A comparison with 2 Samuel 18:4 explains the exact meaning of the “side of the gate” and Eli’s position. His seat, or throne, was witho…

He fell from off the seat backward. —The compiler of these books was not motivated by any friendly feeling toward the hig…

And it came to pass, when he made mention of the ark of God ,
&c.] Of the taking of that, it struck him to the heart…

The defeat of the army was very distressing to Eli as a judge; the news of the death of his two sons, to whom he had been so indulgent, and who, as…