The Philistines looked upon the ark as the god of Israel. All the mighty works that Jehovah had wrought for His people were attributed to its power. As they heard the shouts of joy at its approach, they said, "What meaneth the noise of this great shout in the camp of the Hebrews? And they understood that the ark of the Lord was come into the camp. And the Philistines were afraid; for they said, God has come into the camp. And they said, Woe unto us! for there hath not been such a thing heretofore. Woe unto us! who shall deliver us out of the hand of these mighty Gods? These are the Gods that smote the Egyptians with all the plagues in the wilderness. Be strong, and quit yourselves like men, O ye Philistines, that ye be not servants unto the Hebrews, as they have been to you: quit yourselves like men, and fight."

Samuel havde "endnu ikke lært Herren at kende, og Herrens ord var endnu ikke åbenbaret ham", før han fik dette budskab fra Gud. Det vil sige, at han endnu ikke var kendt med, at Gud åbenbarede sin nærværelse så direkte, som han gjorde over for profeterne. Herren havde til hensigt at åbenbare sig ganske uventet, for at den unge mand skulle blive overrasket og spørge Eli, hvad det betød.