15 who was ninety-eight years old and whose eyes had failed so that he could not see.
15 Now Eli was ninety and eight years old; and his eyes were dim,
15 Now Eli was ninety-eight years old and his eyes were set so that he could not see.
15 Eli was ninety-eight years old then, and blind.
15 Eli was ninety-eight years old, and his eyes were so dim that he could not see.
15 who was ninety-eight years old and blind.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 1 Samuel 4:15
Commentary on 1 Samuel 4:12-18
(Read 1 Samuel 4:12-18)
The defeat of the army was very grievous to Eli as a judge; the tidings of the death of his two sons, to whom he had been so indulgent, and who, as he had reason to fear, died impenitent, touched him as a father; yet there was a greater concern on his spirit. And when the messenger concluded his story with, "The ark of God is taken," he is struck to the heart, and died immediately. A man may die miserably, yet not die eternally; may come to an untimely end, yet the end be peace.