When he made mention of the ark of God— Eli supported himself under his private calamities; but he no sooner heard of the loss of the ark, than his heart failed him, and his concern for religion affected him in the deepest manner; for, except that he was too indulgent a father, he appears to have been a worthy man. He judged Israel forty years, which certainly aggravated the calamity of his family. The higher and the longer he was elevated, the more terrible was his fall. The Jews observe, that on the day of his death God forsook his tabernacle in Shiloh, having delivered his strength into captivity. See Psalms 78:60. Mr. Saurin observes respecting Eli, that he was more unhappy than blameable, if one may judge of his misfortunes at the tribunal of flesh and blood; since his crimes proceeded less from a spirit of rebellion against the divine laws, than from a principle of weakness for a family towards which indulgence seems so excusable. But the greater our tenderness for our children, the more is it likely to excite the wrath of God when loosed from those ties which unite us to him; ties to which all others should give place, and which will ever be most pleasing to reasonable creatures, whom God permits to love him, and whom he himself deigns to honour with his love.
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.