Battle of Aphek

The Battle of Aphek is a biblical episode described in 1 Samuel 4:1-10 of the Hebrew Bible. During this battle the Philistines defeat the Israelite army and capture the Ark of the Covenant.

Biblical account
The Book of Samuel records that the Philistines were camped at Aphek and Israel at Eben-Ezer. During the first battle the Philistines defeat Israel and kill four thousand. The Israelites bring the Ark of the Covenant from Shiloh. The Philistines again defeat the Israelites, this time killing thirty thousand and capturing the Ark.

Samuel records that the two sons of the judge Eli, Hophni and Phineas, died that day, as well as Eli, who "[a]s soon as he mentioned the ark of God, Eli fell over backward from his seat by the side of the gate, and his neck was broken and he died, for the man was old and heavy. He had judged Israel forty years." (1 Samuel 4:18)