4 So the people H5971 sent H7971 to Shiloh, H7887 that they might bring H5375 from thence the ark H727 of the covenant H1285 of the LORD H3068 of hosts, H6635 which dwelleth H3427 between the cherubims: H3742 and the two H8147 sons H1121 of Eli, H5941 Hophni H2652 and Phinehas, H6372 were there with the ark H727 of the covenant H1285 of God. H430
And David H1732 arose, H6965 and went H3212 with all the people H5971 that were with him from Baale of Judah, H1184 to bring up H5927 from thence the ark H727 of God, H430 whose name H8034 is called H7121 by the name H8034 of the LORD H3068 of hosts H6635 that dwelleth H3427 between the cherubims. H3742
[[To the chief Musician H5329 upon Shoshannimeduth, H7802 A Psalm H4210 of Asaph.]] H623 Give ear, H238 O Shepherd H7462 of Israel, H3478 thou that leadest H5090 Joseph H3130 like a flock; H6629 thou that dwellest H3427 between the cherubims, H3742 shine forth. H3313
And when Moses H4872 was gone H935 into the tabernacle H168 of the congregation H4150 to speak H1696 with him, then he heard H8085 the voice H6963 of one speaking H1696 unto him from off the mercy seat H3727 that was upon the ark H727 of testimony, H5715 from between the two H8147 cherubims: H3742 and he spake H1696 unto him.
The LORD H3068 reigneth; H4427 let the people H5971 tremble: H7264 he sitteth H3427 between the cherubims; H3742 let the earth H776 be moved. H5120
And thou shalt make H6213 two H8147 cherubims H3742 of gold, H2091 of beaten work H4749 shalt thou make H6213 them, in the two H8147 ends H7098 of the mercy seat. H3727 And make H6213 one H259 cherub H3742 on the one end, H7098 and the other H259 cherub H3742 on the other H2088 end: H7098 even of the mercy seat H3727 shall ye make H6213 the cherubims H3742 on the two H8147 ends H7098 thereof. And the cherubims H3742 shall stretch H6566 forth their wings H3671 on high, H4605 covering H5526 the mercy seat H3727 with their wings, H3671 and their faces H6440 shall look one H376 to another; H251 toward the mercy seat H3727 shall the faces H6440 of the cherubims H3742 be. And thou shalt put H5414 the mercy seat H3727 above H4605 upon the ark; H727 and in the ark H727 thou shalt put H5414 the testimony H5715 that I shall give H5414 thee. And there I will meet H3259 with thee, and I will commune H1696 with thee from above the mercy seat, H3727 from between H996 the two H8147 cherubims H3742 which are upon H5921 the ark H727 of the testimony, H5715 of all things which I will give thee in commandment H6680 unto the children H1121 of Israel. H3478
And when Aaron H175 and his sons H1121 have made an end H3615 of covering H3680 the sanctuary, H6944 and all the vessels H3627 of the sanctuary, H6944 as the camp H4264 is to set forward; H5265 after H310 that, the sons H1121 of Kohath H6955 shall come H935 to bear H5375 it: but they shall not touch H5060 any holy thing, H6944 lest they die. H4191 These things are the burden H4853 of the sons H1121 of Kohath H6955 in the tabernacle H168 of the congregation. H4150
Now the sons H1121 of Eli H5941 were sons H1121 of Belial; H1100 they knew H3045 not the LORD. H3068 And the priests' H3548 custom H4941 with the people H5971 was, that, when any man H376 offered H2076 sacrifice, H2077 the priest's H3548 servant H5288 came, H935 while the flesh H1320 was in seething, H1310 with a fleshhook H4207 of three H7969 teeth H8127 in his hand; H3027 And he struck H5221 it into the pan, H3595 or kettle, H1731 or caldron, H7037 or pot; H6517 all that the fleshhook H4207 brought up H5927 the priest H3548 took H3947 for himself. So they did H6213 in Shiloh H7887 unto all the Israelites H3478 that came H935 thither. Also before they burnt H6999 the fat, H2459 the priest's H3548 servant H5288 came, H935 and said H559 to the man H376 that sacrificed, H2076 Give H5414 flesh H1320 to roast H6740 for the priest; H3548 for he will not have H3947 sodden H1310 flesh H1320 of thee, but raw. H2416 And if any man H376 said H559 unto him, Let them not fail H6999 to burn H6999 the fat H2459 presently, H3117 and then take H3947 as much as thy soul H5315 desireth; H183 then he would answer H559 him, Nay; but thou shalt give H5414 it me now: and if not, I will take H3947 it by force. H2394 Wherefore the sin H2403 of the young men H5288 was very H3966 great H1419 before H6440 the LORD: H3068 for men H582 abhorred H5006 the offering H4503 of the LORD. H3068
And Hezekiah H2396 prayed H6419 before H6440 the LORD, H3068 and said, H559 O LORD H3068 God H430 of Israel, H3478 which dwellest H3427 between the cherubims, H3742 thou art the God, H430 even thou alone, of all the kingdoms H4467 of the earth; H776 thou hast made H6213 heaven H8064 and earth. H776
And G1161 the evil G4190 spirit G4151 answered G611 and said, G2036 Jesus G2424 I know, G1097 and G2532 Paul G3972 I know; G1987 but G1161 who G5101 are G2075 ye? G5210 And G2532 the man G444 in G1722 whom G3739 the evil G4190 spirit G4151 was G2258 leaped G2177 on G1909 them, G846 and G2532 overcame G2634 them, G846 and prevailed G2480 against G2596 them, G846 so G5620 that they fled G1628 out of G1537 that G1565 house G3624 naked G1131 and G2532 wounded. G5135
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Matthew Henry Commentary » Commentary on 1 Samuel 4
Commentary on 1 Samuel 4 Matthew Henry Commentary
Chapter 4
The predictions in the foregoing chapters concerning the ruin of Eli's house here begin to be fulfilled; how long after does not appear, but certainly not long. Such sinners God often makes quick work with. Here is,
1Sa 4:1-9
The first words of this paragraph, which relate to Samuel, that his word came to all Israel, seem not to have any reference to the following story, as if it was by any direction of his that the Israelites went out against the Philistines. Had they consulted him, though but newly initiated as a prophet, his counsel might have stood them in more stead than the presence of the ark did; but perhaps the princes of Israel despised his youth, and would not have recourse to him as an oracle, and he did not as yet interpose in public affairs; nor do we find any mention of his name henceforward till some years after (ch. 7:3), only his word came to all Israel, that is, people from all parts that were piously disposed had recourse to him as a prophet and consulted him. Perhaps it is meant of his prophecy against the house of Eli. This was generally known and talked of, and all that were serious and observing compared the events here related, when they came to pass, with the prophecy, and saw it accomplished in them. Here is,
1Sa 4:10-11
Here is a short account of the issue of this battle.
1Sa 4:12-18
Tidings are here brought to Shiloh of the fatal issue of their battle with the Philistines. Bad news flies fast. This soon spread through all Israel; every man that fled to his tent brought it, with too plain a proof of it, to his neighbours. But no place was so nearly concerned as Shiloh. Thither therefore an express posted away immediately; it was a man of Benjamin; the Jews fancy it was Saul. He rent his clothes, and put earth upon his head, by these signs to proclaim the sorrowful news to all that saw him as he ran, and to show how much he himself was affected with it, v. 12. He went straight to Shiloh with it; and here we are told,
1Sa 4:19-22
We have here another melancholy story, that carries on the desolations of Eli's house, and the sorrowful feeling which the tidings of the ark's captivity excited. It is concerning the wife of Phinehas, one of those ungracious sons of Eli that had brought all this mischief on Israel. It cost her her life, though young, as well as that of her father-in-law, that was old; for many a green head, as well as many a hoary head, has been brought by sorrow to the grave: it worketh death. By what is here related of her it appears,