1 Samuel 4:17

“Israel ran away from the Philistines—we were badly defeated,” the messenger replied. “Also your two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, were killed, and the Ark of God has been captured.”

Free Bible Version

In The King James Version

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.

In Context

16“I've just come from the battle,” the man said. “I ran away from it today.” “What happened, my son?” Eli asked.

18As soon as the Ark of God was mentioned, Eli fell backward from his chair by the town gate. Since he was old and heavy, he broke his neck and died. Eli had been Israel's leader for forty years.

Read all of 1 Samuel 4

Cross References

1 Samuel 2:34Here is a sign for you that this will happen regarding your two sons Hophni and Phinehas: both will die on the same day.

1 Samuel 3:12That's when I will carry out against Eli and his family everything I have said, from beginning to end.

Psalms 78:64Their priests were killed by the sword; their widows were unable to mourn.

Matthew Henry on 1 Samuel 4:13-19

The Death of Eli. ( b. c. 1120.) 12 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. 13 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. 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. 15 Now Eli was ninety… Read the whole commentary →

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Study 1 Samuel 4:17