BibleWord.ai› Bible› 1 Samuel› Chapter 4› Verse 7

1 Samuel 4:7

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does 1 Samuel 4:7 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “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.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

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.
1 Samuel 4:7 — American Standard Version

Context — 1 Samuel 4

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
4So the people sent to Shiloh; and they brought from thence the ark of the covenant of Jehovah of hosts, who sitteth [above] the cherubim: and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were there with the ark of the covenant of God.
5And when the ark of the covenant of Jehovah came into the camp, all Israel shouted with a great shout, so that the earth rang again.
6And 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 Jehovah was come into the camp.
7And 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.
8Woe unto us! who shall deliver us out of the hand of these mighty gods? these are the gods that smote the Egyptians with all manner of plagues in the wilderness.
9Be strong, and quit yourselves like men, O ye Philistines, that ye be not servants unto the Hebrews, as they have been to you: quit yourselves like men, and fight.
10And the Philistines fought, and Israel was smitten, and they fled every man to his tent: and there was a very great slaughter; for there fell of Israel thirty thousand footmen.
← 1 Samuel 4:61 Samuel 4:8 →
← Full Chapter 4 1 Samuel Overview

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And the Philistines were afraid, etc.] 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…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Heretofore - Not in our times; for the fore - mentioned removals of the ark were before it came to Shiloh. 1 Kings (1 Samuel) 4:8”
Read attributed excerpt →
Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“were afraid: Exo 14:25, Exo 15:14-16; Deu 32:30 heretofore: Heb. yesterday or the third day 1 Kings (1 Samuel) 4:8”
Read attributed excerpt →

Related study paths

Read 1 Samuel 4 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification