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Eli and His Wicked Sons
This chapter is based on 1 Samuel 2:12-36.
Eli, priest and judge in Israel, had a great influence over the
tribes of Israel, but he did not rule his own household well. He was a
permissive father, and he did not correct the evil habits and passions
of his children. Rather than have conflict with them, he would give
them their own way.
The priest and judge of Israel had not been left in darkness about
his duty to govern the children God had given to his care, but Eli
pulled back from this duty, because it involved crossing the will of
his sons, and would require punishing and denying them. He let
his children have whatever they desired, and neglected the work of
fitting them for God’s service and the duties of life.
The father became subject to the children, and his sons did not
begin to understand the character of God or the sacredness of His
law. From childhood they had been familiar with the sanctuary and
its service, but they had lost all sense of its holiness and meaning.
Eli had not restrained their disrespect for the solemn services, and
when they reached manhood they were full of the deadly fruits of
doubt and rebellion.
Though entirely unfit, they were placed as priests in the sanctuary
to minister before God. These wicked men carried their rebellion
into the service of God. The sacrifices, pointing forward to Christ’s
death, were designed to preserve the people’s faith in the coming
Redeemer, so it was absolutely essential to precisely follow the
Lord’s directions concerning them. In the peace offerings only the
fat was to be burned on the altar. A certain specified portion was
reserved for the priests, but the greater part was returned to the
offerer to eat in a sacrificial feast with friends. This would direct all
hearts in gratitude and faith to the great Sacrifice that was to take
away the sin of the world.
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