How were the Philistines able to capture the ark of the covenant?

Question

Eli’s sons betrayed the Israelites and secretly told the Philistines where the Ark of the Covenant was kept.

Eli’s sons took the ark of the covenant into battle against the Philistines, hoping that God would fight for them.

Eli was caught as he tried to sneak it out of the besieged city.

Samuel was not a good soldier and could not defend the Ark like he had hoped to do.

Answer 1

The Philistines were able to capture the Ark of the Covenant because Eli's sons, Hophni and Phinehas, took the Ark into battle against the Philistines, believing that its presence would ensure God's favor and grant them victory. This decision was made despite their own wickedness and corruption, which contributed to Israel's defeat. The battle took place at Aphek, and the Israelites were routed, leading to the capture of the Ark by the Philistines. The pertinent biblical account can be found in 1 Samuel 4.

The other options you mentioned are not accurate representations of the events surrounding the capture of the Ark. Eli's sons did not betray the Israelites in the specific manner described, Eli did not try to sneak out the Ark, and Samuel was not directly involved in the battle where the Ark was captured.