1 Kingdoms (1 Samuel) 4:22Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Let us examine the Scriptures, and we will note that the righteous women did not endure childbirth in anguish, apart from Rachel, who, while journeying to the arena, where horses were being sold to Egypt, suffered greatly to deliver a son whom his father named “the son of the right hand.” In contrast, Eve, who was expelled from the Garden of Eden and was told, “In sorrow you shall bring forth children,” experienced pain in her labor. Phinehas’ wife, like the afflicted woman mentioned in the Gospel, who was unable to stand straight, gave birth upon hearing the news that the ark of God had been captured and that her loved ones had fallen.

His priests were struck down by the sword, and the widows mourned not (Psalm 77:64). It is noted that during the time of exile, the sons of Eli the priest met their end at the hands of invaders. One of them, Phinehas’ wife, the daughter-in-law of Eli, became a widow after a premature birth. She left this world without a mourning when death claimed them all. We can infer that this fate befell many widows within the nation, as this truth is attested by the sacred text. Furthermore, we recognize that every detail recorded in Holy Scripture serves a purpose and is significant.

The enduring symbol of God's presence with the Israelites was the ark of the covenant, which was enveloped by angels, from where God communicated His responses (see Exodus 25:22). Thus, when the Philistines captured the ark of the covenant, the people mourned, exclaiming, "The glory (of God) has departed from Israel, for the ark of the Lord has been taken."