In 1 Samuel 4 to 6, an account is given of how the Philistine threat, which was referred to at the beginning of the chapter, finally led to war. The Philistines attacked the Israelites and defeated the Israelite army although it tried to resist them. In the fighting the two sons of Eli were killed and the Ark of the Covenant, which had been taken into battle by the Israelites, was captured by the Philistines. When the news of the capture of the Ark was brought to Eli he died.