1 Samuel 2:12, 22-25, 34; 3:10-14

1 Samuel 3:13 “For I have told him that I will judge his house for ever, for the iniquity which he knew, because his sons did bring a curse upon themselves, and he restrained them not.”

1 Samuel 3:13 “For I have told him that I will judge his house for ever, for the iniquity which he knew, because his sons did bring a curse upon themselves, and he restrained them not.”

Who Was Eli?Who Was Eli? He was a descendant of Ithamar, He was a descendant of Ithamar,

the youngest son of Aaron.the youngest son of Aaron. He held the office of high priest, He held the office of high priest,

and helped to raise Samuel.and helped to raise Samuel. He became judge at age 58, and He became judge at age 58, and

judged Israel for 40 years. - judged Israel for 40 years. - cf. 1 cf. 1 Samuel 4:15, 18 Samuel 4:15, 18 (98 when he died)(98 when he died)

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Who Was Eli?Who Was Eli? When first mentioned When first mentioned (1 Samuel (1 Samuel

1:3)1:3), he must have been around 70 , he must have been around 70 years old.years old.

His sons were children of his old His sons were children of his old age, for afterward they were spoken age, for afterward they were spoken of as young men. of as young men. cf. 1 Samuel 2:17cf. 1 Samuel 2:17

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His sons Hophni and Phineas were corrupt. 1 Samuel 2:12-17

He knew what they did. 1 Samuel 2:22-25; 3:13. Yet, honored them above God. 2:29

Therefore, a man of God was sent to pronounce judgment on his household. 1 Samuel 2:27-36

The Lord also told Samuel of the reason for such judgment. 1 Samuel 3:10-14

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His sons were base men. His sons were base men. 1 Samuel 1 Samuel 2:122:12Took the best of the meat from the Took the best of the meat from the

sacrifices. sacrifices. 1 Samuel 2:13-171 Samuel 2:13-17Committed adultery with the women

who served at the sanctuary entrance.1 Samuel 2:22

  His sons' insistence to sin caused His sons' insistence to sin caused rumors. rumors. 1 Samuel 2:241 Samuel 2:24 6

Discipline needed.Proverbs 19:18 “Chasten thy son, seeing there is hope”

Proverbs 13:24; Proverbs 23:13-14; 29:15,17

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Given to them collectively rather than Given to them collectively rather than individually. individually. “He said unto them …”“He said unto them …”1 Samuel 2:221 Samuel 2:22

By way of question, rather than a By way of question, rather than a direct charge. direct charge. “Why do ye such “Why do ye such things?”things?”1 Samuel 2:231 Samuel 2:23

He had not troubled himself to know He had not troubled himself to know their sin. their sin. “For I hear of your evil “For I hear of your evil dealings from all this people.” 1 dealings from all this people.” 1 Samuel 2:23Samuel 2:23

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He seemed more concerned about He seemed more concerned about what people will think than the sin what people will think than the sin itself.itself.1 Samuel 2:23-241 Samuel 2:23-24

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He did not threaten to judge them He did not threaten to judge them for their injustice toward men.for their injustice toward men.Deuteronomy 21:18;Deuteronomy 21:18; note what note what Samuel did…Samuel did… 1 Samuel 15:32-331 Samuel 15:32-33

He left them to the judgment of He left them to the judgment of God.God.1 Samuel 2:251 Samuel 2:25

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  Their contempt of reproof revealed Their contempt of reproof revealed that they were already hardenedthat they were already hardened..

God had already given them up to God had already given them up to destruction. destruction. “Jehovah was minded to slay them.” 1 Samuel 2:25; cf. Romans 1:18ff

In them the proverb was to be In them the proverb was to be fulfilled: fulfilled: “He that hateth reproof “He that hateth reproof shall die” shall die” Proverbs 15:10Proverbs 15:10 11

11. . The tendency to go wrong often The tendency to go wrong often appears at an early age. appears at an early age. “Young Men” 1 Samuel 2:17

2. Hard to move a grown tree.2. Hard to move a grown tree.cf. Proverbs 19:18. While there is hope.cf. Proverbs 19:18. While there is hope.

3. Some children can be “discouraged” by 3. Some children can be “discouraged” by too much strictness. – too much strictness. – cf. Colossians cf. Colossians 3:213:21

4. Yet, far more are spoiled by too much 4. Yet, far more are spoiled by too much indulgence. “Can’t buy love or respect.”indulgence. “Can’t buy love or respect.”

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1. To make sure our reproofs are 1. To make sure our reproofs are sufficiently pointed. sufficiently pointed. (“Thou art (“Thou art the man!”) cf. 2 Samuel 12:7the man!”) cf. 2 Samuel 12:7

2. To communicate the exceeding 2. To communicate the exceeding sinfulness of sin.sinfulness of sin.

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1. Fathers who love their children 1. Fathers who love their children chastise them appropriately.chastise them appropriately. cf. cf. Hebrews 12:6-8Hebrews 12:6-8

2. Fathers in a position to restrain 2. Fathers in a position to restrain their children's sinful behavior, have their children's sinful behavior, have the duty to do so!the duty to do so!

3. Whether it be in the home, in the 3. Whether it be in the home, in the church, or in the community.church, or in the community.

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1.1. We can wait too long. We can wait too long. Proverbs Proverbs 19:18 “Chasten thy son, seeing 19:18 “Chasten thy son, seeing there is hope”there is hope”

2.2. One can be hardened by sin. One can be hardened by sin. Hebrews Hebrews 3:12-133:12-13

3.3. One can reach a point where it One can reach a point where it becomes impossible for us to restore becomes impossible for us to restore them again to repentance. them again to repentance. Hebrews Hebrews 6:4-66:4-6 15

  1.1. Eli accepted God’s Eli accepted God’s judgment.judgment.

1 Samuel 3:15-18

2.2. Judgment occurred. Judgment occurred. 1 1 Samuel 4Samuel 4

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