1 Samuel 4 - Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible

The death of Eli.

The defeat of the army was very grievous to Eli as a judge; the tidings of the death of his two sons, to whom he had been so indulgent, and who, as he had reason to fear, died impenitent, touched him as a father; yet there was a greater concern on his spirit. And when the messenger concluded his story with, to �The ark of God is taken, to � he is struck to the heart, and died immediately. A man may die miserably, yet not die eternally; may come to an untimely end, yet the end be peace.

(1Sa 4:19-22)