Ichabod

19Eli's son's wife, the wife of Phinehas, was going to have a baby very soon. She heard that the ark of God was taken. She heard that her husband and his father were dead. Then she bent down and had her baby, because the pains came.

And his daughter in law, Phinehas’ wife, was with child, near to be delivered: and when she heard the tidings that the ark of God was taken, and that her father in law and her husband were dead, she bowed herself and travailed; for her pains came upon her.

NoteIn those days women helped each other when a baby was born. They stayed close and spoke kind words.

20She was dying. The women helping her said, "Don't be afraid. You have a son!" But she did not answer them. She paid no attention.

And about the time of her death the women that stood by her said unto her, Fear not; for thou hast born a son. But she answered not, neither did she regard it.

21She named the baby Ichabod. She said, "The glory is gone from Israel." She said this because the ark of God was taken. She also said it because her husband and his father were dead.

And she named the child Ichabod, saying, The glory is departed from Israel: because the ark of God was taken, and because of her father in law and her husband.

NoteThe name Ichabod means "the glory is gone." Glory means God's bright greatness being with his people. The mother chose the name because the ark had been taken away.

22She said, "The glory is gone from Israel. The ark of God has been taken away."

And she said, The glory is departed from Israel: for the ark of God is taken.