1 Samuel 4:14

Verse

Eli heard the outcry and asked, “Why this commotion?” So the man hurried over and reported to Eli.

American Standard Version (1901)

And when Eli heard the noise of the crying, he said, What meaneth the noise of this tumult? And the man hasted, and came and told Eli.

Bible in Basic English

And Eli, hearing the noise and the cries, said, What is the reason of this outcry? And the man came quickly and gave the news to Eli.

Free Bible Version

Eli heard the crying and asked, “What's all this noise?” The man rushed over to Eli and told him what had happened.

King James (Authorized) Version

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.

Translation for Translators

Eli asked, “Why are they making all that noise?” The messenger ran over to Eli and told him the news.

Unlocked Literal Bible

When Eli heard the noise of the outcry, he said, “What is the meaning of this uproar?” The man quickly came and told Eli.

Noah Webster Bible

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.

World English Bible

When Eli heard the noise of the crying, he said, “What does the noise of this tumult mean?” The man hurried, and came and told Eli.

Young's Literal Translation

And Eli heareth the noise of the cry, and saith, 'What — the noise of this tumult!' And the man hasted, and cometh in, and declareth to Eli.

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.

Summary

This verse describes the tragic defeat of Israel by the Philistines, resulting in the capture of the ark of the covenant. The loss of the ark symbolizes the departure of God's presence and favor from Israel due to their disobedience and sin. It serves as a sobering reminder of the consequences of forsaking God and relying on religious artifacts rather than genuine faith and obedience. The defeat highlights the importance of true repentance and reliance on God's power rather than external symbols or rituals.

Commentary

John Gill

John Gill Bible Commentary

And when Eli heard the noise of the crying,.... The shrieks of the men and women, which were very clamorous and terrible. Eli had his hearing, though not his sight; he could not see the distress in their countenances, but he heard the lamentations they made: and said, what meaneth the noise of this tumult? it seems the people ran about, wringing their hands, and making doleful shrieks; the noise of which Eli heard, and the meaning of which he inquired after, or what should be the cause of it: and the man came in hastily, and told Eli; or made haste, and came to him, and related all that is later expressed; for Eli was not in any house, but on a seat by the way side, and therefore could not be said to come "in" to him; but he came to him, where he was, being brought by some of the citizens Eli had inquired of what should be the meaning of this noise; and therefore without delay the man was hastened to give the whole account unto him, as it was highly proper he should, being the supreme magistrate.

1 Samuel 4:14

The Death of Eli

Scripture
Sermons
Commentary

Berean Standard Bible

Eli heard the outcry and asked, “Why this commotion?” So the man hurried over and reported to Eli.

American Standard Version (1901)

And when Eli heard the noise of the crying, he said, What meaneth the noise of this tumult? And the man hasted, and came and told Eli.

Bible in Basic English

And Eli, hearing the noise and the cries, said, What is the reason of this outcry? And the man came quickly and gave the news to Eli.

Free Bible Version

Eli heard the crying and asked, “What's all this noise?” The man rushed over to Eli and told him what had happened.

King James (Authorized) Version

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.

Translation for Translators

Eli asked, “Why are they making all that noise?” The messenger ran over to Eli and told him the news.

Unlocked Literal Bible

When Eli heard the noise of the outcry, he said, “What is the meaning of this uproar?” The man quickly came and told Eli.

Noah Webster Bible

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.

World English Bible

When Eli heard the noise of the crying, he said, “What does the noise of this tumult mean?” The man hurried, and came and told Eli.

Young's Literal Translation

And Eli heareth the noise of the cry, and saith, 'What — the noise of this tumult!' And the man hasted, and cometh in, and declareth to Eli.