(2) And the Philistines put themselves in array against Israel: and when they joined battle, Israel was smitten before the Philistines: and they slew of the army in the field about four thousand men.
This spot of Ebenezer, where the Philistines pitched their army, was made memorable in the after battles of Israel. About twenty years after, here it was that Samuel set up the stone of help, and called it Ebenezer. And doth not our God now sometimes, and not unfrequently, make that very spot memorable where afflictions and soul-searching situations first begin? The heavy slaughter in this battle of the army of Israel, by the uncircumcised Philistines, loudly testified the Lord's displeasure at the sin of his people. The Lord had said, that if they despised his statutes, and abhorred his judgments, he would set his face against them, and they should he slain of their enemies; and here we see it; Lev_26:15; Lev_26:17.