Tidings of Doom

Following the Israelites’devastating defeat at Aphek and the capture of the ark of the covenant by the Philistines, the repercussions of these terrible events ripple outward, causing even more grief.

First, the news comes to Shiloh. We are told that a man of the tribe of Benjamin runs with the news. It is not clear whether he is simply fleeing for his life, heading home along a road that passes through Shiloh, or acting as an appointed messenger. We’re also told that his clothes are torn and there is dirt on his head, but it is not clear whether these are effects of the battle or the traditional (and appropriate) self-inflicted signs of mourning. In any case, he reaches Shiloh safely and spreads his tidings of woe, causing consternation and disbelief throughout “all the city.” The reaction among the people is called an “outcry” and is described by Eli as a ” ‘tumult.’ ” The news of the defeat apparently sparks something close to panic in Shiloh.

Eli himself is sitting by the road awaiting word. His overriding concern is not for the armies of Israel or even his sons, but the ark of the covenant. Perhaps, knowing God’s prophecy concerning the destruction of Shiloh (2:32), he is wondering whether the hour has come. Or perhaps he is regretting that he did not use his authority to prevent the ark being taken from the place God had chosen as His “dwelling place” (Deut. 12:5). Being 98 years old and essentially blind, he does not see the messenger arrive, but the tumult in the city alerts him that something is happening. In response to his inquiry, the messenger comes to him and tells him what has befallen: Israel has fled from the Philistines with great loss of life, Hophni and Phinehas are dead, and the ark of God has been taken. Our text specifically notes that it is the latter news which most shocks the high priest. When he hears that the ark of the covenant has fallen into the hands of godless pagans, he apparently swoons and falls backward off his seat. Because he is quite heavy, the fall snaps his neck and kills him. So ends Eli’s 40-year judgeship over Israel.

Eli knew that this was coming. God had prophesied it and warned him through Samuel that it was about to happen. But when the judgment of God actually came, Eli still was stunned. He was amazed at the lengths to which God would go in response to His people’s sin.