And the word of Samuelcame to all Israel. Now Israelwent out against the Philistines to battle, and pitchedbesideEbenezer: and the Philistinespitched in Aphek.
And the Philistines put themselves in arrayagainstIsrael: and whentheyjoinedbattle, Israel was smittenbefore the Philistines: and theyslew of the army in the fieldaboutfourthousand men.
And when the peoplewerecomeinto the camp, the elders of Israelsaid, Whereforehath the LORDsmitten us to day before the Philistines? Let us fetch the ark of the covenant of the LORD out of Shilohunto us, that, when it comethamong us, it may save us out of the hand of our enemies.
So the peoplesent to Shiloh, thattheymightbringfromthence the ark of the covenant of the LORD of hosts, whichdwellethbetween the cherubims: and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, weretherewith the ark of the covenant of God.
And when the Philistinesheard the noise of the shout, theysaid, Whatmeaneth the noise of thisgreatshout in the camp of the Hebrews? And theyunderstoodthat the ark of the LORD was comeinto the camp.
Be strong, and quityourselveslike men, O ye Philistines, that ye be not servantsunto the Hebrews, as theyhavebeen to you: quityourselveslike men, and fight.
And the Philistinesfought, and Israel was smitten, and theyfledevery man into his tent: and there was a verygreatslaughter; for therefell of Israelthirtythousandfootmen.
And when he came, lo, Eli sat upon a seat by the waysidewatching: for his hearttrembled for the ark of God. And when the man cameinto the city, and told it, all the citycried out.
And the messengeranswered and said, Israel is fledbefore the Philistines, and therehathbeenalso a greatslaughteramong the people, and thy two sonsalso, Hophni and Phinehas, are dead, and the ark of God is taken.
And it came to pass, when he mademention of the ark of God, that he fellfrom off the seatbackward by the side of the gate, and his neckbrake, and he died: for he was an old man, and heavy. And he had judgedIsraelfortyyears.
And his daughter in law, Phinehas’wife, was withchild, near to be delivered: and when she heard the tidingsthat the ark of God was taken, and that her father in law and her husbandweredead, she bowedherself and travailed; for her painscameupon her.
And about the time of her death the womenthatstood by her saidunto her, Fear not; for thouhastborne a son. But she answered not, neither did she regard it.
And she named the childIchabod, saying, The glory is departedfromIsrael: because the ark of God was taken, and because of her father in law and her husband.