1 Samuel 4 9

1 Samuel 4:9 kjv

Be strong and quit yourselves like men, O ye Philistines, that ye be not servants unto the Hebrews, as they have been to you: quit yourselves like men, and fight.

1 Samuel 4:9 nkjv

Be strong and conduct yourselves like men, you Philistines, that you do not become servants of the Hebrews, as they have been to you. Conduct yourselves like men, and fight!"

1 Samuel 4:9 niv

Be strong, Philistines! Be men, or you will be subject to the Hebrews, as they have been to you. Be men, and fight!"

1 Samuel 4:9 esv

Take courage, and be men, O Philistines, lest you become slaves to the Hebrews as they have been to you; be men and fight."

1 Samuel 4:9 nlt

Fight as never before, Philistines! If you don't, we will become the Hebrews' slaves just as they have been ours! Stand up like men and fight!"

1 Samuel 4 verses

1 Samuel 4 9 Meaning

This verse is a fervent battle cry from the Philistine commanders to their soldiers, urging them to exhibit extreme courage and strength in the face of the approaching Israelites who bear the Ark of the Covenant. The central motivation presented is the fear of becoming slaves to the Hebrews, a humiliating reversal of their current dominant status, as the Hebrews had previously been subservient to the Philistines. It is a desperate exhortation for valor and fierce combat to avoid such a shameful fate.

1 Samuel 4 9 Context

Chapter 4 opens with Israel engaging the Philistines in battle, suffering an initial defeat where about four thousand men were killed. In their human wisdom, the Israelite elders decided to bring the Ark of the Covenant from Shiloh to the battle camp, believing its presence would guarantee victory, viewing it as a good-luck charm or a magical protective device rather than a symbol of God's holy presence contingent on their faithfulness. When the Ark arrived, Israel let out a great shout of joy. Hearing the shouts and learning the Ark was among the Israelites, the Philistines became terrified, recognizing the power of the "Gods" who struck Egypt. This verse, 1 Samuel 4:9, is the urgent, desperate command issued by the Philistine commanders to rally their troops, counteracting their initial terror with a potent mixture of fear, pride, and pragmatic resolve. Historically, the Philistines were a powerful Sea Peoples group, well-organized and technologically superior, especially in iron metallurgy, dominating the coastal plains. This battle represents a critical clash for regional supremacy during Israel's period of Judges, marked by spiritual decline under Eli's corrupted sons, Hophni and Phinehas.

1 Samuel 4 9 Word analysis

• Be strong (חִזְקוּ - chizqu):
  • Meaning: "To be firm, strong, secure; to grasp, hold fast." It's a command for physical and mental steadfastness, particularly in the face of adversity.
  • Significance: This imperative conveys an urgent call for courage and resilience on the battlefield, reflecting a critical moment where all relies on their fighting spirit. It stands in contrast to the earlier panic of the Philistines.
• and show yourselves to be men (וְהִתְאַשָּׁשׁוּ - v'hit'ashashu):
  • Meaning: From the root 'ish' (אִישׁ - man). Literally, "make yourselves men," "act like men," or "behave with courage appropriate to men."
  • Significance: In ancient cultures, manhood was strongly tied to courage, honor, and valor in warfare. This command appeals to their masculine pride and the societal expectation that men would fight valiantly, reinforcing the shame of potential defeat and enslavement.
• O Philistines (פְּלִשְׁתִּים - Plishtim):
  • Significance: The direct address to their national identity serves as a powerful reminder of what is at stake for their people, emphasizing collective honor and destiny.
• lest you become slaves to the Hebrews (פֶּן תֵּעָבְדוּ לָעִבְרִים - pen te'avdu la'ivrim):
  • Meaning: "Lest you serve/be enslaved to the Hebrews."
  • Significance: This is the primary negative motivator. Slavery was the worst possible outcome for a defeated people, entailing loss of land, freedom, and honor. It speaks to a deep, primal fear.
  • Polemics: This Philistine motivation for battle is entirely pragmatic and earthly, driven by self-preservation, fear of reversal of fortunes, and societal status. It lacks any appeal to their own gods, highlighting their secular resolve compared to Israel's nominal, superstitious reliance on God's Ark without true obedience.
• as they have been slaves to you (כַּאֲשֶׁר עָבְדוּ לָכֶם - ka'asher avdu lakhem):
  • Meaning: "As they have served you" or "as they have been slaves to you."
  • Significance: This phrase grounds the current fear in recent history. The Philistines had previously subjugated parts of Israel (e.g., during Samson's time or the era just prior), making the potential reversal a particularly bitter prospect and a potent call to defend their established dominance.
• Be men, and fight! (הִתְאַשָּׁשׁוּ וְנִלְחָמוּ - hit'ashashu v'nilkhamu):
  • Meaning: "Act like men and fight/wage war."
  • Significance: This is a direct, emphatic repetition of the call to manliness from the beginning of the verse, immediately followed by the ultimate command to engage in combat. The repetition underscores the extreme urgency and direness of their situation.

1 Samuel 4 9 Bonus section

The Philistines' battle cry, born out of existential fear, reveals a deep understanding of power dynamics in the ancient Near East: conqueror and conquered. Their fear, however, paradoxically fuels a courage that surpasses the dispirited Israelites, whose false security in the Ark led them to complacency. This demonstrates that God can allow even His disobedient people to be defeated by a seemingly "weaker" (in divine favor) foe, proving that His presence is not manipulated by symbols, but by covenant faithfulness. This also hints at a broader polemic in the Bible against attributing automatic power to religious objects or symbols, apart from the living God Himself. The Philistines' response is a natural human reaction to a threat; Israel's response (in chapter 4) is a perversion of true faith.

1 Samuel 4 9 Commentary

This verse encapsulates the purely human, geopolitical dimension of the battle. The Philistine leaders motivate their troops not through divine pronouncements from Dagon, but through potent, earthly appeals: courage, national honor, and the visceral fear of servitude. The initial panic caused by the Ark quickly transformed into desperate resolve. They leverage their fear of humiliation and the historical reality of their dominance over Israel. This pragmatic, "fight-or-be-enslaved" mentality contrasts sharply with Israel's mistaken reliance on a religious artifact without true faith or repentance. Ironically, this earthly, fear-driven determination on the Philistine side leads to their victory, highlighting that God does not bless ritualistic behavior when hearts are disobedient. It underlines that physical courage and strength can be found in any people, but true divine favor depends on faithful relationship, not superstitious ritual.