Chapter
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31
Verse
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22

1 Samuel 4:19
ESV Now his daughter-in-law, the wife of Phinehas, was pregnant, about to give birth. And when she heard the news that the ark of God was captured, and that her father-in-law and her husband were dead, she bowed and gave birth, for her pains came upon her.
NIV His daughter-in-law, the wife of Phinehas, was pregnant and near the time of delivery. When she heard the news that the ark of God had been captured and that her father-in-law and her husband were dead, she went into labor and gave birth, but was overcome by her labor pains.
NASB Now his daughter-in-law, Phinehas’ wife, was pregnant and about to give birth; and when she heard the news that the ark of God had been taken and that her father-in-law and her husband had died, she kneeled down and gave birth, because her pains came upon her.
CSB Eli's daughter-in-law, the wife of Phinehas, was pregnant and about to give birth. When she heard the news about the capture of God's ark and the deaths of her father-in-law and her husband, she collapsed and gave birth because her labor pains came on her.
NLT Eli’s daughter-in-law, the wife of Phinehas, was pregnant and near her time of delivery. When she heard that the Ark of God had been captured and that her father-in-law and husband were dead, she went into labor and gave birth.
KJV And his daughter in law, Phinehas' wife, was with child, near to be delivered: and when she heard the tidings that the ark of God was taken, and that her father in law and her husband were dead, she bowed herself and travailed; for her pains came upon her.

What does 1 Samuel 4:19 mean?

The story of this tragic day continues to grow worse. Sometimes shocking news can hit like a physical blow. That seems to have happened for Eli. When the runner from the battle with the Philistines told the old priest that the war was lost, the army was gone, his sons had been killed, and the ark had been captured, Eli fell over in his chair backwards like he'd been struck. He broke his neck and died (1 Samuel 4:12–18).

Now we learn that Eli's son Phinehas had a wife who was pregnant and nearly due to give birth. She has just learned that the ark of the covenant has been captured by the enemy and her husband and father-in-law are dead. She, too, receives the news in a way that causes her body to physically react. She immediately goes into what is apparently premature labor. The word for "bowed" literally means "crouched," which would have been the normal position for giving birth in this era. Her baby, a son, is quickly delivered, but she will not survive (1 Samuel 4:20) much beyond giving the boy a name mourning the loss of the ark (1 Samuel 4:21–22).
Expand
Expand
Expand
What is the Gospel?
Download the app:
BibleRef.com is part of Got Questions Ministries

For answers to your Bible questions, please visit