03: The Lord’s judgement on Eli’s family ( 1Samuel 2:12 – 36)

The Lord humbles Eli’s family and raises Samuel. He declares His plan to establish a faithful house that will replace and surpass Eli’s house.

👉 Read 1Samuel 2:12 - 36

Q1. What were the sins of Eli’s two sons? (three, v12-14, v15-17, v22)

They didn’t acknowledge the Lord’s authority

They ridiculed the Lord’s offering

They slept with the women who were serving the Tabernacle.

Q2. While Eli’s two sons were rejected by God, Samuel was lifted by God. Find verses that support Eli’s family’s decline and Samuel’s elevation. (from v11-26)

Decline of Eli’s family: V12, v14, v17, v22, v25

Elevation of Samuel: V11, v18, v21, v26.

The Lord blessed Hannah with five children. His purpose in allowing her temporary barrenness was not to afflict her but to prepare His prophet Samuel, through her faithful dedication—one who would bring the era of Judges to an end and usher in the monarchy, a period in which people would ultimately anticipate the fulfillment of the promise of the Davidic dynasty through the Son of David.

“Indeed the Lord had decided to kill them” (25) Had the Lord already decided to punish them without giving them a second chance to repent? Though their sins were severe, the Lord’s message was directed to Eli, not to them. The Bible underscores Eli’s responsibility, indicating that the sins of his sons were not merely personal failings but the culmination of the accumulated sin within Eli’s family. The fall of Eli’s household marks the end of the era of the Shiloh Tabernacle and the period of the Judges. 

Q3. In response to their sins, God sent His messenger to Eli, not to his sons, and declared the punishment. According to the message, what kinds of favor did God show to Eli’s family, including his ancestors' house? And what was Eli’s fault?

God’s favor: The Lord plainly revealed Himself to his ancestor’s house and chose his ancestor to be His priest. 

Eli’s fault: He honored his sons more than the Lord

Becoming the Lord’s priest signifies a deep intimacy with Him. Notice the expressions: “My altar,” “before Me,” and “My sacrifice and My offering.” These phrases emphasize the priest’s close relationship with the Lord. Furthermore, the Lord chose the priest from among his brothers to be His possession. Therefore, priests are called to honor the Lord above all, even above their own family.

Looking down on a small church or an unpolished service with prejudice or contempt is a sin of dishonoring the Lord.

Q4. The Lord says, “I will honor those who honor me, but thos who despise me will be cursed.” What is the curse upon Eli’s family? (31-33, 35-36)

They will die young, especially by the sword

God will raise other faithful priests and humble Eli’s descendants before him.

The death of Eli and his two sons in one day was a sign that this curse would come true (34). The first curse was fulfilled, especially when King Saul killed 85 priests. 

In 1 Kings 2:26-27, King Solomon removed Abiathar, a descendant of Eli and Ithamar, from the priesthood, fulfilling the prophecy of judgment on Eli’s house (1 Samuel 2:27-36). Abiathar was exiled to his hometown of Anathoth, and Zadok, a descendant of Eleazar, was appointed as the sole high priest (1 Kings 2:35). This marked the end of Eli’s lineage serving as a priest and the beginning of Zadok’s exclusive high priestly line.

The curse upon Eli’s family raises the issue of God’s justice, as those not involved in their ancestor’s failure seem to suffer unjustly. Though we were not excluded from God's people, which means they were still under God's chosen grace, the exclusion from the priesthood seemed unfair to them. Yes, it might be so. However, when Jesus Christ comes, all valleys and mountains will be flattened. In Jesus Christ, our High Priest—apart from the Aaronic or Zadokite lineage and far greater—we are called to minister as His priests. The blessing in Christ overwhelms all sorts of curses. 

“I will raise up for Myself a faithful priest, who will act in accordance with My wishes and My purposes. I will build for him an enduring house, and he shall walk before My anointed evermore.” (1 Samuel 2:35, TNK) This verse contains a penetrating theme woven throughout the books of the Prophets. Because Eli’s family failed to serve the Lord and His people, the Lord promised to raise up and establish a family to replace them. The faithful priest refers to Samuel, David, and ultimately Christ. We belong to the house built by Christ and are called to serve the church anointed by the Holy Spirit.

The Lord honors those who honor Him. This passage solemnly warns us who were called as priests in Christ. Also, it gives peace of mind by the promise that His house and priesthood don't fall.