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1 Samuel 4:20
ESV And about the time of her death the women attending her said to her, "Do not be afraid, for you have borne a son." But she did not answer or pay attention.
NIV As she was dying, the women attending her said, "Don’t despair; you have given birth to a son." But she did not respond or pay any attention.
NASB And about the time of her death the women who were standing by her said to her, 'Do not be afraid, for you have given birth to a son.' But she did not answer or pay attention.
CSB As she was dying, the women taking care of her said, "Don’t be afraid. You’ve given birth to a son!" But she did not respond or pay attention.
NLT She died in childbirth, but before she passed away the midwives tried to encourage her. 'Don’t be afraid,' they said. 'You have a baby boy!' But she did not answer or pay attention to them.
KJV 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.
NKJV And about the time of her death the women who stood by her said to her, “Do not fear, for you have borne a son.” But she did not answer, nor did she regard it.

What does 1 Samuel 4:20 mean?

Along with his brother, Phinehas has been called a worthless man who did not know the Lord (1 Samuel 2:12). He abused his power as priest to bully those bringing sacrifices into giving him the best cuts of meat, which was blasphemy against God (1 Samuel 2:13–17; 3:13). He slept with women who came to serve at the tabernacle (1 Samuel 2:22). He had been marked for death by the Lord Himself (1 Samuel 2:34).

According to the Lord, Phinehas deserved to die. Still, it's easy to feel sympathy for his likely much younger widow in her mourning for her husband and her father-in-law and for the very glory of Israel. All that news has caused her to go into premature labor or to experience complications from the delivery of her son. The women helping her try to encourage her with good news: Your baby boy is born. He is apparently healthy.

The attendants tell the young woman not to be afraid, but she will not be comforted. She knows she is dying and that, from her perspective, all is lost. With the last of her strength, she will give her son a name commemorating this tragic turn of events (1 Samuel 4:21–22).
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