5. When the Lord’S Box of the Agreement came into the camp, all the Israelites gave a great shout loud enough to make the ground shake.
6. The Philistines heard Israel’s shout and asked, “Why are the people so excited in the Hebrew camp?” Then the Philistines learned that the Lord’S Holy Box had been brought into Israel’s camp.
7. They became afraid and said, “Gods have come to their camp! We’re in trouble. This has never happened before.
8. We are worried. Who can save us from these powerful gods? These gods are the same ones that gave the Egyptians those diseases and terrible sicknesses.
9. Be brave, Philistines. Fight like men. In the past they were our slaves, so fight like men or you will become their slaves.”
10. So the Philistines fought very hard and defeated the Israelites. The Israelite soldiers ran away and went home. It was a terrible defeat for Israel. 30,000 Israelite soldiers were killed.
11. The Philistines took God’s Holy Box and killed Eli’s two sons, Hophni and Phinehas.
12. One of the men who ran from the battle was a man from the tribe of Benjamin. He tore his clothes and put dust on his head to show his great sadness.