1 Samuel 4:12

“And there ran a man of Benjamin out of the army, etc.] Out of the rank in which he was, before the whole army was quite broken up. This was a young man as Josephus f83 says, which is highly probable; though not at all to be depended on is what the Jews f84 say, that this was Saul, later king of Israel: and came to Shiloh the same day; which, according to Bunting f85, was forty two miles from Ebenezer, near to which the battle was fought; and that it was a long way is pretty plain by the remark made, that this messenger came the same day the battle was fought; though not at such a distance as some Jewish writers say, some sixty, some one hundred and twenty miles f86; which is not at all…”

“Runners who were swift of foot, and could go long distances were important and well-known persons (compare 2 Samuel 18:19-31). There seem to have been always professional runners to act as messengers with armies in the field (2 Kings 11:4, 2 Kings 11:6,2 Kings 11:19, the King James Version “guards”). Earth upon his head - In token of bitter grief. Compare the marginal references. return to 'Top of Page'”

“4:12 had torn his clothes and put dust on his head: This description indicates grief and loss (e.g., Josh 7:6; 2 Sam 1:2; 15:32; Job 2:12).”

“with his clothes rent: These, as we have already remarked, were the general signs of sorrow and distress. Sa2 1:2 with earth: Jos 7:6; Sa2 13:19, Sa2 15:32; Neh 9:1; Job 2:12 1 Kings (1 Samuel) 4:13”

“The tidings of this calamity were brought by a Benjaminite, who came as a messenger of evil tidings, with his clothes rent, and earth upon his head - a sign of the deepest mourning (see Jos 7:6), \- to Shiloh, where the aged Eli was sitting upon a seat by the side (יך is a copyist's error for יד) of the way watching; for his heart trembled for the ark of God, which had been taken from the sanctuary into the camp without the command of God. At these tidings the whole city cried out with terror, so that Eli heard the sound of the cry, and asked the reason of this loud noise (or tumult), whilst the messenger was hurrying towards him with the news. 1 Kings (1 Samuel) 4:15”