This parenthetical statement about the condition of Eli may in some languages fit better earlier in the story. Contemporary English Version moves it to a position before the content of verse 14 and then numbers verses 14 and 15 together.

His eyes were set, so that he could not see: it is said also of Ahijah in 1 Kgs 14.4 that “his eyes were set” because of his age. That is, his eyes were fixed with a blank stare. The Hebrew clearly says that Eli could not see. The reason for the Good News Translation rendering that he was “almost … blind” may be to harmonize this verse with the statement in verse 13 that he was “watching.” But this is unnecessary if the verb in that case is translated “waiting,” as is done in certain English versions.

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 .