spread, Israel was defeated by the Philistines, who struck down about four thousand men on the battlefield.
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
and maden redi scheltrun ayens Israel. Sotheli whanne the batel was bigunnun, Israel turned backis to Filisteis; and as foure thousynde of men weren slayn in that batel `euery where bi feeldis;
Young's Literal Translation
and the Philistines set themselves in array to meet Israel, and the battle spreadeth itself, and Israel is smitten before the Philistines, and they smite among the ranks in the field about four thousand men.
Update Bible Version
And the Philistines put themselves in array against Israel: and when they joined the battle, Israel was smitten before the Philistines; and they slew of the army in the field about four thousand men.
Webster's Bible Translation
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.
World English Bible
The Philistines put themselves in array against Israel: and when they joined battle, Israel was struck before the Philistines; and they killed of the army in the field about four thousand men.
New King James Version
Then the Philistines put themselves in battle array against Israel. And when they joined battle, Israel was defeated by the Philistines, who killed about four thousand men of the army in the field.
New Living Translation
The Philistines attacked and defeated the army of Israel, killing 4,000 men.
New Life Bible
The Philistines came dressed for battle to meet Israel. When the battle spread, Israel lost to the Philistines. The Philistines killed about 4,000 men on the battle-field.
New Revised Standard
The Philistines drew up in line against Israel, and when the battle was joined, Israel was defeated by the Philistines, who killed about four thousand men on the field of battle.
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
And the Philistines set themselves in array to meet Israel, and, when the battle spread, then was Israel smitten before the Philistines, - and there were slain of the army in the field about four thousand men.
Douay-Rheims Bible
And put their army in array against Israel. And when they had joined battle, Israel turned their backs to the Philistines: and there were slain in that fight, here and there in the fields, about four thousand men.
Revised Standard Version
The Philistines drew up in line against Israel, and when the battle spread, Israel was defeated by the Philistines, who slew about four thousand men on the field of battle.
New American Standard Bible (1995)
The Philistines drew up in battle array to meet Israel. When the battle spread, Israel was defeated before the Philistines who killed about four thousand men on the battlefield.

Contextual Overview

1 So the word of Sh'mu'el came to all Isra'el. Isra'el went out to fight against the P'lishtim, setting up camp at Even-‘Ezer, while the P'lishtim camped at Afek. 2 The P'lishtim drew up in battle formation against Isra'el. The battle was fierce, and Isra'el was beaten by the P'lishtim — they killed about four thousand soldiers on the battlefield. 3 When the army had returned to camp, the leaders of Isra'el asked, "Why has Adonai defeated us today before the P'lishtim? Let's bring the ark for the covenant of Adonai from Shiloh to us, so that he will come among us and save us from our enemies." 4 So the people sent to Shiloh and brought from there the ark for the covenant of Adonai -Tzva'ot, who is present above the k'ruvim. The two sons of ‘Eli, Hofni and Pinchas, were there with the ark for the covenant of God. 5 When the ark for the covenant of Adonai entered the camp, all Isra'el gave a mighty shout that resounded through the land. 6 On hearing the shout, the P'lishtim asked, "What does this great shout in the Hebrews' camp mean?" Then they realized that the ark of Adonai had arrived in the camp, 7 and the P'lishtim became afraid. They said, "God has entered the camp! We're lost! There was no such thing yesterday or the day before. 8 We're lost! Who will rescue us from the power of these mighty gods? These are the gods that completely overthrew the Egyptians in the desert. 9 Be strong; and behave like men, you P'lishtim; so that you won't become slaves to the Hebrews, as they have been to you. Behave like men, and fight!"

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

put: 1 Samuel 17:8, 1 Samuel 17:21

they joined battle: Heb. the battle was spread

Israel: Joshua 7:5-8, Joshua 7:12, Psalms 44:9, Psalms 44:10

and they: Psalms 79:7, Psalms 79:8, Psalms 106:40, Psalms 106:41, Lamentations 3:40

the army: Heb. the array

Reciprocal: Deuteronomy 1:42 - for I am not Judges 3:3 - five lords Judges 18:30 - until 1 Samuel 2:31 - I will cut 1 Samuel 4:10 - Israel Psalms 78:62 - gave

Cross-References

Genesis 3:23
therefore Adonai , God, sent him out of the garden of ‘Eden to cultivate the ground from which he was taken.
Genesis 4:25
Adam again had sexual relations with his wife, and she gave birth to a son whom she named Shet [granted], "For God has granted me another seed in place of Hevel, since Kayin killed him."
Genesis 4:26
To Shet too was born a son, whom he called Enosh. That is when people began to call on the name of Adonai .
Genesis 9:20
Noach, a farmer, was the first to plant a vineyard.
Genesis 37:13
Isra'el asked Yosef, "Aren't your brothers pasturing the sheep in Sh'khem? Come, I will send you to them." He answered, "Here I am."
Genesis 47:3
Pharaoh said to his brothers, "What is your occupation?" They answered Pharaoh, "Your servants are shepherds, both we and our ancestors,"
Exodus 3:1
(iv) Now Moshe was tending the sheep of Yitro his father-in-law, the priest of Midyan. Leading the flock to the far side of the desert, he came to the mountain of God, to Horev.
Psalms 127:3
Children too are a gift from Adonai ; the fruit of the womb is a reward.
Amos 7:15
But Adonai took me away from following the flock, and Adonai said to me, ‘Go, prophesy to my people Isra'el.'
Luke 11:51
from the blood of Hevel to the blood of Z'kharyah, who was killed between the altar and the Holy Place. Yes, I tell you, the responsibility for it will fall on this generation!

Gill's Notes on the Bible

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

Psalms 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.

b ותטש המלחמה "et diffusum est praelium", Pagninus, Montanus, Drusius. c Misn. Sotah, c. 8. sect. 6.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse 1 Samuel 4:2. 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, c. but we know not the principles on which they acted.

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.


 
adsfree-icon
Ads FreeProfile