A messenger “with his garments ripped apart ” appeared before High Priest Eli to inform him that the Israelites had been defeated in battle, Eli’s two sons had been killed, and the ark of the covenant had been captured.
Ülempreester Eeli juurde tuli sõnumitooja, „riided lõhki käristatud ”, ning andis talle teada, et iisraellased olid lahingus lüüa saanud, Eeli kaks poega olid tapetud ja seaduselaegas ära võetud.