Concept:The death of Eli the priest was triggered by shocking news about the ark of God.
Explanation:A messenger from the battlefront came to Eli at Shiloh.
He told Eli that the Israelites had been defeated and that his two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, were dead.
The messenger also reported that the ark of the covenant had been captured by the Philistines.
When Eli heard that the ark of God was captured, he fell backward from his seat beside the gate.
Being old and heavy, he broke his neck and died (1 Samuel 4:18).
Among the three sad reports, the capture of the ark was the final and direct cause of his death.
Answer:C. the capture of the ark