Study Desk

Moreover, the ark of God was taken; and ^(C1)the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, died.

Now a man of Benjamin ran from the battle line and came to Shiloh the same day with ^(C1)his clothes torn, and ^(F1)dust on his head.

When he came, behold, ^(C1)Eli was sitting on his seat ^(F1)by the road keeping watch, because his heart was anxious about the ark of God. And the man came to give a report in the city, and all the city cried out.

When Eli heard the noise of the outcry, he said, "What does the noise of this commotion mean?" Then the man came hurriedly and told Eli.

Now Eli was ninety-eight years old, and ^(C1)his eyes were ^(F1)fixed and he could not see.

The man said to Eli, "I am the one who came from the battle line. Indeed, I escaped from the battle line today." And he said, "^(C1)How are things, my son?"

Then the one who brought the news replied, "Israel has fled before the Philistines and there has also been a great defeat among the people, and your two sons, Hophni and Phinehas are also dead; and the ark of God has been taken."

When he mentioned the ark of God, ^(F1)(C1)Eli fell off the seat backward beside the gate, and his neck was broken and he died, for ^(F2)he was old and heavy. And so he judged Israel for forty years.