1 Samuel 4:13
1 Samuel 4:13 in Multiple Translations
When he arrived, there was Eli, sitting on his chair beside the road and watching, because his heart trembled for the ark of God. When the man entered the city to give a report, the whole city cried out.
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.
And when he came, lo, Eli was sitting upon his 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.
And when he came, Eli was seated by the wayside watching: and in his heart was fear for the ark of God. And when the man came into the town and gave the news, there was a great outcry.
When he arrived, Eli was sitting there on his chair by the road, watching out for news because he was worried about the Ark of God. When the man came into town and gave his report, the whole town cried out loud.
And when hee came, loe, Eli sate vpon a seate by the wayside, wayting: for his heart feared for the Arke of God and when the man came into the citie to tell it, all the citie cried out.
and he cometh in, and lo, Eli is sitting on the throne by the side of the way, watching, for his heart hath been trembling for the ark of God, and the man hath come in to declare [it] in the city, and all the city crieth out.
When he came, behold, Eli was sitting on his seat by the road watching, for his heart trembled for God’s ark. When the man came into the city and told about it, all the city cried out.
And when he came, lo, Eli sat upon a seat by the way-side 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.
And when he was come, Heli sat upon a stool over against the way watching. For his heart was fearful for the ark of God. And when the man was come into the city, he told it: and all the city cried out.
Eli was waiting beside the road. He wanted to hear news about the battle, and he was also very anxious to know if anything bad had happened to God’s sacred chest. When the messenger arrived and told people what had happened, everyone in the town started to cry loudly.
Eli was a really old man by this time. He was 98 years old, and he was blind. He sat in a chair beside the road. He worried about God’s special box. He was afraid something bad might happen to it. After the messenger arrived at that place, he went around and told the bad news, and lots of people started to cry. Eli heard it and called out to the man, “What’s happening? Why is everybody crying like that?”
Berean Amplified Bible — 1 Samuel 4:13
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1 Samuel 4:13 Interlinear (Deep Study)
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Hebrew Word Reference — 1 Samuel 4:13
Study Notes — 1 Samuel 4:13
- Context
- Cross References
- 1 Samuel 4:13 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on 1 Samuel 4:13
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Samuel 4:13
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on 1 Samuel 4:13
- Trapp's Commentary on 1 Samuel 4:13
- Ellicott's Commentary on 1 Samuel 4:13
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on 1 Samuel 4:13
- Cambridge Bible on 1 Samuel 4:13
- Sermons on 1 Samuel 4:13
Context — The Death of Eli
13When he arrived, there was Eli, sitting on his chair beside the road and watching, because his heart trembled for the ark of God. When the man entered the city to give a report, the whole city cried out.
14Eli heard the outcry and asked, “Why this commotion?” So the man hurried over and reported to Eli. 15Now Eli was ninety-eight years old, and his gaze was fixed because he could not see.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 Samuel 1:9 | So after they had finished eating and drinking in Shiloh, Hannah stood up. Now Eli the priest was sitting on a chair by the doorpost of the temple of the LORD. |
| 2 | 1 Samuel 4:18 | As soon as the ark of God was mentioned, Eli fell backward from his chair by the city gate, and being old and heavy, he broke his neck and died. And Eli had judged Israel forty years. |
| 3 | Joshua 7:9 | When the Canaanites and all who live in the land hear about this, they will surround us and wipe out our name from the earth. Then what will You do for Your great name?” |
| 4 | Psalms 26:8 | O LORD, I love the house where You dwell, the place where Your glory resides. |
| 5 | Psalms 79:1–8 | The nations, O God, have invaded Your inheritance; they have defiled Your holy temple and reduced Jerusalem to rubble. They have given the corpses of Your servants as food to the birds of the air, the flesh of Your saints to the beasts of the earth. They have poured out their blood like water all around Jerusalem, and there is no one to bury the dead. We have become a reproach to our neighbors, a scorn and derision to those around us. How long, O LORD? Will You be angry forever? Will Your jealousy burn like fire? Pour out Your wrath on the nations that do not acknowledge You, on the kingdoms that refuse to call on Your name, for they have devoured Jacob and devastated his homeland. Do not hold past sins against us; let Your compassion come quickly, for we are brought low. |
| 6 | Psalms 137:4–6 | How can we sing a song of the LORD in a foreign land? If I forget you, O Jerusalem, may my right hand cease to function. May my tongue cling to the roof of my mouth if I do not remember you, if I do not exalt Jerusalem as my greatest joy! |
| 7 | Nehemiah 1:3–4 | And they told me, “The remnant who survived the exile are there in the province, in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates are burned with fire.” When I heard these words, I sat down and wept. I mourned for days, fasting and praying before the God of heaven. |
1 Samuel 4:13 Summary
This verse shows us Eli waiting anxiously by the road, worried about the ark of God, which had been taken by their enemies. The man who came to tell him the news was visibly upset, with torn clothes and dirt on his head, showing how serious the situation was. When the man entered the city to share the news, everyone cried out, indicating how much they cared about what had happened. This scene reminds us that our security and hope should be in God, not in objects or symbols, as taught in Jeremiah 29:11-13 and Psalm 20:7-8.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Eli sitting and watching by the road?
Eli was sitting and watching by the road because his heart trembled for the ark of God, indicating his deep concern for its safety, as seen in 1 Samuel 4:13. This concern is reminiscent of the love and reverence for God's presence expressed in Psalm 84:1-2.
What was the significance of the man's torn clothes and dirt on his head?
The man's torn clothes and dirt on his head, as mentioned in 1 Samuel 4:12, signified his grief and mourning, likely due to the defeat of the Israelites and the capture of the ark, which is a symbol of God's presence among His people, as seen in Exodus 25:22.
Why did the whole city cry out when the man entered to give a report?
The whole city cried out because they sensed the gravity of the news the man was about to share, which would have significant implications for their nation and their faith, similar to the reactions seen in other parts of the Bible when God's people faced crisis, such as in Joshua 7:6-9.
How does this verse reflect the spiritual state of Israel at the time?
This verse reflects the spiritual state of Israel by highlighting their dependence on the ark for security rather than on God Himself, a theme also explored in 1 Samuel 4:3, and pointing to a deeper issue of idolatry and misplaced trust, as warned against in Deuteronomy 8:19-20.
Reflection Questions
- What are the things in my life that I 'watch' and 'tremble' for, and are they aligned with God's will and priorities as seen in Matthew 6:33?
- How do I respond to news of tragedy or crisis, and what does my response reveal about my faith and trust in God, as reflected in Psalm 46:1-3?
- In what ways can I, like Eli, be more vigilant and concerned for the things of God, and how can I express this concern in practical ways, such as prayer and service, as encouraged in Ephesians 6:18 and Matthew 25:31-46?
- What role does community play in sharing both joy and sorrow, as seen in the city's collective outcry, and how can I be a part of fostering such a community, as described in Acts 2:42-47?
Gill's Exposition on 1 Samuel 4:13
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Samuel 4:13
Matthew Poole's Commentary on 1 Samuel 4:13
Trapp's Commentary on 1 Samuel 4:13
Ellicott's Commentary on 1 Samuel 4:13
Adam Clarke's Commentary on 1 Samuel 4:13
Cambridge Bible on 1 Samuel 4:13
Sermons on 1 Samuel 4:13
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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1 Samuel 4:13 by Joshua Daniel | This sermon emphasizes the importance of trembling for the presence of God, using the story of Eli and his sons as a cautionary tale. It highlights the consequences of hidden sin a |
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(1 Samuel) Has the Glory Departed? by David Guzik | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the danger of pushing God away and becoming calloused towards Him. He highlights the certainty that every person will have to stand before G |
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Revival Men by Horatius Bonar | Horatius Bonar emphasizes the urgent need for 'Revival Men' in the Church, highlighting the qualities that define true prophets of God. He draws inspiration from Hannah's fervent p |
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The Greatness and Glory of God's Name by T. Austin-Sparks | T. Austin-Sparks emphasizes the profound significance of God's Name, which encapsulates His character, works, and eternal purpose. He explains that the Name of the Lord is not mere |
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Hebron Silver Jubilee - Part 2 by Bakht Singh | In this sermon, the Lord's servant emphasizes the importance of having a genuine love for God's house. He refers to a scripture from Psalm 26:8, which states, "Lord, I have loved t |
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Hebron Dedication - Part 1 by Bakht Singh | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of having a sincere love for the house of God. They express the belief that this building is not meant for the glory or failur |
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Hebron Dedication - Part 2 by Bakht Singh | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of having a genuine love for God's house. He repeatedly expresses his love for the place and habitation of God's house. The sp |





