January 11th, 2004, Thursday of the first week in ordinary time.

A reading from the first book of Samuel.

The Philistines gathered for an attack on Israel.

Israel went out to engage them in battle and camped at Ebenezer,

while the Philistines camped at Afec.

The Philistines then drew up in battle formation against Israel.

After a fierce struggle, Israel was defeated by the Philistines,

who slew about 4,000 men on the battlefield.

When the troops retired to the camp, the elders of Israel said, who slew about 4,000 men on the battlefield.

When the troops retired to the camp,

the elders of Israel said,

Why has the Lord permitted us to be defeated today by the Philistines?

Let us fetch the ark of the Lord from Shiloh,

that it may go into battle among us

and save us from the grasp of our enemies.

So the people sent to Shiloh and brought from there the Ark of the Lord of hosts, who is

enthroned upon the cherubim. The two sons of Eli, Hoffnye and Phineas, were with the Ark of God.

When the Ark of the Lord arrived in the camp, all Israel shouted so loudly that the earth resounded.

The Philistines, hearing the noise of shouting, asked,

What can this loud shouting in the camp of the Hebrews mean?

On learning that the Ark of the Lord had come into the camp,

the Philistines were frightened.

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