1 Samuel 4:12 web — There ran a man of Benjamin out of the army, and came to Shiloh the same day, with his clothes torn, and with earth on…

World English Bible

"There ran a man of Benjamin out of the army, and came to Shiloh the same day, with his clothes torn, and with earth on his head."

— 1 Samuel 4:12, World English Bible

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1 Samuel 4:12 in Other Translations

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1 Samuel 4 — Context

9

Be strong, and behave like men, O you Philistines, that you not be servants to the Hebrews, as they have been to you. Strengthen yourselves like men, and fight!"

10

The Philistines fought, and Israel was struck, and they fled every man to his tent: and there was a very great slaughter; for there fell of Israel thirty thousand footmen.

11

The ark of God was taken; and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were slain.

12

There ran a man of Benjamin out of the army, and came to Shiloh the same day, with his clothes torn, and with earth on his head.

13

When he came, behold, Eli was sitting on his seat by the road watching; for his heart trembled for the ark of God. When the man came into the city, and told it, all the city cried out.

14

When Eli heard the noise of the crying, he said, "What does the noise of this tumult mean?" The man hurried, and came and told Eli.

15

Now Eli was ninety-eight years old; and his eyes were set, so that he could not see.

1 Samuel 4:12 — Frequently Asked Questions

7 questions
What does 1 Samuel 4:12 say?
1 Samuel 4:12 in the World English Bible reads: “There ran a man of Benjamin out of the army, and came to Shiloh the same day, with his clothes torn, and with earth on his head.”
Where is 1 Samuel 4:12 in the Bible?
1 Samuel 4:12 is found in the Old Testament, in the book of 1 Samuel, chapter 4, verse 12.
Who wrote 1 Samuel?
1 Samuel is traditionally attributed to Anonymous (traditionally Samuel, Nathan, and Gad). It was written c. 930–722 BC.
What is the book of 1 Samuel about?
1 Samuel marks Israel's transition from judges to kings. It traces the births and ministries of the prophet Samuel, the rise and tragic fall of Saul as Israel's first king, and the anointing of the shepherd boy David, whose faith makes him a man after God's own heart.
What are the major themes of 1 Samuel?
1 Samuel explores themes including Kingship, Prophet, Faith vs. Fear, God's Sovereign Choice, Anointing. These themes shape the meaning and context of 1 Samuel 4:12.
What translation should I read 1 Samuel 4:12 in?
1 Samuel 4:12 is available on GodsGoodBook in the King James Version (KJV), American Standard Version (ASV), World English Bible (WEB), NET Bible, Young's Literal Translation, Darby Bible, Douay-Rheims Bible, and the Bible in Basic English. Each translation reflects different translation philosophies — use the translation picker on this page to compare them, or browse our full translations directory.
How can I memorize 1 Samuel 4:12?
1 Samuel 4:12 reads (WEB): “There ran a man of Benjamin out of the army, and came to Shiloh the same day, with his clothes torn, and with earth on his head.” Read it aloud, break it into short phrases, repeat each phrase three times before adding the next, then put the phrases together. Reading it in multiple translations (above) often helps the meaning settle.
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