The Wicked Sons of Eli While Samuel Remains True
October 24, 2021
Commentary
Eli’s sons were sons of the Devil (v. 12). Because they were priests, they took advantage of their position. They took part of the sacrifices before they were offered to God on the altar and before the fat was burned off, which was against God’s laws (Lev. 3:3-5) (vv. 13-17). In addition, they were sleeping with the women who served them (v. 22). The sad part was that Eli did little or nothing to stop them (vv. 23-24). He just let his sons ruin their lives and the lives of others, as this undermined the integrity of the whole priesthood. This may seem harsh but, according to Numbers 15:22-31, Eli should have responded by executing his sons. Even in this bad environment, Samuel is growing in favor with God (vv. 18-21) and (v. 25-26). He is dedicated to God and backed by his mother’s prayers. During this time God was good to Hannah. She had five other children but she never forgot Samuel during all those years.
God sends a prophet to old Eli who told him that God was through with his as the high priest and judgment is coming to his sons (vv. 27-34). It is evident, as we read this portion of scripture, that Eli was not just a father who needed to deal with his rebellious sons but, in a more serious vain, he was the high priest who was ignoring the sins of priests who were under his jurisdiction. This was a very serious matter and, as a result, the Lord took the necessary disciplinary action that Eli would not take. Eli was guilty of honoring his sons above God by letting them continue in their sinful ways. As religious leaders, they may have thought they could get away with it but God, who is just, brought judgement. Eli and his sons were not faithful, so God said He would choose someone else who was (v. 35). This prophecy shows that the priesthood did not die with Eli. Historically, after the death of Eli, the priestly functions were taken over by Samuel who had been trained by Eli. However, only gradually was confidence restored to the priesthood.
Application
I must not try to rationalize away God’s standards. If there is ever any situation in my life, family or work where I know things are wrong and I allow them to continue I will be treading on dangerous ground, just as Eli was.
1 Samuel 2:12– 36 (NET)
12 But the sons of Eli were wicked men. They did not acknowledge the Lord’s authority. 13 This was the priests’ routine with the people. Whenever anyone was making a sacrifice, the priest’s attendant would come with a three-pronged fork in his hand, just as the meat was boiling. 14 He would jab it into the basin, kettle, cauldron, or pot. Everything that the fork would bring up the priest would take for himself. This is how they used to treat all the Israelites who came there to Shiloh.
15 Also, before they burned the fat the priest’s attendant would come and say to the person who was making the sacrifice, “Give some meat for the priest to roast! He won’t accept boiled meat from you, but only raw.” 16 If the individual said to him, “They should certainly burn the fat away first, then take for yourself whatever you wish,” then he would say, “No! Give it now! If not, I’ll take it by force!” 17 The sin of these young men was very great in the Lord’s sight, for they treated the Lord’s offering with contempt.
18 Now Samuel was ministering with the favor of the Lord. The boy was dressed in a linen ephod. 19 His mother used to make him a small robe and bring it to him from time to time when she would go up with her husband to make the annual sacrifice. 20 Eli would bless Elkanah and his wife saying, “May the Lord establish descendants for you from this woman in place of the one that she dedicated to the Lord.” Then they would go to their home. 21 And indeed the Lord attended to Hannah. She got pregnant and gave birth to three sons and two daughters. But the boy Samuel grew up before the Lord.
22 Eli was very old. And he would hear about everything that his sons used to do to all the people of Israel and how they used to go to bed with the women who were stationed at the entrance to the tent of meeting. 23 So he said to them, “Why do you do these things, these evil things that I hear about from all these people? 24 No, my sons! For the report that I hear circulating among the Lord’s people is not good. 25 If a man sins against a man, one may appeal to God on his behalf. But if a man sins against the Lord, who can intercede for him?” But Eli’s sons would not listen to their father. Indeed the Lord had decided to kill them. 26 However, the boy Samuel was growing up and finding favor both with the Lord and with people.
27 Then a man of God came to Eli and said to him, “This is what the Lord has said: ‘I plainly revealed myself to your ancestor’s house when they were slaves to the house of Pharaoh in Egypt. 28 I chose your ancestor from all the tribes of Israel to be my priest, to offer sacrifice on my altar, to burn incense, and to bear the ephod before me. I gave to your ancestor’s house all the fire offerings made by the Israelites. 29 Why are you scorning my sacrifice and my offering that I commanded for my dwelling place? You have honored your sons more than you have me by having made yourselves fat from the best parts of all the offerings of my people Israel.’
30 “Therefore the Lord, the God of Israel, says, ‘I really did say that your house and your ancestor’s house would serve me forever.’ But now the Lord says, ‘May it never be! For I will honor those who honor me, but those who despise me will be cursed! 31 In fact, days are coming when I will remove your strength and the strength of your father’s house. There will not be an old man in your house! 32 You will see trouble in my dwelling place! Israel will experience blessings, but there will not be an old man in your house for all time. 33 Any man of yours that I do not cut off from my altar, I will cause his eyes to fail and will cause him grief. All those born to your family will die by the sword of man. 34 This will be a confirming sign for you that will be fulfilled through your two sons, Hophni and Phinehas: in a single day they both will die! 35 Then I will raise up for myself a faithful priest. He will do what is in my heart and soul. I will build for him a lasting dynasty, and he will serve my chosen one for all time. 36 Everyone who remains in your house will come to bow before him for a little money and for a scrap of bread. Each will say, “Assign me to a priestly task so I can eat a scrap of bread.”’”