1 Samuel 4:13

Eli sat upon a seat Was sitting upon the seat, (or, his seat). We must imagine him sitting upon his official seat by the outer gate of the tabernacle enclosure (1 Samuel 4:18, cp. 1 Samuel 1:9, note), not by the town gate on the road by which the messenger entered, for the news does not reach Eli until after it has been published in the town (1 Samuel 4:14).

The Sept. represents a slightly different text, "Eli was on his seat by the side of the gate, watching the way."

all the city cried out The opening stanzas of Aytoun's ballad "Edinburgh after Flodden" in Lays of the Scottish Cavaliersgive a vivid picture of the effect of the news of a defeat.

"A murmur long and loud,

And a cry of fear and wonder

Bursts from out the bending crowd.

For they see in battered harness

Only one hard-stricken man …"