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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>1 Samuel 4:14 Eli heard the outcry and asked, "Why this commotion?" So the man hurried over and reported to Eli.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/1_samuel/4-14.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/5/09_1Sa_04_14.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="1 Samuel 4:14 - The Death of Eli" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Eli heard the outcry and asked, Why this commotion? 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The messenger rushed over to Eli,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/1_samuel/4.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />When Eli heard the sound of the outcry, he said, “What is this uproar?” Then the man hurried and came and told Eli.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/1_samuel/4.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Eli heard the outcry and asked, “Why this commotion?” So the man hurried over and reported to Eli.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/1_samuel/4.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And when Eli heard the noise of the crying, he said, What <i>meaneth</i> the noise of this tumult? And the man came in hastily, and told Eli.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/1_samuel/4.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />When Eli heard the noise of the outcry, he said, “What <i>does</i> the sound of this tumult <i>mean?</i>” And the man came quickly and told Eli.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/1_samuel/4.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />When Eli heard the noise of the outcry, he said, “What <i>does</i> the noise of this commotion <i>mean?</i>” Then the man came hurriedly and told Eli.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/1_samuel/4.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />When Eli heard the noise of the outcry, he said, &#8220What does the noise of this commotion mean?&#8221 Then the man came hurriedly and told Eli.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/1_samuel/4.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />When Eli heard the noise of the outcry, he said, “What <i>does</i> the noise of this commotion <i>mean?</i>” Then the man came hurriedly and told Eli.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/1_samuel/4.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Then Eli heard the noise of the outcry, and he said, “What <i>does</i> the noise of this commotion <i>mean</i>?” So the man came hurriedly and told Eli.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/1_samuel/4.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />When Eli heard the noise of the outcry, he asked, “What is the noise of this uproar?” And the man came hurriedly and told Eli.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/1_samuel/4.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Eli heard the outcry and asked, “Why this commotion? ” The man quickly came and reported to Eli.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/1_samuel/4.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Eli heard the outcry and asked, &#8220Why this commotion?&#8221 The man quickly came and reported to Eli. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/1_samuel/4.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/1_samuel/4.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/1_samuel/4.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Hearing the cry, Eli asked, "What is this commotion?" So the man went quickly to tell Eli the news.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/1_samuel/4.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Eli heard the noise and asked, "What is all this noise about?" The man hurried to Eli to tell him the news. ( <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/1_samuel/4.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Eli heard the sound of the cry and asked, "What is the meaning of this commotion?" Then the man quickly came and told Eli. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/1_samuel/4.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Eli heard the outcry and asked, ?Why this commotion?? So the man hurried over and reported to Eli.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/1_samuel/4.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />When Eli heard the outcry, he said, "What is this commotion?" The man quickly came and told Eli.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/1_samuel/4.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/1_samuel/4.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/1_samuel/4.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />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. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/1_samuel/4.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And Eli hears the noise of the cry and says, “What [is] the noise of this tumult?” And the man hurried, and comes in, and tells Eli.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/1_samuel/4.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> 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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/1_samuel/4.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And Eli will hear the voice of the cry, and will say, What the voice of this noise? And the man hastened, and he will go in and announce to Eli.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/1_samuel/4.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And Heli heard the noise of the cry, and he said: What meaneth the noise of this uproar? But he made haste, and came, and told Heli. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/1_samuel/4.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And Eli heard the sound of the outcry, and he said, “What is this sound, this tumult?” And the man hurried, and he went and announced it to Eli.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/1_samuel/4.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />When Eli heard the uproar, he wondered why there was such commotion. Just then the man rushed up to inform him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/1_samuel/4.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />When Eli heard the sound of the outcry, he said, “What is this uproar?” Then the man came quickly and told Eli.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/1_samuel/4.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And when Eli heard the noise of crying, he said, What is this noise of tumult? And the man came in hastily and told Eli.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/1_samuel/4.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And Eli heard the sound of the wailing and he said: “What is this sound of tumult?” And the man hurried and came and he told Eli<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/1_samuel/4.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And when Eli heard the noise of the crying, he said: 'What meaneth the noise of this tumult?' And the man made haste, and came and told Eli.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/1_samuel/4.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And Heli heard the sound of the cry, and said, What <i>is</i> the voice of this cry? and the men hasted and went in, and reported to Heli.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/1_samuel/4-14.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/H8oQfYUMRZg?start=1105" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/1_samuel/4.htm">The Death of Eli</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">13</span>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. <span class="reftext">14</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/5941.htm" title="5941: ‘ê·lî (N-proper-ms) -- A priest at Shiloh. From alah; lofty; Eli, an Israelite high-priest.">Eli</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/8085.htm" title="8085: way·yiš·ma‘ (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To hear. A primitive root; to hear intelligently.">heard</a> <a href="/hebrew/6963.htm" title="6963: qō·wl (N-msc) -- Sound, voice. Or qol; from an unused root meaning to call aloud; a voice or sound.">the outcry</a> <a href="/hebrew/6818.htm" title="6818: haṣ·ṣə·‘ā·qāh (Art:: N-fs) -- A cry, outcry. From tsa'aq; a shriek."></a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: way·yō·mer (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">and asked,</a> <a href="/hebrew/4100.htm" title="4100: meh (Interrog) -- What? how? anything. ">“Why</a> <a href="/hebrew/6963.htm" title="6963: qō·wl (N-msc) -- Sound, voice. Or qol; from an unused root meaning to call aloud; a voice or sound."></a> <a href="/hebrew/2088.htm" title="2088: haz·zeh (Art:: Pro-ms) -- This, here. A primitive word; the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that.">this</a> <a href="/hebrew/1995.htm" title="1995: he·hā·mō·wn (Art:: N-ms) -- A sound, murmur, roar, crowd, abundance. Or hamon; from hamah; a noise, tumult, crowd; also disquietude, wealth.">commotion?”</a> <a href="/hebrew/376.htm" title="376: wə·hā·’îš (Conj-w, Art:: N-ms) -- Man. Contracted for 'enowsh; a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term.">So the man</a> <a href="/hebrew/4116.htm" title="4116: mi·har (V-Piel-Perf-3ms) -- To hasten. A primitive root; properly, to be liquid or flow easily, i.e. to hurry; often used adverbially, promptly.">hurried over</a> <a href="/hebrew/935.htm" title="935: way·yā·ḇō (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To come in, come, go in, go. A primitive root; to go or come."></a> <a href="/hebrew/5046.htm" title="5046: way·yag·gêḏ (Conj-w:: V-Hifil-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To be conspicuous. ">and reported</a> <a href="/hebrew/5941.htm" title="5941: lə·‘ê·lî (Prep-l:: N-proper-ms) -- A priest at Shiloh. From alah; lofty; Eli, an Israelite high-priest.">to Eli.</a> </span><span class="reftext">15</span>Now Eli was ninety-eight years old, and his gaze was fixed because he could not see.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/3-11.htm">1 Samuel 3:11-14</a></span><br />Then the LORD said to Samuel, “I am about to do something in Israel at which the ears of all who hear it will tingle. / On that day I will carry out against Eli everything I have spoken about his house, from beginning to end. / I told him that I would judge his house forever for the iniquity of which he knows, because his sons blasphemed God and he did not restrain them. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/2-27.htm">1 Samuel 2:27-36</a></span><br />Then a man of God came to Eli and told him, “This is what the LORD says: ‘Did I not clearly reveal Myself to your father’s house when they were in Egypt under Pharaoh’s house? / And out of all the tribes of Israel I selected your father to be My priest, to offer sacrifices on My altar, to burn incense, and to wear an ephod in My presence. I also gave to the house of your father all the food offerings of the Israelites. / Why then do you kick at My sacrifice and offering that I have prescribed for My dwelling place? You have honored your sons more than Me by fattening yourselves with the best of all the offerings of My people Israel.’ ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/7-12.htm">1 Samuel 7:12-14</a></span><br />Afterward, Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen. He named it Ebenezer, saying, “Thus far the LORD has helped us.” / So the Philistines were subdued, and they stopped invading the territory of Israel. And the hand of the LORD was against the Philistines all the days of Samuel. / The cities from Ekron to Gath, which the Philistines had taken, were restored to Israel, who also delivered the surrounding territory from the hand of the Philistines. And there was peace between the Israelites and the Amorites.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/2-12.htm">1 Samuel 2:12-17</a></span><br />Now the sons of Eli were wicked men; they had no regard for the LORD / or for the custom of the priests with the people. When any man offered a sacrifice, the servant of the priest would come with a three-pronged meat fork while the meat was boiling / and plunge it into the pan or kettle or cauldron or cooking pot. And the priest would claim for himself whatever the meat fork brought up. This is how they treated all the Israelites who came to Shiloh. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/2-22.htm">1 Samuel 2:22-25</a></span><br />Now Eli was very old, and he heard about everything his sons were doing to all Israel and how they were sleeping with the women who served at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting. / “Why are you doing these things?” Eli said to his sons. “I hear about your wicked deeds from all these people. / No, my sons; it is not a good report I hear circulating among the LORD’s people. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/2-30.htm">1 Samuel 2:30-31</a></span><br />Therefore, the LORD, the God of Israel, declares: ‘I did indeed say that your house and the house of your father would walk before Me forever. But now the LORD declares: Far be it from Me! For I will honor those who honor Me, but those who despise Me will be disdained. / Behold, the days are coming when I will cut off your strength and the strength of your father’s house, so that no one in it will reach old age.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/3-18.htm">1 Samuel 3:18</a></span><br />So Samuel told him everything and did not hide a thing from him. “He is the LORD,” replied Eli. “Let Him do what is good in His eyes.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/8-1.htm">1 Samuel 8:1-3</a></span><br />When Samuel grew old, he appointed his sons as judges over Israel. / The name of his firstborn son was Joel, and the name of his second was Abijah. They were judges in Beersheba. / But his sons did not walk in his ways; they turned aside toward dishonest gain, accepting bribes and perverting justice.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/2-27.htm">1 Kings 2:27</a></span><br />So Solomon banished Abiathar from the priesthood of the LORD and thus fulfilled the word that the LORD had spoken at Shiloh against the house of Eli.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/78-60.htm">Psalm 78:60-64</a></span><br />He abandoned the tabernacle of Shiloh, the tent He had pitched among men. / He delivered His strength to captivity, and His splendor to the hand of the adversary. / He surrendered His people to the sword because He was enraged by His heritage. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/7-12.htm">Jeremiah 7:12-14</a></span><br />But go now to the place in Shiloh where I first made a dwelling for My Name, and see what I did to it because of the wickedness of My people Israel. / And now, because you have done all these things, declares the LORD, and because I have spoken to you again and again but you would not listen, and I have called to you but you would not answer, / therefore what I did to Shiloh I will now do to the house that bears My Name, the house in which you trust, the place that I gave to you and your fathers.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/lamentations/2-7.htm">Lamentations 2:7</a></span><br />The Lord has rejected His altar; He has abandoned His sanctuary; He has delivered the walls of her palaces into the hand of the enemy. They have raised a shout in the house of the LORD as on the day of an appointed feast.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/9-5.htm">Ezekiel 9:5-6</a></span><br />And as I listened, He said to the others, “Follow him through the city and start killing; do not show pity or spare anyone! / Slaughter the old men, the young men and maidens, the women and children; but do not go near anyone who has the mark. Now begin at My sanctuary.” So they began with the elders who were before the temple.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hosea/4-6.htm">Hosea 4:6-9</a></span><br />My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I will also reject you as My priests. Since you have forgotten the law of your God, I will also forget your children. / The more they multiplied, the more they sinned against Me; they exchanged their Glory for a thing of disgrace. / They feed on the sins of My people and set their hearts on iniquity. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/24-2.htm">Matthew 24:2</a></span><br />“Do you see all these things?” He replied. “Truly I tell you, not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.”</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And when Eli heard the noise of the crying, he said, What means the noise of this tumult? And the man came in hastily, and told Eli.</p><p class="hdg">What meaneth</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_samuel/4-6.htm">1 Samuel 4:6</a></b></br> And when the Philistines heard the noise of the shout, they said, What <i>meaneth</i> the noise of this great shout in the camp of the Hebrews? And they understood that the ark of the LORD was come into the camp.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/acts/19-40.htm">Commotion</a> <a href="/judges/7-21.htm">Cries</a> <a href="/1_samuel/4-13.htm">Cry</a> <a href="/judges/18-23.htm">Crying</a> <a href="/1_samuel/3-18.htm">Declareth</a> <a href="/1_samuel/4-13.htm">Eli</a> <a href="/judges/20-37.htm">Haste</a> <a href="/judges/20-37.htm">Hasted</a> <a href="/judges/20-37.htm">Hastened</a> <a href="/judges/9-54.htm">Hastily</a> <a href="/1_samuel/4-6.htm">Heard</a> <a href="/1_samuel/3-11.htm">Heareth</a> <a href="/1_samuel/4-6.htm">Hearing</a> <a href="/judges/20-37.htm">Hurried</a> <a href="/judges/9-54.htm">Hurriedly</a> <a href="/1_samuel/4-6.htm">Mean</a> <a href="/1_samuel/4-6.htm">Meaneth</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/6-20.htm">Meaning</a> <a href="/1_samuel/4-6.htm">Means</a> <a href="/1_samuel/4-13.htm">News</a> <a href="/1_samuel/4-6.htm">Noise</a> <a href="/1_samuel/4-13.htm">Outcry</a> <a href="/judges/16-14.htm">Quickly</a> <a href="/judges/11-8.htm">Reason</a> <a href="/1_samuel/1-13.htm">Sound</a> <a href="/numbers/24-17.htm">Tumult</a> <a href="/1_samuel/4-6.htm">Uproar</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/1_samuel/14-19.htm">Commotion</a> <a href="/1_samuel/10-24.htm">Cries</a> <a href="/1_samuel/5-12.htm">Cry</a> <a href="/1_samuel/7-8.htm">Crying</a> <a href="/1_samuel/14-43.htm">Declareth</a> <a href="/1_samuel/4-15.htm">Eli</a> <a href="/1_samuel/9-12.htm">Haste</a> <a href="/1_samuel/17-48.htm">Hasted</a> <a href="/1_samuel/17-48.htm">Hastened</a> <a href="/2_samuel/17-18.htm">Hastily</a> <a href="/1_samuel/4-19.htm">Heard</a> <a href="/1_samuel/8-21.htm">Heareth</a> <a href="/1_samuel/7-7.htm">Hearing</a> <a href="/1_samuel/17-48.htm">Hurried</a> <a href="/proverbs/20-21.htm">Hurriedly</a> <a href="/1_samuel/25-3.htm">Mean</a> <a href="/1_samuel/15-14.htm">Meaneth</a> <a href="/1_kings/1-41.htm">Meaning</a> <a href="/1_samuel/6-3.htm">Means</a> <a href="/1_samuel/4-17.htm">News</a> <a href="/1_samuel/14-19.htm">Noise</a> <a href="/1_samuel/5-12.htm">Outcry</a> <a href="/1_samuel/9-12.htm">Quickly</a> <a href="/1_samuel/12-7.htm">Reason</a> <a href="/1_samuel/15-14.htm">Sound</a> <a href="/1_samuel/14-19.htm">Tumult</a> <a href="/1_kings/1-41.htm">Uproar</a><div class="vheading2">1 Samuel 4</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/4-1.htm">The Israelites are overcome by the Philistines at Ebenezer</a></span><br><span class="reftext">3. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/4-3.htm">They fetch the ark unto the terror of the Philistines</a></span><br><span class="reftext">10. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/4-10.htm">They are smitten again, the ark taken, and Hophni and Phinehas are slain</a></span><br><span class="reftext">12. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/4-12.htm">Eli at the news, falling backward, breaks his neck</a></span><br><span class="reftext">19. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/4-19.htm">Phinehas's wife, discouraged in her travail with Ichabod, dies</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/1_samuel/4.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/1_samuel/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/1_samuel/4.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Eli heard the outcry</b><br>Eli, the high priest and judge of Israel, was advanced in age and had diminished eyesight, which is significant in understanding his reliance on auditory cues. The outcry he heard was likely from the people of Shiloh, reacting to the devastating news of the Ark of the Covenant being captured by the Philistines. This event marks a pivotal moment in Israel's history, as the Ark symbolized God's presence and favor. The outcry reflects the collective despair and fear of the Israelites, who understood the spiritual and national implications of losing the Ark.<p><b>and asked, “Why this commotion?”</b><br>Eli's question indicates his lack of awareness of the battle's outcome and the gravity of the situation. His position as high priest would typically place him at the center of communication, yet his physical limitations and the chaos surrounding the event left him uninformed. The commotion suggests a scene of panic and confusion, highlighting the Israelites' dependence on the Ark for security and their fear of divine abandonment. This moment foreshadows the transition of leadership from Eli to Samuel, as Eli's inability to perceive the situation contrasts with Samuel's emerging role as a prophet.<p><b>So the man hurried over</b><br>The man referred to here is a Benjamite who had fled from the battlefield to bring news to Shiloh. His urgency underscores the critical nature of the message he carried. The act of hurrying indicates the importance of delivering the news swiftly, as the capture of the Ark was not just a military defeat but a spiritual crisis for Israel. This urgency reflects the broader biblical theme of messengers bearing significant news, paralleling other instances where swift communication was vital, such as the resurrection of Christ.<p><b>and reported to Eli.</b><br>The report to Eli signifies the transfer of crucial information to the spiritual leader of Israel. Eli's role as high priest made him the primary recipient of such news, despite his physical frailties. This moment is pivotal, as it leads to Eli's death upon hearing the full extent of the disaster, marking the end of his leadership and the beginning of a new era under Samuel. The report also serves as a narrative device to highlight the consequences of Israel's disobedience and the fulfillment of God's judgment against Eli's house, as previously prophesied.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/e/eli.htm">Eli</a></b><br>The high priest of Israel at the time, Eli was an elderly leader who had judged Israel for 40 years. He was known for his failure to restrain his sons, Hophni and Phinehas, who were corrupt priests.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_outcry.htm">The Outcry</a></b><br>This refers to the loud lamentation and distress of the people of Israel upon hearing the news of the defeat by the Philistines and the capture of the Ark of the Covenant.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_man.htm">The Man</a></b><br>A Benjamite who escaped from the battlefield to bring the news of Israel's defeat, the death of Eli's sons, and the capture of the Ark to Shiloh.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/s/shiloh.htm">Shiloh</a></b><br>The religious center of Israel at the time, where the Ark of the Covenant was kept and where Eli served as priest.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_philistines.htm">The Philistines</a></b><br>A perennial enemy of Israel, they were a powerful sea people who often clashed with the Israelites during this period.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_consequences_of_spiritual_neglect.htm">The Consequences of Spiritual Neglect</a></b><br>Eli's failure to discipline his sons led to national disaster. Spiritual leaders and parents must take their responsibilities seriously to guide and correct those under their care.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_the_ark.htm">The Importance of the Ark</a></b><br>The Ark of the Covenant symbolized God's presence with Israel. Its capture signified a severe spiritual and national crisis, reminding us of the importance of God's presence in our lives.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/h/hearing_and_responding_to_god's_warnings.htm">Hearing and Responding to God's Warnings</a></b><br>Eli had been warned about the consequences of his inaction. We must be attentive to God's warnings in our lives and respond with repentance and obedience.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_lament_in_scripture.htm">The Role of Lament in Scripture</a></b><br>The outcry of the people reflects the biblical theme of lament. It is appropriate to express grief and seek God in times of distress, trusting in His sovereignty and justice.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_1_samuel_4.htm">Top 10 Lessons from 1 Samuel 4</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/compare_samuel's_leadership_with_ot_priestly_roles..htm">How does Samuel's leadership in 1 Samuel 7 compare with conflicting narratives about priestly authority in other Old Testament books?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_god_change_his_mind_or_not.htm">Does God change his mind? I Samuel 15:10-11, 15:35, and Genesis 6:6-7 suggest yes, while I Samuel 15:29 suggests no. How do these contradictions reconcile?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_god_male_in_numbers_23_19.htm">Is God a man according to Numbers 23:19?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_link_god's_favor_to_david's_power.htm">1 Chronicles 14:2 - Why would God's favor be linked to David's increasing power and multiple wives, despite biblical warnings against polygamy elsewhere?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/1_samuel/4.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(14) <span class= "bld">What meaneth the noise?</span>--The blind old man, we must suppose, was seated on his chair of state, surrounded by priests and Levites, who were in attendance on him as high priest and judge. As the runner drew near, and the torn dress and the dust sprinkled on his head--the symbols of disaster--became visible, the wail of woe would soon run through the place. The cry of sorrow was the first intimation to the blind Eli: he was soon to hear the details. His question was probably, in the first place, addressed to the little court standing by his throne. The narrative is so vivid we seem to hear the sound of the cries of grief and terror which Eli heard, and to see the scene of dismay and confusion which those sightless eyes were prevented from looking on.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/1_samuel/4.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 14.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">And when Eli heard the noise of the crying,</span> he asked the meaning of <span class="cmt_word">this tumult.</span> The word signifies any confused noise, as the splashing of rain (<a href="/1_kings/18-41.htm">1 Kings 18:41</a>), but especially the din made by a multitude of people (<a href="/job/39-7.htm">Job 39:7</a>). It exactly expresses here the Babel of voices, all asking news at once, which at the coming of the messenger surged around the high priest's throne. He demands the reason, and the uproar is quelled, while "the man hasted, and came and told Eli." Not <span class="cmt_word">came in,</span> for Eli was without on the wayside, but simply <span class="accented">came to Eli</span>, being summoned thither by one of the Levites in attendance. Eli, as the chief ruler, was, of course, the person whom he sought, and immediately that he knew where he was, he hasted to him. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/1_samuel/4-14.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">Eli</span><br /><span class="heb">עֵלִי֙</span> <span class="translit">(‘ê·lî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5941.htm">Strong's 5941: </a> </span><span class="str2">Eli -- a priest at Shiloh</span><br /><br /><span class="word">heard</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיִּשְׁמַ֤ע</span> <span class="translit">(way·yiš·ma‘)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8085.htm">Strong's 8085: </a> </span><span class="str2">To hear intelligently</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the outcry</span><br /><span class="heb">ק֣וֹל</span> <span class="translit">(qō·wl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6963.htm">Strong's 6963: </a> </span><span class="str2">A voice, sound</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and asked,</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיֹּ֕אמֶר</span> <span class="translit">(way·yō·mer)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> </span><span class="str2">To utter, say</span><br /><br /><span class="word">“Why</span><br /><span class="heb">מֶ֛ה</span> <span class="translit">(meh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Interrogative<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4100.htm">Strong's 4100: </a> </span><span class="str2">What?, what!, indefinitely what</span><br /><br /><span class="word">this</span><br /><span class="heb">הַזֶּ֑ה</span> <span class="translit">(haz·zeh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Pronoun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2088.htm">Strong's 2088: </a> </span><span class="str2">This, that</span><br /><br /><span class="word">commotion?”</span><br /><span class="heb">הֶהָמ֖וֹן</span> <span class="translit">(he·hā·mō·wn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1995.htm">Strong's 1995: </a> </span><span class="str2">A noise, tumult, crowd, disquietude, wealth</span><br /><br /><span class="word">So the man</span><br /><span class="heb">וְהָאִ֣ישׁ</span> <span class="translit">(wə·hā·’îš)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_376.htm">Strong's 376: </a> </span><span class="str2">A man as an individual, a male person</span><br /><br /><span class="word">hurried over</span><br /><span class="heb">מִהַ֔ר</span> <span class="translit">(mi·har)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4116.htm">Strong's 4116: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be liquid, flow easily, to hurry, promptly</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and reported</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיַּגֵּ֥ד</span> <span class="translit">(way·yag·gêḏ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5046.htm">Strong's 5046: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be conspicuous</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to Eli.</span><br /><span class="heb">לְעֵלִֽי׃</span> <span class="translit">(lə·‘ê·lî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5941.htm">Strong's 5941: </a> </span><span class="str2">Eli -- a priest at Shiloh</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/1_samuel/4-14.htm">1 Samuel 4:14 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/1_samuel/4-14.htm">1 Samuel 4:14 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/1_samuel/4-14.htm">1 Samuel 4:14 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/1_samuel/4-14.htm">1 Samuel 4:14 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/1_samuel/4-14.htm">1 Samuel 4:14 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/1_samuel/4-14.htm">1 Samuel 4:14 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/1_samuel/4-14.htm">1 Samuel 4:14 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/1_samuel/4-14.htm">1 Samuel 4:14 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/1_samuel/4-14.htm">1 Samuel 4:14 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/1_samuel/4-14.htm">1 Samuel 4:14 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/1_samuel/4-14.htm">OT History: 1 Samuel 4:14 When Eli heard the noise (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/1_samuel/4-13.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="1 Samuel 4:13"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="1 Samuel 4:13" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/1_samuel/4-15.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="1 Samuel 4:15"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="1 Samuel 4:15" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>