1 Samuel 4:14-18

Christian Standard Bible

¹⁴ Eli heard the outcry and asked, “Why this commotion?” The man quickly came and reported to Eli. ¹⁵ At that time Eli was ninety-eight years old, and his eyes didn’t move^[a] because he couldn’t see.^(A)

¹⁶ The man said to Eli, “I’m the one who came from the battle.^[b] I fled from there today.”

“What happened, my son?” ^(B) Eli asked.

¹⁷ The messenger answered, “Israel has fled from the Philistines, and also there was a great slaughter among the people. Your two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, are both dead, and the ark of God has been captured.” ¹⁸ When he mentioned the ark of God, Eli fell backward off the chair by the city gate,^(C) and since he was old and heavy, his neck broke and he died. Eli had judged Israel forty years.