Definition: 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.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from 1 Samuel 4:19. It’s a pretty intense and dramatic passage about a woman during a time of great upheaval. Here's a simple explanation: The Basic Story: A Woman in Labor: The verse describes a woman named Phinehas (pronounced "Phen-ah-s") who was pregnant. The Ark is Taken: A massive, incredibly important event happened – the Ark of God, which held precious religious items, was taken away by the Israelites. This was a huge deal because it meant the end of an era and a shift in power. Death of Husband & Father-in-Law: This is where it gets really significant. The husband and father-in-law died. What happened next? She Began to Worry: Phinehas’s daughter-in-law, seeing the news of these events, was distraught. She began to worry deeply about her future. She Worked Hard: As a result of her worries, she worked very hard and struggled with pain. It's like she was trying to cope with immense grief and uncertainty. In essence, this verse describes a woman experiencing profound sadness and hardship because of the loss of her husband and father-in-law. It’s a moment of intense emotion and suffering in a time of crisis. Important Note: This is a very Old Testament passage. It's often interpreted as a story about a woman who was incredibly burdened by grief, reflecting on the events that had occurred. --- Do you want me to: Explain another verse? Discuss the significance of this passage in the context of the Bible? Explore how this story relates to other themes (like loss or suffering)?