In fulfillment of the prophecies of chapter 3, Eli’s family suffers a devastating blow in the wake of a battle with the Philistines some years later (4:1–11). The conflict takes place near Aphek, a city about twenty miles west of Shiloh and somewhat north of the main Philistine territory along the Mediterranean Sea. According to Judges 13–16, the Philistines controlled the tribe of Judah and were putting pressure on tribal regions to the north. Unlike Samson, Israel’s army cannot gain the victory and in fact loses about four thousand (or four “companies” of) men. (Note that the same Hebrew word for “thousand” may also mean “company [of men]” as well as a “tribal clan.” Interpreters both modern and a…