1 Samuel 4:16 net — The man said to Eli,“I am the one who came from the battle lines! Just today I fled from the battle lines!” Eli asked,“…

NET Bible

"The man said to Eli,“I am the one who came from the battle lines! Just today I fled from the battle lines!” Eli asked,“How did things go, my son?”"

— 1 Samuel 4:16, NET Bible

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1 Samuel 4:16 in Other Translations

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1 Samuel 4 — Context

13

When he arrived in Shiloh, Eli was sitting in his chair on the lookout by the side of the road, for he was very worried about the ark of God. As the man entered the city to give his report, the whole city cried out.

14

When Eli heard the outcry, he said,“What is this commotion?” The man quickly came and told Eli.

15

Now Eli was ninety-eight years old and his eyes looked straight ahead; he was unable to see.

16

The man said to Eli,“I am the one who came from the battle lines! Just today I fled from the battle lines!” Eli asked,“How did things go, my son?”

17

The messenger replied,“Israel has fled from the Philistines! The army has suffered a great defeat! Your two sons, Hophni and Phineas, are dead! The ark of God has been captured!”

18

When he mentioned the ark of God, Eli fell backward from his chair beside the gate. He broke his neck and died, for he was old and heavy. He had judged Israel for forty years.

19

His daughter-in-law, the wife of Phineas, was pregnant and close to giving birth. When she heard that the ark of God was captured and that her father-in-law and her husband were dead, she doubled over and gave birth. But her labor pains were too much for her.

1 Samuel 4:16 — Frequently Asked Questions

7 questions
What does 1 Samuel 4:16 say?
1 Samuel 4:16 in the NET Bible reads: “The man said to Eli,“I am the one who came from the battle lines! Just today I fled from the battle lines!” Eli asked,“How did things go, my son?””
Where is 1 Samuel 4:16 in the Bible?
1 Samuel 4:16 is found in the Old Testament, in the book of 1 Samuel, chapter 4, verse 16.
Who wrote 1 Samuel?
1 Samuel is traditionally attributed to Anonymous (traditionally Samuel, Nathan, and Gad). It was written c. 930–722 BC.
What is the book of 1 Samuel about?
1 Samuel marks Israel's transition from judges to kings. It traces the births and ministries of the prophet Samuel, the rise and tragic fall of Saul as Israel's first king, and the anointing of the shepherd boy David, whose faith makes him a man after God's own heart.
What are the major themes of 1 Samuel?
1 Samuel explores themes including Kingship, Prophet, Faith vs. Fear, God's Sovereign Choice, Anointing. These themes shape the meaning and context of 1 Samuel 4:16.
What translation should I read 1 Samuel 4:16 in?
1 Samuel 4:16 is available on GodsGoodBook in the King James Version (KJV), American Standard Version (ASV), World English Bible (WEB), NET Bible, Young's Literal Translation, Darby Bible, Douay-Rheims Bible, and the Bible in Basic English. Each translation reflects different translation philosophies — use the translation picker on this page to compare them, or browse our full translations directory.
How can I memorize 1 Samuel 4:16?
1 Samuel 4:16 reads (NET): “The man said to Eli,“I am the one who came from the battle lines! Just today I fled from the battle lines!” Eli asked,“How did things go, my son?”” Read it aloud, break it into short phrases, repeat each phrase three times before adding the next, then put the phrases together. Reading it in multiple translations (above) often helps the meaning settle.
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