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¶ Chak fwa Samyèl te pale tout pèp la te koute l'. Lè sa a, pèp Izrayèl la soti pou y' al goumen ak moun Filisti yo. Konsa, yo moute kan yo bò lavil Ebenezè. Moun Filisti yo menm moute kan pa yo lavil Afèk.

Moun Filisti yo pran pozisyon anfas moun Izrayèl yo pou yo goumen. Epi batay la konmanse. Moun Filisti yo bat moun Izrayèl yo byen bat, yo touye katmil (4000) moun konsa nan plenn kote yo t'ap goumen an.

Lè sa a, sa ki te chape yo tounen nan kan yo a, tout chèf ki te reskonsab pèp Izrayèl la di: -Poukisa Seyè a kite moun Filisti yo bat nou konsa jòdi a? Ann al pran Bwat Kontra Seyè a ki lavil Silo pou li ka nan mitan nou. Konsa l'a delivre nou anba men lènmi nou yo.

Se konsa yo voye kèk moun lavil Silo. Yo pran Bwat Kontra Seyè ki gen tout pouvwa a, Seyè ki chita sou fotèy li anwo zanj cheriben yo. Yo pote l' vini. Tout de pitit Eli yo, Ofni ak Fineas, te la ansanm ak Bwat Kontra a.

Lè Bwat Kontra Seyè a rive nan kan an, tout moun Izrayèl yo bay yon sèl gwo rèl, tè a tranble.

Moun Filisti yo tande rèl la, yo di: -Pouki tout gwo rèl sa a nan kan moun Izrayèl yo? Lè yo vin konnen se Bwat Kontra Seyè a ki te rive nan kan an,

yo vin pè, yo t'ap di: -Bondye moun sa yo rive nan kan yo a. Nou nan ka, devenn pa nou! Bagay konsa pa janm rive nou anvan sa!

Ala devenn pou nou, mezanmi! Ki moun ki ka delivre nou anba men bondye sa yo ki plen pouvwa? Se bondye sa yo ki te voye tout kalite malè sou moun Lejip yo nan dezè a.

Se pou nou mete gason sou nou, nou menm moun Filisti, pou nou pa tounen esklav ebre yo menm jan yo te esklav nou an. Se pou n' goumen tankou vanyan gason!

10 ¶ Moun Filisti yo goumen rèd mare, yo bat moun Izrayèl yo ki kouri chape al lakay yo. Se te yon gwo kou pou pèp Izrayèl la. Te gen trantmil (30000) sòlda apye ki te mouri nan lame pèp Izrayèl la.

11 Moun Filisti yo te sezi Bwat Kontra Bondye a epi tou de pitit Eli yo, Ofni ak Fineas, te mouri.

12 ¶ Yon nonm nan branch fanmi Benjamen an te pran kouri depi kote yo t'ap goumen an jouk lavil Silo. Li rive menm jou a. Li te chire rad sou li, li te mete pousyè sou tèt li pou fè wè jan li te nan lapenn.

13 Eli menm te chita sou chèz li a bò wout la ap veye paske kè l' pa t' poze pou Bwat Kontra Bondye a. Nonm lan lage nouvèl la nan tout lavil la. Tout moun t'ap pouse rèl tèlman yo te pè.

14 Eli tande bri a, li mande: -Pouki tout bri sa a? Nonm lan kouri pote nouvèl la bay Eli.

15 Eli te gen katrevendizwitan sou tèt li, li pa t' wè menm nan je l' ankò.

16 Nonm lan di Eli konsa: -Mwen fèk soti kote yo t'ap goumen an, mwen chape kò m' nan batay la vin isit la. Eli di l': -Ki jan sa pase, pitit mwen!

17 Mesaje a reponn, li di l' konsa: -Moun Izrayèl yo kouri pou moun Filisti yo ki touye anpil moun nan pèp la. De pitit gason ou yo, Ofni ak Fineas, mouri. Moun Filisti yo sezi Bwat Kontra Bondye a.

18 Nonmen nonm lan nonmen Bwat Kontra a, Eli sot tonbe sou chèz la, li blayi atè devan pòtay la. Li te fin granmoun epi li te gwo anpil. Nwa kou l' kase sèk, li mouri. Li te pase karantan ap gouvènen pèp Izrayèl la.

19 ¶ Bèlfi Eli a, madanm Fineas, te ansent, li t'ap tann jou pou l' akouche. Lè li tande yo te pran Bwat Kontra Bondye a, epi bòpè l' ansanm ak mari l' te mouri, lamenm tranche pran l', li akouche.

20 Men, medam ki te la avè l' yo wè l'ap mouri, yo di l' konsa: -Pran kouraj, machè! Ou fè yon pitit gason. Men li pa reponn anyen, li pa okipe yo.

21 Li rele ti gason an Ikabòd, epi li di: -Pèp Izrayèl la pèdi lasistans pouvwa Bondye a. Li t'ap di sa akòz Bwat Kontra Bondye yo te sezi a.

22 Li t'ap di: -Wi, avèk Bwat Kontra Bondye yo pran an, pèp Izrayèl la pèdi lasistans pouvwa Bondye a.

¶ Lè moun Filisti yo sezi Bwat Kontra Bondye a bò lavil Ebenezè, yo pote l' ale lavil Asdòd.

Yo antre avè l' nan tanp Dagon, bondye pa yo a. Yo mete l' sou kote estati Dagon an.

Nan denmen maten byen bonè, lè moun lavil Asdòd yo leve, yo wè estati Dagon an te tonbe fas atè devan Bwat Kontra Bondye a. Yo pran estati Dagon an, yo mete l' kanpe nan plas li ankò.

Nan denmen ankò lè yo leve nan maten, yo wè estati Dagon an te tonbe fas atè devan Bwat Kontra Seyè a. Tèt li ak de bra l' yo te kraze, yo te sou papòt tanp lan. Se rès kò a ase ki te rete.

Se poutèt sa, jouk koulye a, ni prèt Dagon yo ni moun k'ap antre nan tanp Dagon an lavil Asdòd, lè yo rive devan pòtay la, yo sote papòt la, yo pa janm pile li.

¶ Seyè a t'ap manyen ak pèp lavil Asdòd la, li te mete yo vant ba. Li fè yon bann gwo bouton soti sou yo ak sou moun ki t'ap viv nan vwazinaj lavil la.

Lè moun lavil Asdòd yo wè sa ki te rive yo a, yo di: -Pa kite Bwat Kontra Bondye pèp Izrayèl la nan mitan nou ankò! Se pa ti kras kale l'ap kale Dagon, zidòl nou an, ansanm ak nou.

Se konsa yo voye chache senk chèf moun Filisti yo, epi yo di yo: -Kisa pou nou fè ak Bwat Kontra Bondye pèp Izrayèl la? Chèf yo reponn: -Pote l' ale lavil Gat. Se konsa yo pote Bwat Kontra Bondye pèp Izrayèl la lavil Gat.

Men, lè Bwat Kontra a rive la, Seyè a manyen ak moun lavil la. Li fè yon sèl kouri pete nan lavil la. Bondye pini yo, li voye yon kalite gwo bouton ki leve sou tout kò moun lavil la, timoun kou granmoun.

10 Se konsa yo voye Bwat Kontra a lavil Ekwon. Rive li rive la, moun yo pran rele: -Men yo pote Bwat Kontra Bondye pèp Izrayèl la lakay nou. Se touye yo vle touye tout moun isit la!

11 Yo fè chache senk chèf moun Filisti yo. Yo di yo: -Voye Bwat Kontra Bondye pèp Izrayèl la tounen nan plas li, pou li pa touye tout moun isit yo. Tout lavil la te tèt anba, moun t'ap mouri paske Seyè a t'ap manyen rèd ak yo.

12 Sa ki pa t' mouri yo te gen tout kò yo kouvri ak bouton. Tout moun t'ap rele mande bondye pa yo sekou.

¶ Bwat Kontra Seyè a te gen tan pase sèt mwa nan peyi Filisti a.

Moun Filisti yo fè rele prèt yo ak divinò yo. Yo mande yo: -Kisa pou n' fè ak Bwat Kontra Seyè a? Ki jan pou n' fè pou n' voye l' tounen nan plas li?

Yo reponn: -Si n'ap voye Bwat Kontra Bondye pèp Izrayèl la tounen, nou pa ka voye l' konsa san anyen. Se pou nou voye kichòy ki va sèvi pou peye pou sa nou fè a. Si nou fè l' konsa, nou tout n'a geri, epi n'a konnen poukisa li t'ap plede frape nou konsa.

Pèp la mande yo: -Ki kalite bagay pou nou bay ki va sèvi pou peye pou sa nou fè a? Yo di yo: -Senk bouton lò ak senk sourit an lò, yonn pou chak chèf moun Filisti yo, paske se menm maladi a ki te tonbe ni sou nou ni sou senk chèf nou yo.

N'a fè bouton lò yo pou yo sanble ak bouton ki te leve sou nou yo. Konsa tou, n'a fè senk sourit an lò pòtre ak sourit k'ap plede ravaje peyi a. Epi n'a rekonèt Bondye pèp Izrayèl la se yon Bondye ki gen pouvwa. Lè sa a, nou kwè l'a sispann frape nou, nou menm, bondye nou yo ak peyi nou an.

Poukisa pou n'ap fè tèt di tankou farawon an ak moun peyi Lejip yo? Eske lè Bondye te konmanse manyen ak yo, yo pa t' kite moun yo al fè wout yo?

Nou pral pare yon kabwa tou nèf ak de manman bèf ki gen pitit dèyè yo epi ki pa janm sèvi pou fè ankenn travay anvan sa. N'a mare yo nan kabwa a, men n'a fè ti bèf dèyè manman yo tounen lakay.

N'a pran Bwat Kontra Seyè a, n'a mete l' sou kabwa a. N'a pran sa n'ap bay pou sèvi pou peye pou sa nou fè a, n'a mete yo nan yon ti bwat sou kote l'. N'a mete kabwa a sou wout la, n'a kite l' ale pou kont li.

N'a rete ap gade l' ale. Si nou wè l' pran chemen moute lavil Bèt-Chemèch, n'a konnen se Bondye pèp Izrayèl la ki te voye tout malè sa yo sou nou. Men si li pran yon lòt wout, lè sa a n'a konnen malè sa yo pa t' soti nan li. Se te devenn pa nou.

10 ¶ Moun yo fè sa yo te di yo fè a. Yo pran de manman bèf ki te gen pitit dèyè yo, yo mare yo nan kabwa a, men yo kenbe ti bèf ki te dèyè manman yo lakay.

11 Yo mete Bwat Kontra a sou kabwa a ansanm ak ti bwat ki te gen ti sourit an lò yo ak pòtre bouton yo.

12 Bèf yo pran wout lavil Bèt-Chemèch dirèk dirèk. Y' al tou dwat devan yo. Sou tout wout la bèf yo t'ap rele. Senk chèf moun Filisti yo t'ap mache dèyè yo jouk yo rive sou baliz lavil Bèt-Chemèch.

13 Moun lavil Bèt-Chemèch yo t'ap ranmase ble nan plenn lan. Lè yo leve je yo, yo wè Bwat Kontra a, yo pran rele sitèlman yo te kontan.

14 Kabwa a rive nan jaden Jozye a nan peyi Bèt-Chemèch epi li rete. Te gen yon gwo wòch bò la. Moun yo demoute kabwa a, yo fann tout bwa yo, yo touye bèf yo, epi yo boule yo nèt pou Seyè a.

15 Apre sa, moun Levi yo desann Bwat Kontra Seyè a ansanm ak ti bwat ki te gen bagay an lò yo. Yo mete yo sou gwo wòch la. Jou sa a, moun lavil Bèt-Chemèch yo ofri lòt bèt tou pou boule nèt nan dife ansanm ak lòt ofrann pou Seyè a.

16 Lè senk chèf moun Filisti yo wè sa, yo tounen lavil Ekwon menm jou a.

17 Moun Filisti yo te voye senk bouton lò bay Seyè a pou sa te sèvi pou peye pou sa yo te fè a: yonn pou Asdòd, yonn pou Gaza, yonn pou Achkalon, yonn pou Gat, yonn pou Ekwon.

18 Yo te voye senk ti sourit fèt an lò tou, yonn pou chak lavil kote chèf moun Filisti yo t'ap kòmande, kit se lavil ki gen ranpa, kit se lavil ki pa gen ranpa. Gwo wòch kote yo te mete Bwat Kontra Seyè a nan mitan jaden Jozye a, bò lavil Bèt-Chemèch la, kanpe la jouk koulye a, tankou yon mak pou fè chonje sak te rive lè sa a.

19 ¶ Apre sa, Seyè a te touye kèk moun nan moun lavil Bèt-Chemèch yo paske yo t' al voye je yo wè sa ki anndan Bwat Kontra a. Li touye swasanndis ladan yo. Pèp la te nan gwo lapenn, paske Seyè a te fè gwo malè sa a sou yo.

20 Lè sa a, moun lavil Bèt-Chemèch yo di: -Ki moun ki ka kanpe devan Seyè a, Bondye sa a ki yon Bondye apa? Ki bò pou n' voye Bwat Kontra a ale pou l' pa rete lakay nou?

21 Yo pran kèk mesaje, yo voye yo ale bò kote moun lavil Kiriyat-Jearim, yo di yo konsa: -Moun Filisti yo voye Bwat Kontra Seyè a tounen. Vin pran l' mennen lakay nou.

¶ Se konsa moun lavil Kiriyat Jearim yo vin pran Bwat Kontra Seyè a. Yo mete l' lakay Abinadad, sou tèt yon ti mòn. Yo chwazi Eleaza, pitit gason Abinadad la, pou okipe Bwat Kontra Seyè a.

Bwat Kontra Seyè a te rete yon bon tan lavil Kiriyat-Jearim. Li te pase ventan la. Pandan tout tan sa a, tout moun pèp Izrayèl yo t'ap rele nan pye Seyè a pou mande l' sekou.

¶ Samyèl pale ak tout pèp la, li di yo konsa: -Si nou tounen vin jwenn Seyè a ak tout kè nou vre, se pou nou wete tout bondye moun lòt nasyon yo ak tout pòtre metrès Astate yo nan mitan nou. Viv pou Seyè a sèlman, se li menm ase pou nou sèvi. Lè sa a l'a delivre nou anba men moun Filisti yo.

Se konsa moun pèp Izrayèl yo wete tout estati bondye Baal ak metrès Astate yo nan mitan yo. Yo pran sèvi Seyè a sèlman.

Apre sa, Samyèl di yo: -Sanble tout pèp Izrayèl la lavil Mispa, m'a lapriyè Seyè a la pou nou.

Se konsa yo tout sanble lavil Mispa. Yo tire dlo, yo vide l' atè tankou yon ofrann pou Seyè a. Jou sa a, yo rete san manje. Epi yo di: -Nou peche kont Seyè a! Samyèl te rete lavil Mispa, se la li te konn regle tout bagay pou pèp Izrayèl la.

¶ Lè moun Filisti yo vin konnen pèp Izrayèl la te sanble lavil Mispa, senk chèf moun Filisti yo moute al atake yo. Moun pèp Izrayèl yo tande sa, yo te pè.

Epi yo di Samyèl: -Pa sispann lapriyè Seyè a pou nou, pou l' ka sove nou anba men moun Filisti yo.

Samyèl pran yon ti mouton dèyè manman, li boule l' nèt, li ofri l' bay Seyè a. Lèfini, Samyèl lapriyè Seyè a pou l' vin ede pèp Izrayèl la. Seyè a reponn lapriyè a.

10 Pandan Samyèl t'ap boule ofrann lan, moun Filisti yo mache sou pèp Izrayèl la vin atake yo. Men lè sa a, Seyè a voye yon kout loraj sou moun Filisti yo. Moun Filisti yo pèdi tèt yo, yo pran kouri met deyò devan pèp Izrayèl la.

11 Moun Izrayèl yo soti lavil Mispa, yo pran kouri dèyè moun Filisti yo jouk rive toupre lavil Bètka. Sou tout wout la yo bat yo byen bat.

12 Lè sa a, Samyèl pran yon wòch, li mete l' ant lavil Mispa ak lavil Chenn. Li rele wòch la Ebenezè, paske li t'ap di: Jouk jòdi a se Seyè a ki pote nou sekou.

13 ¶ Se konsa moun Filisti yo te pèdi batay la nèt. Yo pa janm rekonmanse anvayi teritwa moun Izrayèl yo ankò. Seyè a te kenbe yo anba men l' pandan tout tan Samyèl te vivan.

14 Tout lavil moun Filisti yo te pran, depi lavil Ekwon jouk lavil Gat, tout te tounen nan men moun Izrayèl yo ankò. Se konsa pèp Izrayèl la te mete moun Filisti yo deyò sou tout teritwa ki te pou yo. Epitou pa t' gen lagè menm ant moun Izrayèl yo ak moun Amori yo.

15 Samyèl gouvènen pèp Izrayèl la jouk li mouri.

16 Chak lanne li te fè vizit nan tout peyi a, li pase lavil Betèl, lavil Gilgal ak lavil Mispa. Nan tout lavil yo, li te konn regle tout kont moun yo te gen yonn ak lòt.

17 Apre sa, li tounen lakay li lavil Rama kote li te konn regle zafè pou pèp Izrayèl la tou. Li te bati yon lotèl pou Seyè a lavil Rama.

¶ Lè Samyèl konmanse granmoun, li mete pitit gason l' yo pou gouvènen pèp Izrayèl la.

Pi gran an te rele Joèl, piti a te rele Abija. Se lavil Bècheba yo t'ap gouvènen.

Men yo pa t' swiv egzanp papa yo. Yon sèl bagay ki te enterese yo se te fè lajan. Yo te konn pran lajan sou kote nan men moun pou regle zafè pou yo. Yo t'ap fè patipri.

¶ Lè sa a, tout chèf fanmi ki te reskonsab pèp Izrayèl la sanble, y' al jwenn Samyèl lavil Rama.

Epi yo di l': -Gade! Ou fin granmoun. Pitit ou yo pa swiv egzanp ou te ba yo. Koulye a, chwazi yon wa pou gouvènen nou, jan sa fèt nan tout lòt peyi yo.

Pawòl sa yo pa t' fè Samyèl plezi paske yo t'ap mande pou li ba yo yon wa pou gouvènen yo. Samyèl lapriyè Seyè a.

Seyè a di Samyèl ankò: -Ou mèt koute tou sa pèp la di ou. Paske se pa ou menm y'ap voye jete, se mwen menm menm y'ap voye jete. Yo pa vle m' pou wa yo ankò.

Depi lè mwen te fè yo soti kite peyi Lejip la, se sa ase y'ap fè m'. Y'ap vire do ban mwen, y'ap sèvi lòt bondye. Se menm bagay la y'ap fè ou jòdi a tou.

Se poutèt sa, koute sa y'ap di ou. Tansèlman, avèti yo pou mwen. Tou fè yo konnen ki jan yon wa pral boule ak yo.

10 Samyèl rapòte bay pèp la ki t'ap mande yon wa a tout pawòl Seyè a te di l'.

11 Li di yo: -Men ki jan wa a pral boule ak nou: Li pral pran pitit gason nou yo pou fè yo sèvi nan lame li a. Genyen ki pral aprann moute cha, gen lòt ki pral aprann moute chwal pou fè lagè. Genyen ki pral sèvi gad kò li pou kouri devan pwòp cha pa li.

12 L'ap pran ladan yo pou mete chèf sou mil (1000) sòlda ak chèf sou senkant sòlda. Se yo ki pral pare tè nan jaden wa a pou li, se yo ki pral ranmase rekòt li yo pou li. Se yo ki pral fè zam pou li ak lòt lekipay l'ap bezwen pou cha lagè l' yo.

13 L'ap pran pitit fi nou yo pou fè odè, pou fè manje ak pou fè pen pou li.

14 L'ap pran pi bon jaden nou yo, pi bon jaden rezen nou yo, pi bon jaden oliv nou yo, l'a bay moun k'ap sèvi l' yo.

15 L'ap pran yon dizyèm sou tout rekòt danre nou yo ak sou tout rekòt pye rezen nou yo pou l' bay moun konfyans li yo ak lòt moun k'ap sèvi anndan lakay li.

16 L'ap pran pi bon domestik nou yo ak pi bon sèvant nou yo, pi bon bèf nou yo ak pi bon bourik nou yo pou fè yo travay pou li.

17 L'ap pran yon mouton pou chak dis mouton n'a genyen. Lèfini, l'ap fè nou tounen esklav li.

18 Jou sa a, n'a rele anmwe pou wa nou an, wa nou menm n' ava chwazi a. Men lè sa a, Seyè a p'ap okipe nou.

19 Pèp la te derefize koute Samyèl. Yo t'ap di: -Non! Se yon wa nou vle pou gouvènen nou,

20 pou nou kapab menm jan ak tout lòt nasyon yo. Wa nou an va gouvènen nou, l'a mache alatèt lame nou lè nou pral nan lagè, l'a mennen batay nou pou nou.

21 Samyèl tande tou sa pèp la t'ap di. L' ale rapòte yo bay Seyè a.

22 Lè sa a, Seyè a reponn li: -Ou mèt fè sa yo di a. Ba yo yon wa pou gouvènen yo. Epi Samyèl di moun pèp Izrayèl yo: -Tout moun mèt tounen lakay yo.

And Samuel’s word came to all Israel.

The Philistines Capture the Ark

Now the Israelites went out to fight against the Philistines. The Israelites camped at Ebenezer,(A) and the Philistines at Aphek.(B) The Philistines deployed their forces to meet Israel, and as the battle spread, Israel was defeated by the Philistines, who killed about four thousand of them on the battlefield. When the soldiers returned to camp, the elders of Israel asked, “Why(C) did the Lord bring defeat on us today before the Philistines? Let us bring the ark(D) of the Lord’s covenant from Shiloh,(E) so that he may go with us(F) and save us from the hand of our enemies.”

So the people sent men to Shiloh, and they brought back the ark of the covenant of the Lord Almighty, who is enthroned between the cherubim.(G) And Eli’s two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, were there with the ark of the covenant of God.

When the ark of the Lord’s covenant came into the camp, all Israel raised such a great shout(H) that the ground shook. Hearing the uproar, the Philistines asked, “What’s all this shouting in the Hebrew(I) camp?”

When they learned that the ark of the Lord had come into the camp, the Philistines were afraid.(J) “A god has[a] come into the camp,” they said. “Oh no! Nothing like this has happened before. We’re doomed! Who will deliver us from the hand of these mighty gods? They are the gods who struck(K) the Egyptians with all kinds of plagues(L) in the wilderness. Be strong, Philistines! Be men, or you will be subject to the Hebrews, as they(M) have been to you. Be men, and fight!”

10 So the Philistines fought, and the Israelites were defeated(N) and every man fled to his tent. The slaughter was very great; Israel lost thirty thousand foot soldiers. 11 The ark of God was captured, and Eli’s two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, died.(O)

Death of Eli

12 That same day a Benjamite(P) ran from the battle line and went to Shiloh with his clothes torn and dust(Q) on his head. 13 When he arrived, there was Eli(R) sitting on his chair by the side of the road, watching, because his heart feared for the ark of God. When the man entered the town and told what had happened, the whole town sent up a cry.

14 Eli heard the outcry and asked, “What is the meaning of this uproar?”

The man hurried over to Eli, 15 who was ninety-eight years old and whose eyes(S) had failed so that he could not see. 16 He told Eli, “I have just come from the battle line; I fled from it this very day.”

Eli asked, “What happened, my son?”

17 The man who brought the news replied, “Israel fled before the Philistines, and the army has suffered heavy losses. Also your two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, are dead,(T) and the ark of God has been captured.”(U)

18 When he mentioned the ark of God, Eli fell backward off his chair by the side of the gate. His neck was broken and he died, for he was an old man, and he was heavy. He had led[b](V) Israel forty years.(W)

19 His daughter-in-law, the wife of Phinehas, was pregnant and near the time of delivery. When she heard the news that the ark of God had been captured and that her father-in-law and her husband were dead, she went into labor and gave birth, but was overcome by her labor pains. 20 As she was dying, the women attending her said, “Don’t despair; you have given birth to a son.” But she did not respond or pay any attention.

21 She named the boy Ichabod,[c](X) saying, “The Glory(Y) has departed from Israel”—because of the capture of the ark of God and the deaths of her father-in-law and her husband. 22 She said, “The Glory(Z) has departed from Israel, for the ark of God has been captured.”(AA)

The Ark in Ashdod and Ekron

After the Philistines had captured the ark of God, they took it from Ebenezer(AB) to Ashdod.(AC) Then they carried the ark into Dagon’s temple and set it beside Dagon.(AD) When the people of Ashdod rose early the next day, there was Dagon, fallen(AE) on his face on the ground before the ark of the Lord! They took Dagon and put him back in his place. But the following morning when they rose, there was Dagon, fallen on his face on the ground before the ark of the Lord! His head and hands had been broken(AF) off and were lying on the threshold; only his body remained. That is why to this day neither the priests of Dagon nor any others who enter Dagon’s temple at Ashdod step on the threshold.(AG)

The Lord’s hand(AH) was heavy on the people of Ashdod and its vicinity; he brought devastation(AI) on them and afflicted them with tumors.[d](AJ) When the people of Ashdod saw what was happening, they said, “The ark of the god of Israel must not stay here with us, because his hand is heavy on us and on Dagon our god.” So they called together all the rulers(AK) of the Philistines and asked them, “What shall we do with the ark of the god of Israel?”

They answered, “Have the ark of the god of Israel moved to Gath.(AL)” So they moved the ark of the God of Israel.

But after they had moved it, the Lord’s hand was against that city, throwing it into a great panic.(AM) He afflicted the people of the city, both young and old, with an outbreak of tumors.[e] 10 So they sent the ark of God to Ekron.(AN)

As the ark of God was entering Ekron, the people of Ekron cried out, “They have brought the ark of the god of Israel around to us to kill us and our people.” 11 So they called together all the rulers(AO) of the Philistines and said, “Send the ark of the god of Israel away; let it go back to its own place, or it[f] will kill us and our people.” For death had filled the city with panic; God’s hand was very heavy on it. 12 Those who did not die(AP) were afflicted with tumors, and the outcry of the city went up to heaven.

The Ark Returned to Israel

When the ark of the Lord had been in Philistine territory seven months, the Philistines called for the priests and the diviners(AQ) and said, “What shall we do with the ark of the Lord? Tell us how we should send it back to its place.”

They answered, “If you return the ark of the god of Israel, do not send it back to him without a gift;(AR) by all means send a guilt offering(AS) to him. Then you will be healed, and you will know why his hand(AT) has not been lifted from you.”

The Philistines asked, “What guilt offering should we send to him?”

They replied, “Five gold tumors and five gold rats, according to the number(AU) of the Philistine rulers, because the same plague(AV) has struck both you and your rulers. Make models of the tumors(AW) and of the rats that are destroying the country, and give glory(AX) to Israel’s god. Perhaps he will lift his hand from you and your gods and your land. Why do you harden(AY) your hearts as the Egyptians and Pharaoh did? When Israel’s god dealt harshly with them,(AZ) did they(BA) not send the Israelites out so they could go on their way?

“Now then, get a new cart(BB) ready, with two cows that have calved and have never been yoked.(BC) Hitch the cows to the cart, but take their calves away and pen them up. Take the ark of the Lord and put it on the cart, and in a chest beside it put the gold objects you are sending back to him as a guilt offering. Send it on its way, but keep watching it. If it goes up to its own territory, toward Beth Shemesh,(BD) then the Lord has brought this great disaster on us. But if it does not, then we will know that it was not his hand that struck us but that it happened to us by chance.”

10 So they did this. They took two such cows and hitched them to the cart and penned up their calves. 11 They placed the ark of the Lord on the cart and along with it the chest containing the gold rats and the models of the tumors. 12 Then the cows went straight up toward Beth Shemesh, keeping on the road and lowing all the way; they did not turn to the right or to the left. The rulers of the Philistines followed them as far as the border of Beth Shemesh.

13 Now the people of Beth Shemesh were harvesting their wheat(BE) in the valley, and when they looked up and saw the ark, they rejoiced at the sight. 14 The cart came to the field of Joshua of Beth Shemesh, and there it stopped beside a large rock. The people chopped up the wood of the cart and sacrificed the cows as a burnt offering(BF) to the Lord. 15 The Levites(BG) took down the ark of the Lord, together with the chest containing the gold objects, and placed them on the large rock.(BH) On that day the people of Beth Shemesh(BI) offered burnt offerings and made sacrifices to the Lord. 16 The five rulers of the Philistines saw all this and then returned that same day to Ekron.

17 These are the gold tumors the Philistines sent as a guilt offering to the Lord—one each(BJ) for Ashdod, Gaza, Ashkelon, Gath and Ekron. 18 And the number of the gold rats was according to the number of Philistine towns belonging to the five rulers—the fortified towns with their country villages. The large rock on which the Levites set the ark of the Lord is a witness to this day in the field of Joshua of Beth Shemesh.

19 But God struck down(BK) some of the inhabitants of Beth Shemesh, putting seventy[g] of them to death because they looked(BL) into the ark of the Lord. The people mourned because of the heavy blow the Lord had dealt them. 20 And the people of Beth Shemesh asked, “Who can stand(BM) in the presence of the Lord, this holy(BN) God? To whom will the ark go up from here?”

21 Then they sent messengers to the people of Kiriath Jearim,(BO) saying, “The Philistines have returned the ark of the Lord. Come down and take it up to your town.” So the men of Kiriath Jearim came and took up the ark(BP) of the Lord. They brought it to Abinadab’s(BQ) house on the hill and consecrated Eleazar his son to guard the ark of the Lord. The ark remained at Kiriath Jearim(BR) a long time—twenty years in all.

Samuel Subdues the Philistines at Mizpah

Then all the people of Israel turned back to the Lord.(BS) So Samuel said to all the Israelites, “If you are returning(BT) to the Lord with all your hearts, then rid(BU) yourselves of the foreign gods and the Ashtoreths(BV) and commit(BW) yourselves to the Lord and serve him only,(BX) and he will deliver(BY) you out of the hand of the Philistines.” So the Israelites put away their Baals and Ashtoreths, and served the Lord only.

Then Samuel(BZ) said, “Assemble all Israel at Mizpah,(CA) and I will intercede(CB) with the Lord for you.” When they had assembled at Mizpah,(CC) they drew water and poured(CD) it out before the Lord. On that day they fasted and there they confessed, “We have sinned against the Lord.” Now Samuel was serving as leader[h](CE) of Israel at Mizpah.

When the Philistines heard that Israel had assembled at Mizpah, the rulers of the Philistines came up to attack them. When the Israelites heard of it, they were afraid(CF) because of the Philistines. They said to Samuel, “Do not stop crying(CG) out to the Lord our God for us, that he may rescue us from the hand of the Philistines.” Then Samuel(CH) took a suckling lamb and sacrificed it as a whole burnt offering to the Lord. He cried out to the Lord on Israel’s behalf, and the Lord answered him.(CI)

10 While Samuel was sacrificing the burnt offering, the Philistines drew near to engage Israel in battle. But that day the Lord thundered(CJ) with loud thunder against the Philistines and threw them into such a panic(CK) that they were routed before the Israelites. 11 The men of Israel rushed out of Mizpah and pursued the Philistines, slaughtering them along the way to a point below Beth Kar.

12 Then Samuel took a stone(CL) and set it up between Mizpah and Shen. He named it Ebenezer,[i](CM) saying, “Thus far the Lord has helped us.”

13 So the Philistines were subdued(CN) and they stopped invading Israel’s territory. Throughout Samuel’s lifetime, the hand of the Lord was against the Philistines. 14 The towns from Ekron(CO) to Gath that the Philistines had captured from Israel were restored to Israel, and Israel delivered the neighboring territory from the hands of the Philistines. And there was peace between Israel and the Amorites.(CP)

15 Samuel(CQ) continued as Israel’s leader(CR) all(CS) the days of his life. 16 From year to year he went on a circuit from Bethel(CT) to Gilgal(CU) to Mizpah, judging(CV) Israel in all those places. 17 But he always went back to Ramah,(CW) where his home was, and there he also held court(CX) for Israel. And he built an altar(CY) there to the Lord.

Israel Asks for a King

When Samuel grew old, he appointed(CZ) his sons as Israel’s leaders.[j] The name of his firstborn was Joel and the name of his second was Abijah,(DA) and they served at Beersheba.(DB) But his sons(DC) did not follow his ways. They turned aside(DD) after dishonest gain and accepted bribes(DE) and perverted(DF) justice.

So all the elders(DG) of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah.(DH) They said to him, “You are old, and your sons do not follow your ways; now appoint a king(DI) to lead[k](DJ) us, such as all the other nations(DK) have.”

But when they said, “Give us a king(DL) to lead us,” this displeased(DM) Samuel; so he prayed to the Lord. And the Lord told him: “Listen(DN) to all that the people are saying to you; it is not you they have rejected,(DO) but they have rejected me as their king.(DP) As they have done from the day I brought them up out of Egypt until this day, forsaking(DQ) me and serving other gods, so they are doing to you. Now listen to them; but warn them solemnly and let them know(DR) what the king who will reign over them will claim as his rights.”

10 Samuel told(DS) all the words of the Lord to the people who were asking him for a king. 11 He said, “This is what the king who will reign over you will claim as his rights: He will take(DT) your sons and make them serve(DU) with his chariots and horses, and they will run in front of his chariots.(DV) 12 Some he will assign to be commanders(DW) of thousands and commanders of fifties, and others to plow his ground and reap his harvest, and still others to make weapons of war and equipment for his chariots. 13 He will take your daughters to be perfumers and cooks and bakers. 14 He will take the best of your(DX) fields and vineyards(DY) and olive groves and give them to his attendants.(DZ) 15 He will take a tenth(EA) of your grain and of your vintage and give it to his officials and attendants. 16 Your male and female servants and the best of your cattle[l] and donkeys he will take for his own use. 17 He will take a tenth of your flocks, and you yourselves will become his slaves. 18 When that day comes, you will cry out for relief from the king you have chosen, but the Lord will not answer(EB) you in that day.(EC)

19 But the people refused(ED) to listen to Samuel. “No!” they said. “We want(EE) a king(EF) over us. 20 Then we will be like all the other nations,(EG) with a king to lead us and to go out before us and fight our battles.”

21 When Samuel heard all that the people said, he repeated(EH) it before the Lord. 22 The Lord answered, “Listen(EI) to them and give them a king.”

Then Samuel said to the Israelites, “Everyone go back to your own town.”

Footnotes

  1. 1 Samuel 4:7 Or “Gods have (see Septuagint)
  2. 1 Samuel 4:18 Traditionally judged
  3. 1 Samuel 4:21 Ichabod means no glory.
  4. 1 Samuel 5:6 Hebrew; Septuagint and Vulgate tumors. And rats appeared in their land, and there was death and destruction throughout the city
  5. 1 Samuel 5:9 Or with tumors in the groin (see Septuagint)
  6. 1 Samuel 5:11 Or he
  7. 1 Samuel 6:19 A few Hebrew manuscripts; most Hebrew manuscripts and Septuagint 50,070
  8. 1 Samuel 7:6 Traditionally judge; also in verse 15
  9. 1 Samuel 7:12 Ebenezer means stone of help.
  10. 1 Samuel 8:1 Traditionally judges
  11. 1 Samuel 8:5 Traditionally judge; also in verses 6 and 20
  12. 1 Samuel 8:16 Septuagint; Hebrew young men