Woe to us!This expression of despair reflects the Philistines' fear and recognition of impending doom. In the ancient Near Eastern context, such an exclamation indicates a deep sense of foreboding and helplessness. The Philistines, despite their military prowess, are acknowledging a power greater than their own, which is significant given their usual confidence in battle.
Who will deliver us from the hand of these mighty gods?
The Philistines refer to the God of Israel as "mighty gods," indicating their polytheistic worldview and misunderstanding of the monotheistic nature of Yahweh. This phrase highlights their fear of divine intervention, as they recognize the power of the God of Israel, albeit through a pagan lens. The "hand" symbolizes power and control, suggesting that they feel trapped and overpowered by a force they cannot comprehend or resist.
These are the gods who struck the Egyptians
This reference to the plagues in Egypt shows the lasting impact of the Exodus narrative on surrounding nations. The Philistines are aware of the historical events where God demonstrated His power over Egypt, the superpower of the time. This acknowledgment serves as a testament to the enduring reputation of God's might and the fear it instilled in Israel's enemies.
with all kinds of plagues
The mention of "all kinds of plagues" recalls the ten plagues that God sent upon Egypt, as recorded in the book of Exodus. These plagues were a demonstration of God's supremacy over the Egyptian gods and a pivotal moment in Israel's history. The Philistines' awareness of these events underscores the widespread knowledge of God's past acts of judgment and deliverance.
in the wilderness.
The term "wilderness" refers to the period of Israel's journey from Egypt to the Promised Land, a time marked by God's provision and guidance. This phrase may also reflect the Philistines' understanding of the Israelites' God as one who operates beyond the confines of settled lands, emphasizing His sovereignty over all creation. The wilderness period is a significant part of Israel's identity, symbolizing both trial and divine faithfulness.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
PhilistinesA group of people who were enemies of Israel and often at war with them. In this passage, they express fear upon hearing about the Ark of the Covenant.
2.
IsraelitesThe chosen people of God, who are in conflict with the Philistines. They have brought the Ark of the Covenant into battle, hoping for victory.
3.
Ark of the CovenantA sacred chest that held the tablets of the Ten Commandments, representing God's presence with Israel. Its presence in the camp of Israel caused fear among the Philistines.
4.
EgyptiansReferred to in the Philistines' exclamation, they were the people who suffered plagues from God during the time of Moses, leading to the Exodus.
5.
Plagues in the WildernessThe Philistines recall the plagues God sent upon Egypt, demonstrating His power and judgment.
Teaching Points
Understanding God's PowerThe Philistines recognized the power of God, even if they misunderstood Him as multiple gods. We should acknowledge God's supreme power in our lives.
Fear of the LordThe fear expressed by the Philistines can remind us of the importance of having a reverent fear of God, recognizing His authority and might.
Misplaced TrustThe Israelites placed their trust in the Ark as a talisman rather than in God Himself. We must ensure our faith is in God, not in symbols or rituals.
God's SovereigntyDespite the Philistines' fear, God’s plans are sovereign. We should trust in His ultimate control over all situations.
Historical AwarenessThe Philistines' knowledge of past events (the plagues) shows the importance of understanding history to comprehend God's work. We should study biblical history to strengthen our faith.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of 1 Samuel 4:8?
2.How does 1 Samuel 4:8 illustrate the fear of God's power among enemies?
3.What lessons can we learn from the Philistines' reaction to Israel's God?
4.How does this verse connect to God's deliverance in Exodus?
5.How can we apply the Philistines' fear of God to our daily lives?
6.What does 1 Samuel 4:8 teach about recognizing God's authority and sovereignty?
7.Why did the Philistines fear the God of Israel in 1 Samuel 4:8?
8.How does 1 Samuel 4:8 reflect the power of God over other nations?
9.What historical events led to the Philistines' fear in 1 Samuel 4:8?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from 1 Samuel 4?
11.What evidence supports the occurrence of the Ten Plagues?
12.Exodus 8:2-4: How could millions of frogs suddenly appear everywhere without leaving clear historical or scientific evidence?
13.(Psalm 24:1) If the entire world belongs to the Lord, how do we reconcile this with the existence of other deities in different religious traditions?
14.What does it mean that God is my helper?What Does 1 Samuel 4:8 Mean
Woe to us!“Woe to us!” (1 Samuel 4:8a) erupts from Philistine lips the moment they hear that the Ark of the Covenant has entered Israel’s camp.
• The cry signals sheer panic. InJoshua 2:9-11 Rahab describes how surrounding peoples “melted in fear” when they heard what the LORD did at the Red Sea; that same dread now seizes the Philistines.
• It is a confession that human strength cannot stand against the God who “shook the earth” at Sinai (Exodus 19:16-18) and who made “nations tremble” (Deuteronomy 2:25).
• Their instinctive dread underscores a timeless truth: when God is present, His enemies know it, even if His own people often forget (Psalm 106:21).
Who will deliver us from the hand of these mighty gods?“Who will deliver us…?” (1 Samuel 4:8b) exposes two realities.
• The Philistines think in polytheistic terms—“gods,” plural—yet they still grasp that Israel’s God is unbeatable. InExodus 15:11 Moses sings, “Who among the gods is like You, O LORD?”; the answer is “no one.”
• Their question echoes the universal human dilemma: deliverance must come from outside ourselves.Isaiah 43:11 declares, “I, yes I, am the LORD, and there is no Savior but Me.” Even pagan lips, in crisis, unwittingly point to that exclusivity.
• Their words also anticipate the fuller revelation of deliverance found inActs 4:12: “There is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.”
These are the gods who struck the Egyptians with all kinds of plagues in the wilderness.“These are the gods who struck the Egyptians with all kinds of plagues…” (1 Samuel 4:8c).
• The Philistines recall a literal, historical series of plagues (Exodus 7-12). Though they misplace the geography—plagues fell on Egypt, not “in the wilderness”—their memory shows how far God’s fame had traveled (Joshua 9:9).
• Each plague was a judgment on a specific Egyptian deity, proving the LORD alone is God (Exodus 12:12). That showdown still resonates generations later, warning all nations.
• The Philistines fear becoming Egypt 2.0. Ironically, their own later plague—tumors and rats after capturing the Ark (1 Samuel 6:4-5)—confirms that the God of the Exodus still acts in history.
summary1 Samuel 4:8 captures unbelieving voices testifying to the living God’s unmatched power. Their alarm (“Woe to us!”), their search for a rescuer (“Who will deliver us…?”), and their remembrance of the Exodus plagues all spotlight the LORD’s historical, unstoppable sovereignty. Even pagans recognize that no force can prevail against the God who once shattered Egypt—and who still defends His name and His people today.
(8)
These are the Gods that smote the Egyptians.--No doubt the compiler of these "Memoirs of Samuel" has given us the very words of the Philistines, preserved in their national traditions of this sad time. They are the expression of idolaters who knew of "Gods" and dreaded their malevolent influence, but who had no conception of the One Most High God. The plural form Elohim, so often found in the sacred record for God, is used here; but whereas the inspired compilers would have written
theirqualifying adjective in the singular, the Philistine idolaters write
theirsin the plural--
Elohim addirim:Mighty Gods.
It is noticeable that the Philistine exclamation of awe and terror is based outwardly upon the Egyptian traditions of the acts of the Lord. They studiedly ignore what they were all in that camp painfully conscious of--His acts in their own land of Canaan. The Septuagint and Syriac Versions, and some commentators, add "and" before the words "in the wilderness," to make the Philistine exclamation more in harmony with history, seeing that the plagues were inflictedbeforethe Israelites entered the wilderness; but the very vagueness of the exclamation of fear speaks for its truth. They were little concerned with exact historical accuracy, and were simply conscious of some terrible judgment having fallen on the foes of this Israel, a judgment they not unnaturally connected with the Ark of the Covenant just arrived in the enemy's camp: that Ark their ancestors remembered so often at the head of the armies of this Israel in their days of triumph.
Verse 8. -
These mighty Gods. In Hebrew
"Elohim, though plural, is used of the one true God, but in this sense has always the verb or adjective belonging to it in the singular. In ver. 7 the Philistines conform to this rule, and say,
Elohim is come; but here the verb, pronoun, and adjective are all plural,
i.e. they speak as heathen, to whom polytheism was natural (comp.
1 Kings 12:28).
With all the plagues. Rather, "with every plague,"
i.e. with every kind of plague.
In the wilderness. God did not really smite the Egyptians in the wilderness. The plagues, including the destruction of Pharaoh and his host in the Red Sea, had all happened before the Israelites had entered it. But probably the Philistines confused together the plagues of Egypt and the miracles in the wilderness, and even the conquest of Canaan, in one grand but vague whole, and so were ready to give way to despair, as they called to mind the traditions they had heard of these mighty interpositions of God for his people.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
Woeא֣וֹי(’ō·w)Interjection
Strong's 188:Lamentation, Oh!to us!לָ֔נוּ(lā·nū)Preposition | first person common plural
Strong's HebrewWhoמִ֣י(mî)Interrogative
Strong's 4310:Who?, whoever, in oblique construction with prefix, suffixwill deliver usיַצִּילֵ֔נוּ(yaṣ·ṣî·lê·nū)Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine singular | first person common plural
Strong's 5337:To strip, plunder, deliver oneself, be delivered, snatch away, deliverfrom the handמִיַּ֛ד(mî·yaḏ)Preposition-m | Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 3027:A handof theseהָאֵ֑לֶּה(hā·’êl·leh)Article | Pronoun - common plural
Strong's 428:These, thosemightyהָאַדִּירִ֖ים(hā·’ad·dî·rîm)Article | Adjective - masculine plural
Strong's 117:Wide, large, powerfulgods?הָאֱלֹהִ֥ים(hā·’ĕ·lō·hîm)Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 430:gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlativeTheseאֵ֧לֶּה(’êl·leh)Pronoun - common plural
Strong's 428:These, thoseare the godsהָאֱלֹהִ֗ים(hā·’ĕ·lō·hîm)Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 430:gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlativewho struckהַמַּכִּ֧ים(ham·mak·kîm)Article | Verb - Hifil - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 5221:To strikethe Egyptiansמִצְרַ֛יִם(miṣ·ra·yim)Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 4714:Egypt -- a son of Ham, also his descendants and their country in Northwest Africawith all kindsבְּכָל־(bə·ḵāl)Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605:The whole, all, any, everyof plaguesמַכָּ֖ה(mak·kāh)Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 4347:A wound, carnage, pestilencein the wilderness.בַּמִּדְבָּֽר׃(bam·miḏ·bār)Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4057:A pasture, a desert, speech
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OT History: 1 Samuel 4:8 Woe to us! (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa) 
