The words this which shall befall your two sons is awkward English and is reworded in New Revised Standard Version as “the fate of your two sons.” Others may say something like “what happens to your two sons” (New International Version), but in some cases the whole verse may need to be restructured along the lines of Good News Translation, or possibly of New Century Version, which uses two separate sentences: “I will give you a sign. Both your sons, Hophni and Phinehas, will die on the same day.”

A sign is a clear indication or proof that what the prophet has just said is true. Eli himself will not live to see the tragedies prophesied in verses 31-33, but the death of his two sons will be a sign that these things will indeed happen.

Hophni and Phinehas were first mentioned by name in 1.3. Though they are in focus in the account in verses 12-17, they are not mentioned by name there.

Both of them … on the same day: see 4.11 for the realization of this prophecy.

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on the First and Second Books of Samuel, Volume 1. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2001. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .