Matthew Poole and continuators on 1 Samuel 4:1

AND the word of Samuel came to all Israel. Now Israel went out against the Philistines to battel, and pitched beside Eben-ezer : and the Philistines pitched in Aphek .

i. e. The Word of the Lord revealed to Samuel, and by him to the People; Either, First, The Prophetical Word mentioned before, chap. 3. 11, &c. which is here said to come, or to come to pass, as it was foretold, to all Israel. But the subject of that Prophesie was not all Israel, but Eli and his House, as is evident. Or rather, Secondly, A Word of command, that all Israel should go forth to Fight with the Philistines, as the following Words explain it, that so they might be first humbled and punished for their Sins, and so prepared by degrees for their future Deliverance.

Or, to meet the Philistines, who having by this time recruited themselves after their great loss by Sampson, Iudg. 16. 30. and perceiving an eminent Prophet arising among them, by whom they were likely to be United, Counselled and Assisted, thought fit to Suppress them in the beginning of their Hopes and Designs of Rescuing themselves from their power.

A place so called here (by Anticipation) from a following event, chap. 7. 12.

A City so called in the Tribe of Iudah, Ios. 15. 53. upon the Borders of the Philistines Country: not that Aphek in Asher, Ios. 19. 30. Iudg. 1. 31. which was very remote from them.

Marginal references: Or, came to p[illegible: 1+ letters]ss.; Heb. [illegible: 1 word] ▪