1 Samuel 4 records the day the ark of the covenant fell to the Philistines, Eli’s sons were killed, and a dying mother named her son Ichabod - “the glory has departed from Israel.”

Full sung version coming soon.

Lyrics

Israel went out against the Philistines to battle They encamped beside Ebenezer The Philistines encamped in Aphek

The Philistines put themselves in array against Israel When they joined battle Israel was defeated by the Philistines Four thousand men of the army fell in the field

When the people came into the camp The elders of Israel said, Why has the LORD defeated us Let us bring the ark of the LORD’s covenant That it may come and save us from our enemies

The ark was brought into the camp All Israel shouted with a great shout The earth resounded

Woe to us Who shall deliver us out of the hand of these mighty gods These are the gods that struck the Egyptians With all kinds of plagues in the wilderness

The Philistines fought and Israel was defeated Each man fled to his tent There was a very great slaughter Thirty thousand footmen of Israel fell

The ark of God was taken The two sons of Eli were slain Hophni and Phinehas, both dead The glory has departed from Israel

A man of Benjamin ran out of the army With his clothes torn and dirt on his head He said to Eli, Israel has fled before the Philistines Your two sons are dead and the ark is captured

The glory has departed The glory has departed from Israel God’s ark has been taken The glory has departed

She named the child Ichabod Saying, The glory has departed from Israel

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1 Samuel 4 sung by Psalm Selah. The whole Bible, one chapter at a time.

Published 2026-05-22 · Last updated 2026-06-06
Written by Reid Wender, Editorial Director at Psalmody Press