Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 1 Samuel 4:14
And when Eli heard the noise of the crying, he said, What [meaneth] the noise of this tumult? And the man came in hastily, and told Eli.
14. he said ] The Sept. adds ‘ to the men that stood by him.’
came in hastily ] Made haste and came through the town to the tabernacle enclosure which stood on a slight eminence.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
And when Eli heard the noise of the crying,…. The shrieks of the men and women, which were very clamorous and terrible. Eli had his hearing, though not his sight; he could not see the distress in their countenances, but he heard the lamentations they made:
and said, what meaneth the noise of this tumult? it seems the people ran about, wringing their hands, and making doleful shrieks; the noise of which Eli heard, and the meaning of which he inquired after, or what should be the cause of it:
and the man came in hastily, and told Eli; or made haste, and came to him, and related all that is later expressed; for Eli was not in any house, but on a seat by the way side, and therefore could not be said to come “in” to him; but he came to him, where he was, being brought by some of the citizens Eli had inquired of what should be the meaning of this noise; and therefore without delay the man was hastened to give the whole account unto him, as it was highly proper he should, being the supreme magistrate.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
(14) What meaneth the noise?The blind old man, we must suppose, was seated on his chair of state, surrounded by priests and Levites, who were in attendance on him as high priest and judge. As the runner drew near, and the torn dress and the dust sprinkled on his headthe symbols of disasterbecame visible, the wail of woe would soon run through the place. The cry of sorrow was the first intimation to the blind Eli: he was soon to hear the details. His question was probably, in the first place, addressed to the little court standing by his throne. The narrative is so vivid we seem to hear the sound of the cries of grief and terror which Eli heard, and to see the scene of dismay and confusion which those sightless eyes were prevented from looking on.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
14. The man came in Into some place by the gate of the city to which Eli seems to have hastened when he heard the crying.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
1Sa 4:14 And when Eli heard the noise of the crying, he said, What [meaneth] the noise of this tumult? And the man came in hastily, and told Eli.
Ver. 14. And the man came in hastily. ] A : Ill news, like ill weather, cometh ere it be sent for; but this doleful messenger was not so discreet as he might have been.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
noise of this tumult. Figure of speech Pleonasm. App-6.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
What meaneth: 1Sa 4:6
Reciprocal: Est 4:3 – great mourning Jer 48:19 – ask