This chapter is a continuation of the previous chapter. The chapter begins with Hannah offering a prayer to the Lord for blessing her with a child, as she and her husband, Elkanah, drop off Samuel to Eli. And the chapter ends with the Lord cursing Eli’s family for the wickedness of his two sons and his lack of discipline.
After Hannah’s prayer, her and her husband returned home without their son, and Samuel assisted Eli and became the Lord’s helper.
“Now the sons of Eli were scoundrels who had no respect for the Lord or for their duties as priests. Whenever anyone offered a sacrifice, Eli’s sons would send over a servant with a three-pronged fork. While the meat of the sacrificed animal was still boiling, the servant would stick the fork into the pot and demand that whatever it brought up be given to Eli’s sons.” (1 Samuel 2:12-14) Sometimes they would take meat before the fat was burned, and the Lord was not pleased with the sin of these men.
Each year, Hannah and her husband got a chance to see Samuel when they came for sacrifice, and each time, Eli would bless them with a prayer for more children to replace the one she gave to the Lord. And He did; the Lord gave Hannah three sons and 2 daughters, and Samuel grew up in the presence of the Lord.
“Now Eli was very old, but he was aware of what his sons were doing to the people of Israel. He knew, for instance, that his sons were seducing the young women who assisted at the entrance of the Tabernacle. Eli said to them, “I have been hearing reports from the people about the wicked things you are doing. Why do you keep sinning? You must stop, my sons!” “...But Eli’s sons wouldn't listen to their father, for the Lord was already planning to put them to death.” (1 Samuel 2:22-25) Wow! What plans does God have for each of us, based on our behavior? Are they plans for prosperity or destruction?
The text continues, “One day a prophet came to Eli and gave him this message from the Lord: “Didn’t I reveal myself to your ancestors when the people of Israel were slaves in Egypt? I chose your ancestor Aaron from among all his relatives to be my priest, to offer sacrifices on my altar, to burn incense, and to wear the priestly garments as he served me. And I assigned the sacrificial offerings to you priests. So why do you scorn my sacrifices and offerings? Why do you honor your sons more than me -- for you and they have become fat from the best offerings of my people!
Therefore, the Lord, the God of Israel, says: The terrible things you are doing cannot continue! I had promised that your branch of the tribe of Levi would always be my priests. But I will honor only those who honor me, and I will despise those who despise me. I will put an end to your family, so it will no longer serve as my priest. All the members of your family will die before their time. None will live to a ripe old age. You will watch with envy as I pour out prosperity on the people of Israel. But no members of your family will ever live out their days. Those who are left alive will live in sadness and grief, and their children will die a violent death. And to prove that what I have said will come true, I will cause your two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, to die on the same day! Wow!!!
Then I will raise up a faithful priest who will serve me and do what I tell him to do. I will bless his descendants, and his family will be priests to my anointed kings forever. Then all your descendants will bow before his descendants, begging for money and food. “Please,” they will say, “give us jobs among the priests so we will have enough to eat.”” (1 Samuel 2:27-36)
It sounds like God is saying that the Levites will no longer serve as priests, and that Samuel may be that faithful priest the Lord is referring to.
As usual, if anyone knows, finds out, or has relevant information to share, please place a comment.
Lord, thank you for your Word today! Help us continually honor you so we can remain in your favor! We love you!
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