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1 Samuel 4:13
ESV When he arrived, Eli was sitting on his seat by the road watching, for his heart trembled for the ark of God. And when the man came into the city and told the news, all the city cried out.
NIV When he arrived, there was Eli sitting on his chair by the side of the road, watching, because his heart feared for the ark of God. When the man entered the town and told what had happened, the whole town sent up a cry.
NASB When he came, behold, Eli was sitting on his seat by the road keeping watch, because his heart was anxious about the ark of God. And the man came to give a report in the city, and all the city cried out.
CSB When he arrived, there was Eli sitting on his chair beside the road waiting, because he was anxious about the ark of God. When the man entered the city to give a report, the entire city cried out.
NLT Eli was waiting beside the road to hear the news of the battle, for his heart trembled for the safety of the Ark of God. When the messenger arrived and told what had happened, an outcry resounded throughout the town.
KJV 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.

What does 1 Samuel 4:13 mean?

Eli sits by the roadside waiting for news of the battle with the Philistines taking place near Ebenezer, some distance from the tabernacle in Shiloh. He likely was the one who agrees to let the ark be taken to the camp of the Israelites. This was in hopes that having it nearby would cause the Lord to give them victory. Yet Eli seems to have been uneasy with that decision. His heart is said to be fearful for the ark of God, the most precious item in the tabernacle that he was responsible for overseeing.

The runner, a man from the tribe of Benjamin (1 Samuel 4:12), arrives at Shiloh from the battlefield. This distance was nearly the length of a modern athletic marathon. He begins telling everyone he meets as he enters the city: Israel is defeated. Tens of thousands are dead. The ark of God is captured. Eli's sons have been killed. All the people begin to cry out in shock and mourning at the terrible report.
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