13 Now when he came, there was Eli, sitting on ^aa seat by the wayside watching, for his heart² trembled for the ark of God. And when the man came into the city and told it, all the city cried out.  ‡

14 When Eli heard the noise of the outcry, he said, “What does the sound of this tumult mean?” And the man came quickly and told Eli.

16 Then the man said to Eli, “I am he who came from the battle. And I fled today from the battle line.” And he said, ^a“What happened, my son?”  ‡

17 So the messenger answered and said, “Israel has fled before the Philistines, and there has been a great slaughter among the people. Also your two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, are dead; and the ark of God has been captured.”