That they might bring from thence the ark; which it may seem they should not have done without asking counsel of God, which they might easily have done by Samuel. Hophni and Phinehas were there; either, first, in the camp; or rather, secondly, in Shiloh. With the ark; attending upon it, instead of their aged father.
Related Commentaries of 1 Samuel 4:4
1 Samuel 4:4
4 So the people sent to Shiloh, that they might bring from thence the ark of the covenant of the LORD of hosts, which dwelleth between the cherubims: and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were there with the ark of the covenant of God.