Bible Commentary

And his daughter-in-law, Phinehas’ wife, was with child, [near] to be delivered: and when she heard the tidings that the ark of God was taken, and that her father-in-law and her husband were dead, she bowed herself and travailed; for her pains came upon her. 19 22. Death of Eli’s Daughter in Law 19. his … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 1 Samuel 4:19”

And it came to pass, when he made mention of the ark of God, that he fell from off the seat backward by the side of the gate, and his neck broke, and he died: for he was an old man, and heavy. And he had judged Israel forty years. 18. the ark of God … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 1 Samuel 4:18”

And the messenger answered and said, Israel is fled before the Philistines, and there hath been also a great slaughter among the people, and thy two sons also, Hophni and Phinehas, are dead, and the ark of God is taken. 17. Observe the climax. Each blow is heavier than the preceding one. The rout of … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 1 Samuel 4:17”

And the man said unto Eli, I [am] he that came out of the army, and I fled today out of the army. And he said, What is there done, my son? 16. I am he ] He has to announce himself to the blind old man who cannot see the tale of disaster which … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 1 Samuel 4:16”

Now Eli was ninety and eight years old; and his eyes were dim, that he could not see. 15. his eyes were dim ] Were set, a different word from that of ch. 1Sa 3:2, found again in this sense only in 1Ki 14:4. Eli was now totally blind. Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 1 Samuel 4:15”

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 … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 1 Samuel 4:14”

And when he came, lo, Eli sat upon a seat by the wayside watching: for his heart trembled for the ark of God. And when the man came into the city, and told [it], all the city cried out. 13. Eli sat upon a seat ] Was sitting upon the seat, (or, his seat). We … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 1 Samuel 4:13”

And there ran a man of Benjamin out of the army, and came to Shiloh the same day with his clothes rent, and with earth upon his head. 12. there ran a man of Benjamin ] Cp. 2Sa 18:19. The distance from Ebenezer to Shiloh was probably not more than twenty miles, so that a … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 1 Samuel 4:12”

And the ark of God was taken; and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were slain. 11. Hophni and Phinehas were slain ] The “sign” given by the man of God that the whole doom pronounced against Eli’s house would be executed (ch. 1Sa 2:34). The Psalmist’s account of the catastrophe should be … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 1 Samuel 4:11”

And the Philistines fought, and Israel was smitten, and they fled every man into his tent: and there was a very great slaughter; for there fell of Israel thirty thousand footmen. 10. they fled every man into his tent ] The battle ended in a sauve qui peut, every man who could escaping to his … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 1 Samuel 4:10”