He fell from off the seat backward; being so oppressed with grief and astonishment, that he had no strength left to support him. By the side of the gate, to wit, the gate of the city, which was most convenient for the speedy understanding of all occurrences. He was an old man, and heavy; old, and therefore weak, and apt to fall; heavy, and therefore his fall more dangerous and pernicious. He had judged Israel; he was their supreme governor, both in civils and spirituals.
Related Commentaries of 1 Samuel 4:18
1 Samuel 4:18
18 And 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 brake, and he died: for he was an old man, and heavy. And he had judged Israel forty years.