Eben-Ezer
|
Eben-ezer - stone of help, the memorial stone set up by Samuel after a signal defeat of the Philistines, as a memorial of the help received on the occasion from God (1 Sam. 7:7-12), in the neighbourhood of Mizpah in Benjamin, near the western entrance of the pass of Beth-horon. On this very battle-field, twenty years before, the Philistines routed the Israelites, "and slew of the army in the field about four thousand men" (4:1,2; here, and at 5:1, called "Eben-ezer" by anticipation). In this extremity the Israelites fetched the ark of the covenant out of Shiloh and carried it into their camp. The Philistines a second time immediately attacked them, "and the ark of God was taken" (1 Sam. 4:10). Its position is defined as between Mizpeh and Shen. Some have identified it with the modern Beit Iksa, others with Dier Aban, 3 miles east of 'Ain Shems.