1 Samuel 2:22-26--Eli Rebukes His Sons

1 Samuel 2:22-26
English Standard Version

Eli Rebukes His Sons
22 Now Eli was very old, and he kept hearing all that his sons were doing to all Israel, and how they lay with the women who were serving at the entrance to the tent of meeting. 23 And he said to them, “Why do you do such things? For I hear of your evil dealings from all these people. 24 No, my sons; it is no good report that I hear the people of the LORD spreading abroad. 25 If someone sins against a man, God will mediate for him, but if someone sins against the LORD, who can intercede for him?” But they would not listen to the voice of their father, for it was the will of the LORD to put them to death.

26 Now the boy Samuel continued to grow both in stature and in favor with the LORD and also with man.

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Eli saw all the evil things that his sons were doing, and he finally had enough and said something about it (it was too little, too late, but at least he said something).  Not only had Eli's sons been disobeying the LORD in what parts of the sacrifices belonged to them and how that meat was to be prepared and selected, but now we read that they are using their position as priests to commit sexual sin with the women who gathered at the Tabernacle to minister.  There were two things that it was obvious that the LORD hated and told his people to abstain from--idolatry and sexual sin, and the two are close companions with each other so if they are involved in sexual sin, it is because they have no fear of the LORD.

Eli tells his sons that he has heard from all the people about all the evil things they are doing.  They knew Eli was old and tired and spent much of his time sitting in his chair not able to do the work of a priest, but this doesn't mean that people didn't talk to him or that he didn't see things for himself.  He also knew his sons and knew their character and knew that the stories that he heard were most likely true because they did not believe in the LORD so they had no fear of the LORD.

Though their father tried to get them to repent and realize that they were in danger by sinning against the LORD, the LORD hardened their hearts so that they did not repent, because it was His will that they die and Samuel take their place.

Compare the last verse of this passage with this verse from the book of Luke:


Luke 2:52
English Standard Version
​52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man.


1 Samuel 2:26
English Standard Version
​26 Now the boy Samuel continued to grow both in stature and in favor with the LORD and also with man.

Verse 35 gives us some hint (if we read ahead) what the LORD is up to with Samuel, "35 And I will raise up for myself a faithful priest, who shall do according to what is in my heart and in my mind. And I will build him a sure house, and he shall go in and out before my anointed forever."

But is that prophecy about Samuel or is it about Jesus, or is maybe partially true about Samuel but more fully fulfilled in Jesus?  Do you see how Samuel helps point us to Jesus?  There are many other instance like this too in the Old Testament and we'll see several in the life of Samuel.  Keep an eye out for them.