1 samuel 4:16 - The man said to Eli, “I am he who came out of the army, and I fled today out of the army.” He said, “How did the matter go, my son?”
Select Bible Verse
Filter Categories
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
R
S
T
U
V
W
What does "1 samuel 4:16" mean?
This verse is from a pivotal moment in the book of 1 Samuel, describing the immediate aftermath of a devastating defeat for the Israelites at the hands of the Philistines. Let's break it down:
"The man said to Eli, “I am he who came out of the army, and I fled today out of the army.” This shows the man identifying himself as a soldier who deserted the battle. He didn't just wander over; he fled, implying fear, urgency, and perhaps shame. He specifically emphasizes that he came from the army and that the flight was recent ("today"), highlighting the immediacy and importance of his message.
"He said, “How did the matter go, my son?”" Eli, an old and almost blind priest and judge of Israel, is anxious for news from the battlefield. The phrase "How did the matter go?" is a euphemism for "What happened in the battle? What was the outcome?". Eli calls him "my son," showing a position of authority but also perhaps a paternal affection or concern for the young soldier. It highlights the family relationship and leadership role of Eli.
In essence, this verse depicts:
A situation of crisis: The soldier's arrival signifies a significant event.
Eli's authority and concern: As a leader, he immediately seeks information about the battle.
Foreshadowing of bad news: The soldier's panicked flight strongly suggests a defeat for the Israelites.
The verse sets the stage for the soldier's devastating report in the following verses, which includes the capture of the Ark of the Covenant and the deaths of Eli's sons, Hophni and Phinehas.
1 samuel 4:16 - The man said to Eli, “I am he who came out of the army, and I fled today out of the army.” He said, “How did the matter go, my son?”
What does "1 samuel 4:16" mean?
This verse is from a pivotal moment in the book of 1 Samuel, describing the immediate aftermath of a devastating defeat for the Israelites at the hands of the Philistines. Let's break it down:
"The man said to Eli, “I am he who came out of the army, and I fled today out of the army.” This shows the man identifying himself as a soldier who deserted the battle. He didn't just wander over; he fled, implying fear, urgency, and perhaps shame. He specifically emphasizes that he came from the army and that the flight was recent ("today"), highlighting the immediacy and importance of his message.
"He said, “How did the matter go, my son?”" Eli, an old and almost blind priest and judge of Israel, is anxious for news from the battlefield. The phrase "How did the matter go?" is a euphemism for "What happened in the battle? What was the outcome?". Eli calls him "my son," showing a position of authority but also perhaps a paternal affection or concern for the young soldier. It highlights the family relationship and leadership role of Eli.
In essence, this verse depicts:
A situation of crisis: The soldier's arrival signifies a significant event.
Eli's authority and concern: As a leader, he immediately seeks information about the battle.
Foreshadowing of bad news: The soldier's panicked flight strongly suggests a defeat for the Israelites.
The verse sets the stage for the soldier's devastating report in the following verses, which includes the capture of the Ark of the Covenant and the deaths of Eli's sons, Hophni and Phinehas.