1 Samuel 2:27-36
27 Then a man of God came to Eli and said to him, “This is what the Lord says: ‘Did I not indeed reveal Myself to the house of your father when they were in Egypt in bondage to Pharaoh’s house?
28 Did I not choose them from all the tribes of Israel to be My priests, to go up to My altar, to burn incense, to carry an ephod before Me? And did I not give to the house of your father all the fire offerings of the sons of Israel?
29 Why are you showing contempt for My sacrifice and My offering which I have commanded for My dwelling, and why are you honoring your sons above Me, by making yourselves fat with the choicest of every offering of My people Israel?’
30 Therefore the Lord God of Israel declares, ‘I did indeed say that your house and the house of your father was to walk before Me forever’; but now the Lord declares, ‘Far be it from Me—for those who honor Me I will honor, and those who despise Me will be insignificant.
31 Behold, the days are coming when I will eliminate your strength and the strength of your father’s house, so that there will not be an old man in your house.
32 And you will look at the distress of My dwelling, in spite of all the good that I do for Israel; and there will never be an old man in your house.
33 Yet I will not cut off every man of yours from My altar, so that your eyes will fail from weeping and your soul grieve, and all the increase of your house will die in the prime of life.
34 And this will be the sign to you which will come in regard to your two sons, Hophni and Phinehas: on the same day both of them will die.
35 But I will raise up for Myself a faithful priest who will do according to what is in My heart and My soul; and I will build him an enduring house, and he will walk before My anointed always.
36 And everyone who is left in your house will come to bow down to him for a silver coin or a loaf of bread and say, “Please assign me to one of the priest’s offices so that I may eat a piece of bread.” ’ ”
The Prophecy of Judgement
Three sins
God could no longer stay silent while the sons of Eli continue in their sins and sent a “man of God” to Eli. “Man of God” is a term referring to early prophets. The man of God first pointed out that God had chosen the lineage of Aaron as priests and had blessed them. Then he sternly reproached the three sins committed by El’s house. (1) Eli’s sons treated the offerings to the Lord with disrespect. (2) Eli valued his sons more than the Lord, which is why he neglected to take action earlier when he should have. (3) Eli’s house fattened themselves with the choicest parts of the offerings made by the people of Israel. They were taking for themselves what had not been given to them.
God’s judgement
Next, God’s judgment upon Eli’s house is prophesied. (1) They will be removed from the priesthood. Additionally, his two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, will die on the same day. (2) This prophecy was fulfilled when Israel was defeated by the Philistine army, and the ark of God was taken. Eli’s two sons died in battle. Moreover, upon receiving the news that the Ark of God was taken, Eli fell from his seat, broke his neck, and died at the age of 98 (1 Sam. 4:10–18). (3) God’s promise that the sons of Aaron would be priests remained intact. Eli’s house belonged to the line of Ithamar. After the downfall of Eli’s house, the high priesthood was taken over by the line of Eleazar, which also belonged to Aaron’s lineage. Thus, the promise that the sons of Aaron would be priests was upheld. God spoke to Eli through the prophet, saying, “Those who honor Me I will honor, and those who despise Me will be insignificant.” This principle remains the same even today and it will be the same eternally. Let’s remember the words of Jesus Christ. “For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will also be ashamed of him when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels” (Mark 8:38). Let’s strive to live a life that is pleasing to God.
Today's prayer
Heavenly Father, I have been saved from destruction for You have set me apart according to Your choice. Please strengthen me to live a life worthy of Your choice. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.