1 Samuel 4:13
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.
Original Language Analysis
בָּ֚א
And when he came
H935
בָּ֚א
And when he came
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
1 of 23
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
יֹשֵׁ֨ב
sat
H3427
יֹשֵׁ֨ב
sat
Strong's:
H3427
Word #:
4 of 23
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
עַֽל
H5921
עַֽל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
5 of 23
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
הַכִּסֵּ֜א
upon a seat
H3678
הַכִּסֵּ֜א
upon a seat
Strong's:
H3678
Word #:
6 of 23
properly, covered, i.e., a throne (as canopied)
יַ֥ד
H5221
דֶּ֙רֶךְ֙
by the wayside
H1870
דֶּ֙רֶךְ֙
by the wayside
Strong's:
H1870
Word #:
8 of 23
a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
מְצַפֶּ֔ה
watching
H6822
מְצַפֶּ֔ה
watching
Strong's:
H6822
Word #:
9 of 23
properly, to lean forward, i.e., to peer into the distance; by implication, to observe, await
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
10 of 23
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
הָיָ֤ה
H1961
הָיָ֤ה
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
11 of 23
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
לִבּוֹ֙
for his heart
H3820
לִבּוֹ֙
for his heart
Strong's:
H3820
Word #:
12 of 23
the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything
עַ֖ל
H5921
עַ֖ל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
14 of 23
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
הָֽאֱלֹהִ֑ים
of God
H430
הָֽאֱלֹהִ֑ים
of God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
16 of 23
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
וְהָאִ֗ישׁ
And when the man
H376
וְהָאִ֗ישׁ
And when the man
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
17 of 23
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
בָּ֚א
And when he came
H935
בָּ֚א
And when he came
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
18 of 23
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
לְהַגִּ֣יד
and told
H5046
לְהַגִּ֣יד
and told
Strong's:
H5046
Word #:
19 of 23
properly, to front, i.e., stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to manifest; figuratively, to announce (always by word of mouth to
הָעִֽיר׃
into the city
H5892
הָעִֽיר׃
into the city
Strong's:
H5892
Word #:
20 of 23
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
וַתִּזְעַ֖ק
cried out
H2199
וַתִּזְעַ֖ק
cried out
Strong's:
H2199
Word #:
21 of 23
to shriek (from anguish or danger); by analogy, (as a herald) to announce or convene publicly
Cross References
1 Samuel 1:9So Hannah rose up after they had eaten in Shiloh, and after they had drunk. Now Eli the priest sat upon a seat by a post of the temple of the LORD.1 Samuel 4:18And it came to pass, when he made mention of the ark of God, that he fell from off the seat backward by the side of the gate, and his neck brake, and he died: for he was an old man, and heavy. And he had judged Israel forty years.
Historical Context
Eli's position 'by the wayside' suggests he stationed himself where he could intercept news from the battle. His trembling heart indicates awareness that the Ark's removal from Shiloh violated proper procedure and risked divine displeasure.
Questions for Reflection
- What does Eli's concern for the Ark reveal about his heart despite his failures?
- How does physical blindness symbolize spiritual condition in this narrative?
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Analysis & Commentary
Eli sits 'by the wayside watching,' heart trembling for the Ark. Despite his failures, Eli's concern for the Ark shows genuine devotion to God's honor. The narrator emphasizes this: 'his heart trembled for the ark of God.' When the messenger arrives and the city cries out, Eli hears but cannot see - his physical blindness now fully symbolic. The aged priest awaits news that will confirm both his worst fears and God's certain judgment.