English (YLT) 1898 Young's Literal Translation by Robert Young
1 Samuel 4:2 — English (YLT) 1898 Young's Literal Translation by Robert Young
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.
What Does This Mean?
This verse describes a battle between the Israelites and the Philistines. The Philistines won, and about four thousand Israelite soldiers were killed. It shows that Israel was defeated.
Explained for Children
Imagine two teams playing a big game of tag. The Israelite team got tagged a lot by the Philistine team. About four thousand players from the Israelite team got tagged and had to sit out.
Historical Background
The Book of 1 Samuel was written by Samuel, Nathan, and Gad, around 931 BC. It was written for the Israelites to understand their history and the consequences of their actions, set in a time when warfare was common and tribal alliances were crucial.
Living It Out Today
Just as the Israelites suffered a defeat in this battle, we can face setbacks in life. This can teach us the importance of humility and learning from our mistakes rather than giving up.
