Sam and Eli’s Sons

In 1 Samuel 2:11–36, the text contrasts the corruption of Eli’s sons, Hophni and Phinehas, with the faithful service of young Samuel, highlighting God’s subtle yet sovereign work amid chaos. Though Eli’s sons abused their priestly roles with greed, immorality, and defiance, God was quietly raising up Samuel as a beacon of faithfulness. Their rejection of correction and eventual judgment reveal the danger of hardened hearts, while Samuel’s growth shows God’s favor on those who yield to Him. God’s response through a prophetic proclamation warns of judgment on spiritual complacency and leadership corruption, yet ends with hope—God will raise up a faithful priest. While this finds partial fulfillment in Zadok, it ultimately points to Jesus Christ, the eternal High Priest, through whom God's stubborn grace and prevailing purpose are fulfilled for His people.

Subtle Sovereignty (v.11-26)

Interpretation:

We’re introduced to Eli’s sons in this passage, and they are NOT good people. In verse 12, they’re described as worthless men, which means they were morally corrupt, stemming from the fact that they did not know the Lord.

As the text progresses, their wickedness will be contrasted with Samuel’s faithful service to the Lord. Verses 12-17 first flesh out Hophni and Phinehas’ contempt for the Lord as they exploit their priestly roles for personal gain.

God had set up for the priests a means by which they would be provided for, expected standards that would make sure their needs were met. However, Hop and Phin disregarded God’s law…likely not out of ignorance but out of open dismissal. They took more for themselves than what God’s command allowed. It’s a practical illustration of what Paul says:

Philippians 3:19 ESV

Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things.

The text even points out how egregious their sin was. They would even take…by force whatever they wanted, violating the law of Leviticus and mocking sacrificial law and tradition. So, verse 17 says that the sin of the young men was very great in the sight of the Lord.

With so much focus on the rebellion of Eli’s sons, it can be easy to miss that God is still at work. But, the text makes it clear: God’s working may be subtle, but He is still in sovereign control. Last week, Kyle did a fantastic job of working us through Hannah’s prayer, a prayer of worship that in some parts spoke of God’s dealing with the wicked. We might expect, upon first reading, that God is going to get those wicked Canaanites or Philistines. We’re caught off guard when the wicked are revealed to be servants in God’s own house! Even still, I want to draw your attention to a few verses:

1 Samuel 2:11 “Then Elkanah went home to Ramah. And the boy was ministering to the Lord in the presence of Eli the priest.”

1 Samuel 2:18–21 “Samuel was ministering before the Lord, a boy clothed with a linen ephod. And his mother used to make for him a little robe and take it to him each year when she went up with her husband to offer the yearly sacrifice. Then Eli would bless Elkanah and his wife, and say, “May the Lord give you children by this woman for the petition she asked of the Lord.” So then they would return to their home. Indeed the Lord visited Hannah, and she conceived and bore three sons and two daughters. And the boy Samuel grew in the presence of the Lord.”

Even 1 Samuel 2:26 “Now the boy Samuel continued to grow both in stature and in favor with the Lord and also with man.”

Application:

These are short notes about Samuel interspersed amongst an entire narrative on the wickedness of Eli’s sons, reminding us that even when the world seems chaotic, He is not still and silent. Sometimes God works quietly, not always with big, obvious signs. We might think He's left us if we don't notice His subtle actions. But often, that's just how God works. Even when things look bad (like with Hophni and Phinehas), there's still hope in the quiet good that's happening (like young Samuel).

Faithful Favor (v.18-21)

Interpretation:

While the text hones in on the sinfulness of the priestly line, Samuel serves as a stark contrast. He is faithful, he dresses in priestly attire as his mother continues to bless him, Eli’s blessing is given, and God rewards Hannah with more children as “Samuel grew in the presence of the LORD.”

When we read verses 19-21, it’s best to read them as a contrast with vv.22-26. There is a clear comparison taking place in the text:

Mother’s love (v.19) vs. Father’s sorrow (v.22)

Eli’s blessing (v.20) vs. Eli’s rebuke (v.23-25a)

YHWH’s provision - life (v.21a) vs. YHWH’s purpose - death (v.25b)

Samuel’s growth (v.21b) vs. Samuel’s growth (v.26)

What becomes evident is that God’s blessing for Hannah was clear, visible, and even physical. It came in the form of five additional children. Having surrendered her child to the Lord, Hannah now receives (John 1:16 “For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.”) One commentator said:

“That is typical, or, as we might say, ‘vintage YHWH.’ No sacrifice ever seems to impoverish one of YHWH’s servants (Mark 10:28-30).”

Illustration:

Imagine a child holding tightly to a small, worn marble. It’s her favorite, not because of its value, but because it’s all she has. She clutches it in her fist, afraid that if she lets go, she’ll lose something precious. Her father kneels down and gently asks, “Will you give it to me?”

She hesitates. After all, it's all she has.

But finally, she opens her hand and gives it up.

Then the father reaches into his pocket and replaces the marble with a sparkling jewel—something far more beautiful, valuable, and lasting than what she gave up.

That’s what surrender to God is like. We often clutch our “marbles” — our plans, our dreams, our desires—thinking it’s all we’ve got. But when we open our hand in faith, God doesn’t leave us empty. He blesses us—not always in the way we expect, but always in ways that are richer, deeper, and more enduring.

Application:

“God is ready to assume full responsibility for the life wholly yielded to Him.” — Absolute Surrender, Andrew Murray

What are you holding tightly to this morning, scared that letting go will cost you more than you receive in return? What are you afraid to turn loose of, fearful that it’s something that God will mishandle?

Fearful Fury (v.22-25)

Interpretation:

Liturgical sins give way to moral sin as Eli’s sons engage in sexual activity with the “women who were serving at the entrance of the tent of meeting.” Exodus 38:8 speaks of the women who ministered at the gate, but their service would’ve been significantly different from temple prostitutes often associated with Canaanite worship. This practice was forbidden; ritual prostitution was not allowed (Dt.23:17). But, Hop and Phin? The priests? They are leading the people of God to mimic and mirror the world. Eli’s sons are so wicked, they’ve turned God’s house into a place where sin was committed, not confessed.

Eli rebuked his sons, possibly due to public outcry. He even has theological concerns for his sons — who will mediate for you in this sin against God. However, his concerns were met with hard hearts. They would not listen for it was the will of the Lord to put them to death. This underscores the fact that the sons’ refusal to listen and repent was a RESULT of God’s judgment, not what led to it.

We would do well to heed this stern warning: we can become so firm in our rebellion toward God that He will confirm our rebellion, so moving our hearts to become deaf toward the pleas of others to turn and repent. At what point to we reach this hardness? The text doesn’t say…which gives all the more reason to listen to the warning.

Some may think this passage teaches that God is slow to mercy but quick to anger. Others may desire to ponder the intellectual curiosities of how God performs this hardening — at what level does a person reach this point of no return. Neither the critic nor the curious are right. The text should simply cause us to tremble before a holy God and heed the words of Scripture:

Psalm 95:7–8 ESV

For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts, as at Meribah, as on the day at Massah in the wilderness,

Hebrews 3:15 ESV

As it is said, “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.”

Illustration:

Jesus came walking along the sea shore of the Sea of Galilee, and He saw two brothers, Simon (who would later be called Peter), and Andrew. As was their normal routine, they were casting their nets trying to catch some fish. So, Jesus called out to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men!” Their response was immediate. They dropped what they were doing to follow Jesus.

Just up the beach, the same thing. This time, it was two more brothers, James and John, the sons of Zebedee. They were mending their nets, but Jesus’ call went out all the same. “Immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.”

Application:

Hebrews 4:7 ESV

again he appoints a certain day, “Today,” saying through David so long afterward, in the words already quoted, “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts.”

God is absolutely worthy of our automatic response. And, the need for the urgency of our response is brought to light in this passage. Why would we delay? We will not get a better deal. Whatever the Lord calls you to, respond with complete and immediate obedience!

Piercing Proclamation (v.27-36)

Interpretation:

An unnamed prophet comes to pronounce judgment on Eli’s house.

He reminds Eli of the grace that had been shown to his family — they were chosen to be priests, which included mediating sacrifices and receiving portions of the offerings. However, this sacred role had been corrupted and God’s provision spurned as the sons took the best parts of the sacrifices for themselves. When God’s people become greedy, the gifts of God are held in contempt.

He proclaims judgment on Eli’s house. Hophni and Phinehas would die on the same day, and future generations would be cut off. God will not tolerate those who use the ministry for their personal gain.

Eli verbally reprimanded his sons, but he did nothing to remove them from their place of service. While he may not have been able to control the immorality of his sons, Eli certainly could have stopped their immoral practices while they were priests. Beware of complacency!

Application:

How does this translate to the individual believer today? I see at least two things:

Love does not let. You see, Eli was unwilling to stand firm in fidelity to the Lord, and it compromised the priesthood. Sometimes the most loving thing we can do is confront and correct someone’s wayward actions.

The piercing proclamation of God’s Word. Sin was open and rampant, which can lead to God’s people becoming cynical and complacent about worship, righteousness, and faithfulness. This man of God came out of the blue declaring “Thus saith the Lord.” This invasion of the Word of God exposes sin and protects God’s people from becoming wholly consumed by sin. If Eli’s sons would destroy God’s people through debauchery and the abuse of their position, then God would destroy them to protect His people. Sometimes the harsh Word of God is simultaneously the merciful Word of God.

Prevailing Purpose (v.35)

Interpretation:

There is an emphasis in the passage that comes to a head in verse 35: YHWH will have a faithful high priest. The term *neʾemān* (“faithful”) in 1 Samuel 2:35 underscores the contrast between the unfaithful sons of Eli and the faithful priest God promises to raise up. Who is the faithful priest that God promises? Some believe that it is Samuel, and there is some truth to this, but the chapter 3 will portray him as the prophet par excellence. He is unlikely to be scripturally considered both the prophet and priest. A better suggestion, at least in terms of an immediate fulfillment, is Zadok in 1 Kings 2, because He banishes Eli’s descendant Abiathar and becomes the sole occupier of high priest.

However, let’s not forsake the emphasis of the overarching purpose of Scripture. While God’s people may suffer through arrogant, immoral, and unrepentant priests, God Himself will have a faithful priest, insisting on it even. This is what could be called the beautiful “stubbornness” of YHWH. Davis says, “Israel may suffer under degenerate priests. YHWH will judge them; ‘I shall raise up for myself a faithful priest.’ YHWH is determined. He will have proper leadership for His flock.” This type of tenacity provides God’s people with a solid fortress of refuge.

Illustration:

“Let God’s promises shine on your problems.” - Corrie ten Boom

If there was anyone who knew of anchoring hope to God’s promises, it was ten Boom. She survived the horrors of a concentration camp and had real-life experience clinging to God’s Word in the darkest of places.

Application:

This prophecy finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ, the eternal High Priest. He is not only the faithful Priest but also the King who reigns forever on David’s throne—two central themes in the book of Samuel. At the heart of this promise is the gospel itself: whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life. This is the promise of all promises…this is the promise that unlocks everything else…this is the promise that forms the bedrock for the rest of life, that Christ came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am the worst.