1 Samuel 4:18

When he made mention of God’s ark, Eli fell from off his seat backward by the side of the gate; and his neck broke, and he died, for he was an old man and heavy. He had judged Israel forty years.

World English Bible Classic

In The King James Version

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 brake, and he died: for he was an old man, and heavy. And he had judged Israel forty years.

In Context

17He who brought the news answered, “Israel has fled before the Philistines, and there has been also a great slaughter among the people. Your two sons also, Hophni and Phinehas, are dead, and God’s ark has been captured.”

19His daughter-in-law, Phinehas’ wife, was with child, near to giving birth. When she heard the news that God’s ark was taken and that her father-in-law and her husband were dead, she bowed herself and gave birth; for her pains came on her.

Read all of 1 Samuel 4

Cross References

Judges 15:20He judged Israel twenty years in the days of the Philistines.

1 Samuel 3:12In that day I will perform against Eli all that I have spoken concerning his house, from the beginning even to the end.

1 Samuel 4:21She named the child Ichabod, saying, “The glory has departed from Israel!” because God’s ark was taken, and because of her father-in-law and her husband.

Psalms 42:3My tears have been my food day and night, while they continually ask me, “Where is your God?”

Psalms 69:9For the zeal of your house consumes me. The reproaches of those who reproach you have fallen on me.

1 Corinthians 11:30For this cause many among you are weak and sickly, and not a few sleep.

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 →

This Verse In Other Editions

Study 1 Samuel 4:18