Tolerating sin – Eli confronted (1 Sam 2:22-36)

Many Christian parents know the sadness that comes from having children who do not follow the Lord. We can’t help but ask searching questions. Why did they choose the path they did? Where did we go wrong? Could we have done something differently? Individuals have a will of their own and not everyone responds to the Lord’s call. However, in Eli’s case there seems to have been some other issues as well. First, we see that he lacks discernment. He relies on the reports of others (1 Sam 2:24) rather than his own perception, though this may be due to old age. However, years earlier he mistakes Hannah’s fervent prayer for drunkenness. He assumes that she is a worthless woman (1 Sam 1:16) but does not notice the worthlessness of his own sons (1 Sam 2:12). The narrator draws our attention to this contrast by using the same idiom for worthlessness (in the Hebrew ‘daughter/sons of Belial’ respectively).

Secondly, his correction is too little too late. Like many in our world, he never directly names the sins for what they are and his rebuke comes when he is very old (1 Sam 2:22) when his sons no longer listen to him.[1] While Eli himself knows the Lord, his sin is the subtle one of neglect, of turning a blind eye to the wickedness of those under his authority. I know from experience as a teacher that sometimes we do not want to make an issue of something and it is easier to ignore the mischief than get into a conflict. It is also noteworthy that Samuel, too, has wicked sons (1 Sam 8:3) and one wonders if, growing up in Eli’s household, he never learnt the importance of correction. Our children may carry into their family the patterns we have set for them. Finally, Eli would have had no credibility with his sons since he became the silent beneficiary of their greed (1 Sam 2:29). Children are particularly adept at recognising our inconsistencies and lack of integrity.

Although the judgment the prophet brings to Eli sounds harsh, we should actually take heart from it because God cares about the wellbeing of His people who need better spiritual leadership. What happens in this family matters because they carry out priestly duties (1 Sam 2:28). The sacrifices and incense were part of the process of atonement and cleansing for the people, as well as devotion to God. The priests then facilitated the relationship of ordinary Israelites with the Lord. They also carried the ephod (not the same as the ordinary priest’s linen ephod, cf. 1 Sam 2:18), which was a high priestly garment with a breastpiece attached (Exodus 28). This contained the Urim and Thummim, a system of lots that enabled inquiry of God’s will. Thus, the spiritual wellbeing of the flock was at stake when their sins brought dishonour to God’s name. How many lose their faith today or drift away from the Lord in disappointment over the corrupt and sinful activities of pastors and church leadership! Those who serve the Lord need to keep a clear conscience and be above reproach.

As Hannah’s Song has described, so God will reverse the status of the arrogant bringing them low but raise up the humble who trust Him. In fact, even as judgment is set in motion, God is already raising a faithful servant, Samuel, who will guide the people in God’s ways. While he won’t have an ‘enduring house’ (i.e. dynasty) since his sons will be wicked (1 Sam 8:3), the Lord will raise other priests later like the family of Zadok (1 Kings 2:27), who will continue to serve the Davidic kings. At the same time, Scripture is not unsympathetic to Eli who, though a weak character, was not evil himself. Thus, judgment will be tempered by mercy (1 Sam 2:33). Our God is both just and merciful.

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[1] In 1 Sam 2:25, Scripture focuses on God’s sovereignty, but this does not absolve the sons of responsibility. I discuss this question in my post on the Hardening of Pharaoh’s Heart. Neither does God take pleasure in their death, but judgment is necessary so that God’s people may be freed from their abuse.

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