Topical Encyclopedia Eli, a significant figure in the history of Israel, served as the high priest and judge of Israel for forty years. His death is a pivotal moment recorded in the First Book of Samuel, marking the end of an era and the beginning of a new chapter in Israel's history.The account of Eli's death is found in 1 Samuel 4. During this time, Israel was engaged in battle with the Philistines, a formidable enemy. The Israelites, suffering defeat, decided to bring the Ark of the Covenant from Shiloh to the battlefield, hoping it would secure victory. Eli's sons, Hophni and Phinehas, accompanied the Ark, but their presence did not bring the desired outcome. Instead, the Philistines captured the Ark, and both sons were killed in the battle. Eli, who was ninety-eight years old and described as having poor eyesight, awaited news of the battle while sitting by the road. His heart was anxious, particularly for the Ark of God. A Benjamite messenger, having fled from the battlefield, arrived in Shiloh with torn clothes and dust on his head, signs of mourning and distress. He relayed the tragic news to the city, causing an outcry that reached Eli's ears. The messenger reported to Eli, saying, "Israel has fled before the Philistines, and there has been a great slaughter among the people. Your two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, are dead, and the Ark of God has been captured" (1 Samuel 4:17). Upon hearing that the Ark of God had been taken, Eli fell backward off his seat by the gate. His fall resulted in a broken neck, leading to his death. The text notes that Eli was old and heavy, which contributed to the fatality of the fall. Eli's death was not merely a personal tragedy but a national one, symbolizing the spiritual decline of Israel under his leadership. His demise, coupled with the loss of the Ark, signified a profound moment of crisis for the nation. The capture of the Ark represented a severe blow to Israel's religious and national identity, as the Ark was the most sacred object, symbolizing God's presence among His people. Eli's legacy is complex. While he served faithfully for many years, his failure to restrain his sons and their corrupt practices at the tabernacle brought judgment upon his house. The prophecy against Eli's family, delivered by a man of God and later confirmed by the young Samuel, was fulfilled with the deaths of Hophni and Phinehas and Eli's own demise. This event set the stage for the rise of Samuel, who would lead Israel as both prophet and judge, guiding the nation back to faithfulness under God's covenant. Nave's Topical Index 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 broke, and he died: for he was an old man, and heavy. And he had judged Israel forty years. Nave's Topical Index Library Death of Eli and his Sons. How under Eli's Government of the Israelites Booz Married Ruth ... Herein is Declared what Befell the Sons of Eli, the Ark, and the ... Phenomena Accompanying the Death of Christ: the Earthquake the ... Concerning the Birth of Samuel; and How He Foretold the Calamity ... How, after the Death of Joshua their Commander, the Israelites ... Of those Things which a Man of God Spake by the Spirit to Eli the ... How David, when He had Twice the Opportunity of Killing Saul did ... How David Fled to Ahimelech and Afterwards to the Kings of the ... Samuel --The Child of the Temple. Resources Who was Eli in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWho was Samuel in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org Who was Hannah in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Eli: His Benediction Upon Hannah Eli: His Solicitude for the Ark Eli: Indulgent to his Corrupt Sons Eli: Misjudges and Mistakenly Rebukes Hannah Eli: Officiates when Samuel is Presented at the Tabernacle Eli: Prophecies of Judgments Upon his House Related Terms Eli-e-ho-e'nai (2 Occurrences) |
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