1 Samuel 2

David Guzik · Citado em PreceptAustin

1 Samuel 2

Guzik adds "With many of the sacrifices brought to the tabernacle, a portion was given to God, a portion was given to the priest, and a portion was kept by the one who brought the offering. According to other passages in the Old Testament, the priest received a portion of the breast and the shoulder. But now, some 400 years after the Law of Moses came, the priestly custom changed – they did not take the prescribed portion of the breast and shoulder, but took whatever the fork (fleshhook) brought up out of the pot." 1 Samuel 2:15 Also, before they burned the fat, the priest's servant would come and say to the man who was sacrificing, "Give the priest meat for roasting, as he will not take boiled meat from you, only raw." BGT 1 Samuel 2:15 καὶ πρὶν θυμιαθῆναι τὸ στέαρ ἤρχετο τὸ παιδάριον τοῦ ἱερέως καὶ ἔλεγεν τῷ ἀνδρὶ τῷ θύοντι δὸς κρέας ὀπτῆσαι τῷ ἱερεῖ καὶ οὐ μὴ λάβω παρὰ σοῦ ἑφθὸν ἐκ τοῦ λέβητος KJV 1 Samuel 2:15 Also before they burnt the fat, the priest's servant came, and said to the man that sacrificed, Give flesh to roast for the priest; for he will not have sodden flesh of thee, but raw. NET 1 Samuel 2:15 Even before they burned the fat, the priest's attendant would come and say to the person who was making the sacrifice, "Hand over some meat for the priest to roast! He won't take boiled meat from you, but only raw." CSB 1 Samuel 2:15 Even before the fat was burned, the priest's servant would come and say to the man who was sacrificing, "Give the priest some meat to roast, because he won't accept boiled meat from you-- only raw." ESV 1 Samuel 2:15 Moreover, before the fat was burned, the priest's servant would come and say to the man who was sacrificing, "Give meat for the priest to roast, for he will not accept boiled meat from you but only raw." NIV 1 Samuel 2:15 But even before the fat was burned, the servant of the priest would come and say to the man who was sacrificing, "Give the priest some meat to roast; he won't accept boiled meat from you, but only raw." NLT 1 Samuel 2:15 Sometimes the servant would come even before the animal's fat had been burned on the altar. He would demand raw meat before it had been boiled so that it could be used for roasting. NRS 1 Samuel 2:15 Moreover, before the fat was burned, the priest's servant would come and say to the one who was sacrificing, "Give meat for the priest to roast; for he will not accept boiled meat from you, but only raw." RSV 1 Samuel 2:15 Moreover, before the fat was burned, the priest's servant would come and say to the man who was sacrificing, "Give meat for the priest to roast; for he will not accept boiled meat from you, but raw." YLT 1 Samuel 2:15 Also before they make perfume with the fat -- then hath the priest's servant come in, and said to the man who is sacrificing, 'Give flesh to roast for the priest, and he doth not take of thee flesh boiled, but raw;' NKJ 1 Samuel 2:15 Also, before they burned the fat, the priest's servant would come and say to the man who sacrificed, "Give meat for roasting to the priest, for he will not take boiled meat from you, but raw." NJB 1 Samuel 2:15 The priest's servant would even come up before the fat had been burnt and say to the person who was making the sacrifice, 'Give the priest some meat for him to roast. He will not accept boiled meat from you, only raw.' Lev 3:3-5,16 Ro 16:18 Php 3:19 Jude 1:12 1 Samuel 2 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Related Passages: Exodus 29:13 “You shall take all the fat that covers the entrails and the lobe of the liver, and the two kidneys and the fat that is on them, and offer them up in smoke on the altar. Leviticus 3:3-5+ ‘From the sacrifice of the peace offerings he shall present an offering by fire to the LORD, the fat that covers the entrails and all the fat that is on the entrails, 4 and the two kidneys with the fat that is on them, which is on the loins, and the lobe of the liver, which he shall remove with the kidneys. 5 ‘Then Aaron’s sons shall offer it up in smoke on the altar on the burnt offering, which is on the wood that is on the fire; it is an offering by fire of a soothing aroma to the LORD. STEALING FROM JEHOVAH Also, before they burned the fat, the priest's servant would come and say to the man who was sacrificing, "Give the priest meat for roasting, as he will not take boiled meat from you, only raw." - Before they burned the fat, indicates the first portion was to go to Yahweh. The practice of the worthless priests (sons of Eli) blatantly ignored this divine directive. This description indicates that Eli's sons were "skimming off the top" so to speak, taking parts of the sacrifices reserved for God and thereby essentially stealing from God Himself! That is a frightening thought, so one is not surprised at their just demise at the hands of the Philistines. Their demand for raw meat would include the fat which was to be offered to the Lord. In essence they were stealing. NIV Study Bible on before the fat was burned - On the altar as the Lord's portion, which he was to receive first (see Lev 3:16 and note; 4:10,26,31,35; 7:30-31; 17:6). roast. Boiling is the only form of cooking specified in the law for the priests' portion (Nu 6:19-20). Roasting this portion is nowhere expressly forbidden in the law, but it is specified only for the Passover lamb (Ex 12:8-9; Dt 16:7). The present passage seems to imply that for the priests to roast their portion of the sacrifices was unlawful. (Borrow NIV Study Bible) Believer's Study Bible - The wickedness of Eli's sons extended even to the sacrificial altars. Only certain portions of an offering were for the priests, and the fat was always to be removed first and offered to God. Eli's sons were taking any part they wanted, and taking it before the fat was removed (cf. Ex. 29:26-28; Lev. 3:3-4; 7:23-36; Num. 18:18; Deut. 18:3). 1 Samuel 2:16 If the man said to him, "They must surely burn the fat first, and then take as much as you desire," then he would say, "No, but you shall give it to me now; and if not, I will take it by force." BGT 1 Samuel 2:16 καὶ ἔλεγεν ὁ ἀνὴρ ὁ θύων θυμιαθήτω πρῶτον ὡς καθήκει τὸ στέαρ καὶ λαβὲ σεαυτῷ ἐκ πάντων ὧν ἐπιθυμεῖ ἡ ψυχή σου καὶ εἶπεν οὐχί ὅτι νῦν δώσεις καὶ ἐὰν μή λήμψομαι κραταιῶς KJV 1 Samuel 2:16 And if any man said unto him, Let them not fail to burn the fat presently, and then take as much as thy soul desireth; then he would answer him, Nay; but thou shalt give it me now: and if not, I will take it by force. NET 1 Samuel 2:16 If the individual said to him, "First let the fat be burned away, and then take for yourself whatever you wish," he would say, "No! Hand it over right now! If you don't, I will take it forcibly!" CSB 1 Samuel 2:16 If that man said to him, "The fat must be burned first; then you can take whatever you want for yourself," the servant would reply, "No, I insist that you hand it over right now. If you don't, I'll take it by force!" ESV 1 Samuel 2:16 And if the man said to him, "Let them burn the fat first, and then take as much as you wish," he would say, "No, you must give it now, and if not, I will take it by force." NIV 1 Samuel 2:16 If the man said to him, "Let the fat be burned up first, and then take whatever you want," the servant would then answer, "No, hand it over now; if you don't, I'll take it by force." NLT 1 Samuel 2:16 The man offering the sacrifice might reply, "Take as much as you want, but the fat must be burned first." Then the servant would demand, "No, give it to me now, or I'll take it by force." NRS 1 Samuel 2:16 And if the man said to him, "Let them burn the fat first, and then take whatever you wish," he would say, "No, you must give it now; if not, I will take it by force." RSV 1 Samuel 2:16 And if the man said to him, "Let them burn the fat first, and then take as much as you wish," he would say, "No, you must give it now; and if not, I will take it by force." YLT 1 Samuel 2:16 and the man saith unto him, 'Let them surely make a perfume (as to-day) with the fat, then take to thee as thy soul desireth;' and he hath said to him, 'Surely now thou dost give; and if not -- I have taken by strength.' NKJ 1 Samuel 2:16 And if the man said to him, "They should really burn the fat first; then you may take as much as your heart desires," he would then answer him, "No, but you must give it now; and if not, I will take it by force." NJB 1 Samuel 2:16 Then, if the person replied, 'Let the fat be burnt first, and then take for yourself whatever you choose,' he would retort, 'No! You must give it to me now or I shall take it by force.' They must surely burn the fat first, Lev 3:16 Lev 7:23-25 I will take: Jdg 18:25 Ne 5:15 Mic 2:1,2 Mic 3:5 1Pe 5:2,3 1 Samuel 2 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Related Passages: Leviticus 3:16+ ‘The priest shall offer them up in smoke on the altar as food, an offering by fire for a soothing aroma; all fat is the LORD’S. Leviticus 7:23-25+ “Speak to the sons of Israel, saying, ‘You shall not eat any fat from an ox, a sheep or a goat. 24 ‘Also the fat of an animal which dies and the fat of an animal torn by beasts may be put to any other use, but you must certainly not eat it. 25 ‘For whoever eats the fat of the animal from which an offering by fire is offered to the LORD, even the person who eats shall be cut off from his people. Micah 2:1; 2+ Woe to those who scheme iniquity, Who work out evil on their beds! When morning comes, they do it, For it is in the power of their hands. 2 They covet fields and then seize them, And houses, and take them away. They rob a man and his house, A man and his inheritance. WILLFUL SIN OF THE PRIESTS If the man said to him, "They must surely burn the fat first, and then take as much as you desire," then he would say, "No, but you shall give it to me now; and if not, I will take it by force." - If the man said to him indicates that the people knew God's ordinances better than the priests (See THOUGHT below)! Can you see what Eli's sons are doing here? They are directly countering the Word of God, which said "all the fat is the LORD's" (Lev 3:16+). Their sin was willful and rebellious, especially their brash declaration "I will take it by force!" The were willing to use violence if necessary to enforce their will on the people! As my mother used to tell me when I was being rebellious, they were "cruising for a bruising" from Jehovah ("even the person who eats shall be cut off from his people" - Lev 7:25+)! As Paul writes "Do not be deceived (ELI'S SONS WERE DECEIVED!), God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap. 8 For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption (ELI'S SONS REAPED DEATH!), but the one who sows to the Spirit (DEPICTS YOUNG SAMUEL'S "SOWING") will from the Spirit reap eternal life." (Gal 6:7-8+) THOUGHT - As noted above, the people knew the Word of God better than the priests. If you are a pastor or teacher, how do you respond when an untrained member of the congregation comes to you and offers a potential correction? I went to a church where we addressed an issue with the pastor, but he paid no attention to us. And this is not about us being right so much as it is about the response. Is it received or rejected? If you receive it, that speaks of humility (even if the "correction" proves to be Biblically incorrect), but if you refuse to graciously receive it, this reflects and issue of your heart (pride, arrogance, etc). So what happened in the example I mentioned above? The church dissolved and the young pastor ended up leaving the ministry and going into the business world! HCSB notes that "The fat was the Lord's portion of the sacrifice (Lev 3:3-5). The text implies Eli's sons were also eating the fat of the sacrificial animals. The warning that the fat must be burned first—a warning that went unheeded—indicates the common people had a greater moral conscience than Eli's sons did. (Borrow HCSB Study Bible) To summarize the offenses of Eli's worthless sons selection of the best parts for themselves preference for the meat being roasted rather than boiled; refusal to yield the fat for burning on the altar (Lev 3:16; 7:25). 1 Samuel 2:17 Thus the sin of the young men was very great before the LORD, for the men despised the offering of the LORD. BGT 1 Samuel 2:17 καὶ ἦν ἡ ἁμαρτία τῶν παιδαρίων ἐνώπιον κυρίου μεγάλη σφόδρα ὅτι ἠθέτουν τὴν θυσίαν κυρίου KJV 1 Samuel 2:17 Wherefore the sin of the young men was very great before the LORD: for men abhorred the offering of the LORD. NET 1 Samuel 2:17 The sin of these young men was very great in the LORD's sight, for they treated the LORD's offering with contempt. CSB 1 Samuel 2:17 So the servants' sin was very severe in the presence of the LORD, because they treated the LORD's offering with contempt. ESV 1 Samuel 2:17 Thus the sin of the young men was very great in the sight of the LORD, for the men treated the offering of the LORD with contempt. NIV 1 Samuel 2:17 This sin of the young men was very great in the LORD's sight, for they were treating the LORD's offering with contempt. NLT 1 Samuel 2:17 So the sin of these young men was very serious in the LORD's sight, for they treated the LORD's offerings with contempt. NRS 1 Samuel 2:17 Thus the sin of the young men was very great in the sight of the LORD; for they treated the offerings of the LORD with contempt. RSV 1 Samuel 2:17 Thus the sin of the young men was very great in the sight of the LORD; for the men treated the offering of the LORD with contempt. YLT 1 Samuel 2:17 And the sin of the young men is very great in the presence of Jehovah, for the men have despised the offering of Jehovah. NKJ 1 Samuel 2:17 Therefore the sin of the young men was very great before the LORD, for men abhorred the offering of the LORD. NJB 1 Samuel 2:17 The young men's sin was very great in Yahweh's eyes, because they treated with contempt the offering made to Yahweh. before: Ge 6:11 10:9 13:13 2Ki 21:6 Ps 51:4 Isa 3:8 despised: Mal 2:8,13 Mt 18:7 1 Samuel 2 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries THE GREAT SIN OF ELI'S SONS Thus the sin (chattat/chattath) of the young men was very great before the LORD for the men despised (naas; Lxx = atheteo = rejected, set aside, nullified; KJV = abhorred, NET = treated with contempt!) the offering of the LORD - The Hebrew word for sin, chattat/chattath, like it's NT counterpart (hamartia), means to miss or fall short of the mark, which ultimately is the will and plan of God as revealed in Scripture. Sin is whatever misses the will of God for man doctrinally or morally. The result of chattat/chattath is that man misses the goal God has for him by failing to observe the requirements of holy living and thus falls short of spiritual wholeness. This sin of Eli's sons was especially heinous because they were the spiritual leaders (and theoretically knew the proper practice regarding offerings to the LORD and yet they chose to flagrantly reject them!), and thus they were held to a higher level of accountability! Despised is an ugly word even in English for it means to feel contempt or strong dislike for an object, rejecting as having little or no value either or both by words and actions. Bergen offers a another interpretation of the phrase for the men despised the offering writing that "The Masoretic Text suggests that the priestly actions were causing the worshipers (Hebrew hā’ănāšîm, “the men”) to look disrespectfully upon the freewill offerings made to the Lord. Priestly abuse was giving religion a bad name in Israel." (Borrow 1 & 2 Samuel - New American Commentary) In other words the men does not refer to Eli's sons but to the laymen who brought the offerings. This same Hebrew word translated despised (naas) is used when King David (a man after God's own heart) was confronted by the prophet Nathan because of his horrible sin against Bathsheba and Uriah, the prophet declaring “However, because by this deed you have given occasion to the enemies of the LORD to blaspheme (naas), the child also that is born to you shall surely die.” In light of the earlier statement ("They must surely burn the fat first, and then take as much as you desire,"), Eli's sons were blaspheming the LORD in front of the people when they should have been pillars of righteousness, and truth and justice! David Guzik makes an excellent point that "The greatness of the sin of Eli’s sons was clear because through their greed, violence, and intimidation they made others not want to come and bring offerings to the Lord. It was bad enough what they themselves did; but the greater sin of Eli’s sons was in how they hurt other people." Despised (spurned , rejected, blasphemed) (05006) naas means to revile, to scorn, to reject, despise, abhor (hate extremely or with contempt), spurn, treat with contempt, revile. God tells Moses His people "spurn" Him (Nu 14:11) and that those who "spurned" Him would not enter the promised land (Nu 14:23) The rebellion of Korah and those with him in effect "spurned the LORD" (Nu 16:30) by challenging Moses' divinely appointed role as leader (Nu 16:1-3). God prophesied that His people would "spurn" Him by turning to other gods and serving them and thus breaking His (Mosaic) covenant (Dt 31:20). Israel made Jehovah jealous with strange gods, provoking Him to anger (even sacrificing to demons!) and thus Jehovah "spurned them because of the provocation." (Dt 32:19, context Dt 32:16-18) The sons of Eli were worthless men who did not know Jehovah and as a result "despised the offering of the LORD." (1Sa 2:17). Naas is used in the Psalms of a greedy man who "spurns Jehovah" (Ps 10:3), the wicked who "spurned God" (Ps 10:13), "the enemy" who spurned His Name (Ps 74:10), foolish people who "spurned" His Name (Ps 74:18) and His people who "spurned the counsel of the Most High." (Ps 107:11). Israel was disciplined because they "despised the word of the Holy One of Israel" (Isa. 5:24, cp Isa 1:4 "despised the Holy One of Israel"). R C

1 Samuel 2

Guzik observes that "God knew how bad Eli’s sons were, so He guided the whole series of events that resulted in Samuel’s service at the tabernacle. If Eli’s sons were not worthy successors then God would raise up someone else. Ultimately, corrupt ministers do not stop – or even hinder – the work of God. It may look like it; but every time there are men like Eli’s sons, God raises up someone like Samuel. God’s work does not stop when God’s ministers become corrupt. Though a child, Samuel served the Lord better and in a greater way than the sons of Eli did. What man looks at in the service of God is often not what the Lord looks at." Was ministering before the LORD, as a boy wearing a linen ephod - Note that in 1Sa 2:11 Samuel was before Eli the priest, but now he is ministering before the LORD! He seems to have "graduated"! Also the fact that he was wearing a linen ephod supports his priestly preparation and matriculation, for the linen ephod was the garment designated for the priests (see passage above). The "ephod" in this verse was a linen robe or covering composed of a close-fitting, sleeveless, apron-like garment, extending to the hips which was worn by someone in priestly service (cf. Ex 28:4-28; see David's linen ephod in 2Sa 6:14). An apparently different meaning for "ephod" is required in Jdg 8:27; 17:5; 18:14. In these passages it seems that the ephod had become cast in metal and made an object of idolatry. Bergen - In his service at Shiloh, Samuel wore the ephod, a sleeveless, hip-length garment that only members of the Levitical tribe were authorized to wear. The clear implication is that Samuel was a member of this tribe (cf. 1 Chr 6:22–28). (Borrow 1 & 2 Samuel - New American Commentary) How was Samuel ministering? We cannot be sure but John Trapp suggests "He did small charges, as setting up lights, laying up vestments, learning music, or the like.” It is also worth noting that the Septuagint translation of was ministering is leitourgeo in the present tense indicating that this was young Samuel's continual, ongoing activity. In other words ministering to the LORD was a "job" in Samuel's mind (even at his young age), but was ingrained as his very lifestyle. THOUGHT - Dear priest of Yahweh, is ministering to the LORD ingrained in your life as your lifestyle? Do you do whatever you do during the day as if it were an act of worship to your LORD? You can. You should. Young Samuel did!

1 Samuel 2

Guzik remarks that "God will never be a debtor to anyone. Hannah could never say to the Lord, “I gave you my son, but what did you give me?” because God gave her much more in return." Bergen - Ultimately God’s gracious (Heb. chen/hen) nature (cf. Ex 34:6) was demonstrated as the Lord provided Hannah, the Woman of Grace, with five additional children—three sons and two daughters. (Borrow 1 & 2 Samuel - New American Commentary) Davis remarks "Hannah has given and now she receives "grace on top of grace" (John 1:16). That is typical, or, as we might say, "vintage Yahweh."....Hannah and her husband now disappear from our story; but they—and their houseful of noisy children (cf. Ps. 127:3-5)—should remain witnesses to us of "the giving God" (Focus on the Bible Commentary – 1 Samuel: Looking on the Heart) And the boy Samuel grew before the LORD - The same verb grew was used of Moses (Ex 2:10). Grew before is literally "grew with" the LORD. If one compares this to similar descriptions of John the Baptist and Jesus (see verses above) this was not just growth physically but spiritually. What a striking contrast the writer paints between the good hand of the LORD upon Samuel and his family and that of the heavy hand of the LORD upon Eli and his family in the following section. THOUGHT - The striking contrast between these two families is a clear reminder of the blessings of obedience and of living righteously before the LORD. This is a truth most of us know, but one wonders how many truly put into practice? Paul juxtaposed these two contrasting paths in his charge to Timothy "But flee (present imperative see our need to depend on the Holy Spirit to obey) from these things, you man of God, and pursue (also (present imperative) righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance and gentleness." (1 Ti 6:11+) Ryrie - Hannah provides an example for fervent prayer (1:10-11, 15), obedience (1:28), worship (2:1-10), and devotion to family (1:24; 2:18-19) that resulted in God's blessing. Visited (06485) paqad conveys the root idea of something that is attended to or set in order -- fighting men under an officer (2 Chr. 17:14), priests in an order (1 Chr. 23:11; 24:19); arrangement of Tabernacle (Nu 4:16[2x]). Office of one in charge of something (Ps 109:8) or officers (2 Ki. 11:18; Isa. 60:17). Usually pequddah means accounting when God attended to people's actions, usually to call them to account for their sins (Nu 16:29; Jer. 48:44). In Job 10:12 God's attention was for Job's good. In the Qal, it can mean "to attend to," "to pay attention to" or "to care for" which is what Yahweh did for Hannah in this context. 1 Samuel 2:22 Now Eli was very old; and he heard all that his sons were doing to all Israel, and how they lay with the women who served at the doorway of the tent of meeting. BGT 1 Samuel 2:22 καὶ Ηλι πρεσβύτης σφόδρα καὶ ἤκουσεν ἃ ἐποίουν οἱ υἱοὶ αὐτοῦ τοῖς υἱοῖς Ισραηλ KJV 1 Samuel 2:22 Now Eli was very old, and heard all that his sons did unto all Israel; and how they lay with the women that assembled at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation. NET 1 Samuel 2:22 Now Eli was very old when he heard about everything that his sons used to do to all the people of Israel and how they used to have sex with the women who were stationed at the entrance to the tent of meeting. CSB 1 Samuel 2:22 Now Eli was very old. He heard about everything his sons were doing to all Israel and how they were sleeping with the women who served at the entrance to the tent of meeting. ESV 1 Samuel 2:22 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. NIV 1 Samuel 2:22 Now Eli, who was very old, heard about everything his sons were doing to all Israel and how they slept with the women who served at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting. NLT 1 Samuel 2:22 Now Eli was very old, but he was aware of what his sons were doing to the people of Israel. He knew, for instance, that his sons were seducing the young women who assisted at the entrance of the Tabernacle. NRS 1 Samuel 2:22 Now Eli was very old. He heard all that his sons were doing to all Israel, and how they lay with the women who served at the entrance to the tent of meeting. RSV 1 Samuel 2:22 Now Eli was very old, and he heard all that his sons were doing to all Israel, and how they lay with the women who served at the entrance to the tent of meeting. YLT 1 Samuel 2:22 And Eli is very old, and hath heard all that his sons do to all Israel, and how that they lie with the women who are assembling at the opening of the tent of meeting, NKJ 1 Samuel 2:22 Now Eli was very old; and he heard everything his sons did to all Israel, and how they lay with the women who assembled at the door of the tabernacle of meeting. NJB 1 Samuel 2:22 Although very old, Eli heard about everything that his sons were doing to all Israel, Now: 1Sa 8:1 did : 1Sa 2:13-17 Jer 7:9,10 Eze 22:26 Ho 4:9-11 women: It is probable that these were persons who had some employment about the tabernacle: see note on Ex 38:8. 1 Samuel 2 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries ELI HEARS TENT OF MEETING TURNED INTO A BROTHEL! Now Eli was very old and he heard all that his sons were doing to all Israel- Why tell us he is very old? This would indicate he was most likely not directly involved in the activities in the tent of meeting. There is another reason which is that Eli had previously failed to rebuke his sons, when he was younger. There is an old saying "When the cat's away, the mice will play," and play they did! We also find out later that he could not see well. Could he not see what his sons were doing? Possibly not, but the evil report came to his ears (he was old but had not lost his hearing), because in v24 we see all the LORD'S people were talking about it! How long Eli knew about his son's evil behavior is not stated. POSB - Wickedness and immorality had become ingrained into their very nature. Their hearts were hardened against the Lord and His commandments. Eli had indulged, given license to their bad behavior for too many years. His parental weakness was now public knowledge: he had pampered his sons, refusing to discipline them with a controlling hand. THOUGHT- The lesson for us is a much needed lesson for parents. We must not pamper, indulge, or give license to the bad behavior of our children. Pampering, indulging, and giving license to misbehavior—whether mild or severe—is a clear sign of parental weakness. And, in most cases, failing to discipline our children will lead them to follow the immoral, wicked ways of the world. (POSB) And how they lay with the women who served (tsaba) at the doorway of the tent of meeting (only use of this term in 1-2 Samuel) - Sex with the women who helped at the tent of meeting compounded their earlier sin (1Sa 2:12-17) and confirmed they were thoroughly wicked "sons of Belial" (1Sa 2:12)! The women served not as priests but by helping in some way (cf Ex. 38:8 = "serving women who served at the doorway of the tent of meeting"). Some writers suggest these women may have been cultic prostitutes which was common among the pagans, but the text does not substantiate that interpretation (cf Hos 4:14)! Remember, these are the priests of Israel and were to be holy, and yet these 2 evil men were anything but holy, resulting in a scandal among the lay people of Israel. This was Israel's version of the sex scandals we see today all too commonly among preachers! Here the name is tent of meeting and in 1Sa 1:9 "the temple of the LORD," suggesting somewhat of a more permanent structure, but even archaeology does not help us unravel the actual composure of the edifice. Davis - Hophni and Phinehas had turned the tabernacle into a brothel, a place where sin was committed rather than confessed NIV Study Bible - The immoral acts of Eli's sons are reminiscent of the religious prostitution (fertility rites) at the Canaanite sanctuaries—acts that were an abomination to the Lord and a desecration of his house (see Dt 23:17-18 R Payne Smith - To the profanity and greed described in 1Sa 2:12-17 the sons of Eli added unchastity; and their sin was the greater because the women whom they corrupted were those dedicated to religious service (see Ex 38:8). (Pulpit Commentary) Woodhouse comments "It is appropriate to see in the lads’ behavior a reenactment of the dreadful rebellion of the Israelites at Shittim; see Numbers 25:1+. The terrible consequences of that event (read the rest of Numbers 25!), never forgotten in Israel (Deuteronomy 4:3; Joshua 22:17; Psalm 106:28–30; Hosea 9:10), may well cause us to shudder when we hear of the conduct of Hophni and Phinehas!...Sadly, in the conduct of these young men we recognize two forms that corruption in leadership commonly takes. The greed of 1Sa 2:13–17, where leaders use their position for personal gain, has damaged many in leadership. The particularly powerful and perverse form of greed mentioned in 1Sa 2:22, sexual immorality, where leaders use their position to exploit others for their own sexual pleasure, is all too familiar. If we have become too cynical to be shocked, we do well to pause. Leadership like that of Hophni and Phinehas was—and is—evil. (Preach the Word - 1 Samuel) Served (06633)(tsaba) has two main meanings, to wage war, to muster into service and to serve, clearly the latter being the sense in 1Sa 2:22. Tsaba is used most often of gathering of people waging war against another city or country (Num. 31:7, 42; Isa. 29:7, 8; Zech. 14:12) and once of the Lord waging war (Isa. 31:4). In the other meaning, tsaba described the religious service in the Tabernacle ( Levites in Nu 4:23; 8:24; Women in Ex 38:8 and 1Sa 2:22). John Hartley has an interesting comment suggesting why tsaba most often refers to war but can refer to religious service writing "No doubt service for Yahweh is seen as involving total dedication and careful regimentation, and since God is Yahweh of hosts, enthroned between the cherubim housed inside the tent of meeting, work associated with the tent may be considered spiritual war." (see TWOT) Tsaba - 13v - one to war(2), made war(1), mustered(2), perform(2), served(1), serving women served(1), wage war(4), war(1). Exod. 38:8; Num. 4:23; Num. 8:24; Num. 31:7; Num. 31:42; 1 Sam. 2:22; 1 Sam. 28:1; 2 Ki. 25:19; Isa. 29:7; Isa. 29:8; Isa. 31:4; Jer. 52:25; Zech. 14:12 QUESTION - What was the tent of meeting? ANSWER - The phrase tent of meeting is used in the Old Testament, specifically in Exodus, Leviticus, and Numbers, as the name of a place where God would meet with His people, Israel. Usually, the “tent of meeting” was used as another name for the Tabernacle of Moses. However, before the tabernacle was constructed, God met with Moses in a temporary tent of meeting: “Now Moses used to take a tent and pitch it outside the camp some distance away, calling it the ‘tent of meeting.’ Anyone inquiring of the Lord would go to the tent of meeting outside the camp. . . . As Moses went into the tent, the pillar of cloud would come down and stay at the entrance, while the Lord spoke with Moses” (Exodus 33:7, 9). The fact that Moses set up the tent of meeting outside of the camp underscored that the people had broken fellowship with God at Sinai when they had made the golden calf (see Exodus 33:3). After the tabernacle was built, Moses no longer needed his temporary tent, and the term tent of meeting began to be applied to the tabernacle. In the Law that God gave Moses, God provided specific instructions to build a place of worship (Exodus 25—27). This “tent of meeting” or tabernacle could be taken up and moved each time they changed locations while wandering in the wilderness. The word tabernacle is an English rendition of the Hebrew word miskan, or “dwelling place.” The tabernacle was a temporary dwelling place for the Ark of the Covenant and the other holy items that the Israelites were instructed to use in the worship of and sacrifice to Yahweh. Interestingly, the word tent or tabernacle is also used in the New Testament to draw profound spiritual conclusions about salvation. Both Paul and the writer of Hebrews make a distinction between a heavenly tent and an earthly tent, between what was “built by human hands” and what is “not part of this creation” (2 Corinthians 5:1; Hebrews 9:11). Hebrews 9:1–10 describes the earthly tabernacle, or “tent of meeting,” as a place into which the priests would go to offer sacrifices for the sins of the people. Then, in verse 11, Christ is shown to be a better “high priest” who entered once through the “greater and more perfect tent,” referring to His body, to offer a sacrifice that would satisfy the wrath of God completely, for all time. This refers to His blood shed on the cross. The point of the passage is to show how, if the blood of animals could temporarily cleanse worshipers of the guilt of sin, the perfect blood of Christ, the Lamb of God, would cleanse His followers perfectly—that is, eternally—of their sins. In Hebrews 10:14, the writer says that Jesus has “perfected forever those who are being sanctified.” This verse expresses a spiritual paradox. By entering the “tent of meeting,” which was His own body, and offering up His own blood, Christ “perfected forever” those who have faith in Him. And the result of belief in Christ is sanctification, a continual upward spiral of holiness and closeness to God, as the Holy Spirit performs His work within Christ’s followers. In this way, we are eternally “perfect” because of the preciousness of Christ’s blood applied to our lives, yet at the same time we are “being sanctified” by the Holy Spirit who indwells us and changes us into the image of Christ (Ephesians 2:8–9; Romans 8:29). Paul also mentions the “tent of meeting” or the tabernacle, comparing it to the earthly human body: “For we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this tent we groan, longing to put on our heavenly dwelling, if indeed by putting it on we may not be found naked. For while we are still in this tent, we groan, being burdened—not that we would be unclothed, but that we would be further clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee” (2 Corinthians 5:1–5). When Paul says, “The tent that is our earthly home,” he is referring to our earthly body, our temporary dwelling place. Just as the Israelites moved the tent of meeting from place to place waiting for entrance to the Promised Land, believers in Christ are wanderers on the earth—people who are not “at home” in the world and who “seek a city that is to come” (Hebrews 13:14). Paul says that those who belong to God will be “further clothed” with immortality upon their deaths and that their earthly tent (their body) will be replaced with a “heavenly dwelling.” God does the work of preparing us for that day of glorification by the process of sanctification by the Spirit, and that work happening within us is a “guarantee” that our inheritance and our heavenly dwelling are real. “In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory” (Ephesians 1:13–15).GotQuestions.org John

1 Samuel 2

Guzik - Eli did about the worst thing a parent can do in trying to correct their children: just talk. All he did was whine about what they did wrong, but he never took the necessary actions to correct the problem. Parents would be better off to yell less, lecture less, and to take sensible action more often, letting the children see the consequences for their disobedience.. Writing from the 17th century, John Trapp advises Eli on what he should have said: “Draw near hither, ye sons of the sorceress, the seed of the adulterer and the whore . . . ye degenerate brood and sons of Belial, and not of Eli; ye brats of fathomless perdition . . . It is stark stinking naught that I hear, and woe is me that I yet live to hear it; it had been better that I had died long since, or that you had been buried alive, than this to live and stink above the ground.” 1 Samuel 2:24 "No, my sons; for the report is not good which I hear the LORD'S people circulating. BGT 1 Samuel 2:24 μή τέκνα ὅτι οὐκ ἀγαθὴ ἡ ἀκοή ἣν ἐγὼ ἀκούω μὴ ποιεῖτε οὕτως ὅτι οὐκ ἀγαθαὶ αἱ ἀκοαί ἃς ἐγὼ ἀκούω τοῦ μὴ δουλεύειν λαὸν θεῷ KJV 1 Samuel 2:24 Nay, my sons; for it is no good report that I hear: ye make the LORD'S people to transgress. NET 1 Samuel 2:24 This ought not to be, my sons! For the report that I hear circulating among the LORD's people is not good. CSB 1 Samuel 2:24 No, my sons, the report I hear from the LORD's people is not good. ESV 1 Samuel 2:24 No, my sons; it is no good report that I hear the people of the LORD spreading abroad. NIV 1 Samuel 2:24 No, my sons; it is not a good report that I hear spreading among the LORD's people. NLT 1 Samuel 2:24 You must stop, my sons! The reports I hear among the LORD's people are not good. NRS 1 Samuel 2:24 No, my sons; it is not a good report that I hear the people of the LORD spreading abroad. RSV 1 Samuel 2:24 No, my sons; it is no good report that I hear the people of the LORD spreading abroad. YLT 1 Samuel 2:24 Nay, my sons; for the report which I am hearing is not good causing the people of Jehovah to transgress. -- NKJ 1 Samuel 2:24 "No, my sons! For it is not a good report that I hear. You make the LORD'S people transgress. NJB 1 Samuel 2:24 No, my sons, what I hear reported by the people of Yahweh is not good. not good: Ac 6:3 2Co 6:8 1Ti 3:7 3Jn 1:12 make (KJV): 1Sa 2:17,22 Ex 32:21 1Ki 13:18-21 15:30 2Ki 10:31 Mal 2:8 Mt 18:7 2Pe 2:18 Rev 2:20 1 Samuel 2 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries SCANDALOUS REPORT IN ISRAEL No, my sons; for the report is not good which I hear the LORD'S people circulating - Eli with an understatement (report is not good) still fails to confront their blatant sin directly. He should have called them "my worthless sons!" Note that the KJV renders the last part of the verse "ye make the LORD'S people to transgress," and there is support for that rendering in the Septuagint translation which reads "so that the people do not serve God." David Guzik picks up on this rendering and offers the interpretation that "this was the great sin of Eli’s sons. It was bad enough that they stole and indulged their own lusts; but they also, by their corrupt behavior, made people hate to worship God with their offerings at the tabernacle (1 Samuel 2:17), and they led women worshippers into sexual immorality." Wycliffe Bible Commentary adds "The Septuagint reads, so that the Lord's people do not worship; i.e., refuse to attend the services because the leaders are immoral." 1 Samuel 2:25 "If one man sins against another, God will mediate for him; but if a man sins against the LORD, who can intercede for him?" But they would not listen to the voice of their father, for the LORD desired to put them to death. BGT 1 Samuel 2:25 ἐὰν ἁμαρτάνων ἁμάρτῃ ἀνὴρ εἰς ἄνδρα καὶ προσεύξονται ὑπὲρ αὐτοῦ πρὸς κύριον καὶ ἐὰν τῷ κυρίῳ ἁμάρτῃ τίς προσεύξεται ὑπὲρ αὐτοῦ καὶ οὐκ ἤκουον τῆς φωνῆς τοῦ πατρὸς αὐτῶν ὅτι βουλόμενος ἐβούλετο κύριος διαφθεῖραι αὐτούς KJV 1 Samuel 2:25 If one man sin against another, the judge shall judge him: but if a man sin against the LORD, who shall intreat for him? Notwithstanding they hearkened not unto the voice of their father, because the LORD would slay them. NET 1 Samuel 2:25 If a man sins against a man, one may appeal to God on his behalf. But if a man sins against the LORD, who then will intercede for him?" But Eli's sons would not listen to their father, for the LORD had decided to kill them. CSB 1 Samuel 2:25 If a man sins against another man, God can intercede for him, but if a man sins against the LORD, who can intercede for him?" But they would not listen to their father, since the LORD intended to kill them. ESV 1 Samuel 2:25 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. NIV 1 Samuel 2:25 If a man sins against another man, God may mediate for him; but if a man sins against the LORD, who will intercede for him?" His sons, however, did not listen to their father's rebuke, for it was the LORD's will to put them to death. NLT 1 Samuel 2:25 If someone sins against another person, God can mediate for the guilty party. But if someone sins against the LORD, who can intercede?" But Eli's sons wouldn't listen to their father, for the LORD was already planning to put them to death. NRS 1 Samuel 2:25 If one person sins against another, someone can intercede for the sinner with the LORD; but if someone sins against the LORD, who can make intercession?" But they would not listen to the voice of their father; for it was the will of the LORD to kill them. RSV 1 Samuel 2:25 If a man sins against a man, God will mediate for him; but if a man 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 slay them. YLT 1 Samuel 2:25 If a man sin against a man, then hath God judged him; but if against Jehovah a man sin, who doth pray for him?' and they hearken not to the voice of their father, though Jehovah hath delighted to put them to death. NKJ 1 Samuel 2:25 "If one man sins against another, God will judge him. But if a man sins against the LORD, who will intercede for him?" Nevertheless they did not heed the voice of their father, because the LORD desired to kill them. NJB 1 Samuel 2:25 If one person sins against another, God will be the arbiter, but if he sins against Yahweh, who will intercede for him?' But they did not listen to their father's words, for Yahweh was bent on killing them. sins against: De 17:8-12 25:1-3 if a man: 1Sa 3:14 Nu 15:30 Ps 51:4,16 Heb 10:26 who can: 1Ti 2:5 Heb 7:25 listen: De 2:30 Jos 11:20 2Ch 25:16 Pr 15:10 Joh 12:39,40 for: Rather, therefore, as the particle {kee} also signifies (see Ps 116:10:) "Therefore Jehovah purposed to destroy them." 1 Samuel 2 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries ELI'S BELATED REBUKE FALLS ON DEAF, DEFIANT EARS! If one man sins against another, God will mediate for him (or "God shall judge him"); but if a man sins against the LORD, who can intercede for him?" - Note the clear contrast - there is a chance for relief in the first situation, but not i the latter! (Have I ever sinned against the LORD? Rhetorical of course - another evidence of His great mercy that I can write these words!) The idea is that when the dispute is between men, God might mediate or intercede, but when the sin is directly against Yahweh, no intercession is possible. The implication is that only thing left in the latter scenario is condemnation. Eli gives them what should have been a fearful warning, but he should have also barred them from Temple duty. Smith adds "In case of wrong done between man and man, God as the supreme Arbitrator settles the dispute; but where the two parties are God and man, what third power is there which can interfere? The quarrel must go on to the bitter end, and God, who is your opponent, will also punish you." NIV Study Bible - Eli's argument is that when someone commits an offense against another person, there is recourse to a third party to decide the issue (whether this be understood as God or as God's representatives, the judges; see NIV text notes on Ex 22:8-9); but when the offense is against the Lord, there is no recourse, for God is both the one wronged and the judge. Bergen - Eli the judge used the imagery of a legal dispute in warning his sons. In a case pitting two people against each other, God could work either through his revealed law or through circumstances to exonerate the person charged with wrongdoing. However, if a person were pitted against the Lord in court, the human could expect only condemnation. Hophni and Phinehas, having committed capital offenses (cf. Lev 7:25; 22:9), could expect the Lord to bring the death penalty upon them. (Borrow 1 & 2 Samuel - New American Commentary) But they would not listen to the voice of their father - Their crimes were capital crimes and, if unrepented and uncorrected, it would have been Eli's responsibility to have them executed (read Deut 21:18-21+). for the LORD desired to put them to death - ESV = "it was the will of the LORD." NET = " for the LORD had decided to kill them." NIV = "for it was the LORD's will to put them to death." The last part of this clause indicates Eli's warning was as they say "too little, too late," for these worthless sons were intractable in their evil behavior, so that God's judgment was a forgone conclusion. The reaction of Hophni and Phinehas borders on arrogance (something like "we are untouchable") but one is reminded of Hannah's words in 1Sa 2:3 "“Boast no more so very proudly, Do not let arrogance come out of your mouth; For the LORD is a God of knowledge, And with Him actions are weighed." Indeed, the high-handed actions of Hophni and Phinehas had been weighed by God and they were found wanting on the divine scales of justice, thus the explanation that the LORD desired to put them to death. POSB - Scripture clearly says that it was the Lord’s will to put them to death, and chapter four will show how they died. It was the Lord’s will for the priesthood to be pure, clean, and holy. The Lord does not take pleasure in killing people, for He is long-suffering and not willing that any should perish (2 Pe. 3:9). But the Lord does execute justice upon the earth. In dealing with the priesthood and the ministry to God’s people, it was both moral and just for God to begin removing these wicked priests who had corrupted the ministry. MacArthur makes an interesting comment - Because Eli's sons had persisted in their evil ways, God had already determined to judge them. This divine, judicial hardening, the result of defiant refusal to repent in the past, was the reason Hophni and Phinehas refused to heed Eli's warnings. (ED: See also "Hard Sayings" below). (Borrow The MacArthur Study Bible) Woodhouse adds "They had gone too far. They were beyond repentance (cf. Hebrews 6:4–6). The Lord had given them up to their contempt for him and his ways (cf. Romans 1:24, 26, 28)." This is not a truth about God that we like to hear. But it is a grave mistake to think that verse 25 allows the blame for the young men’s hardness of heart to be placed on God. Their hardness was both their own choice and God’s judgment on them for that choice. It was like the hardening of Pharaoh’s heart in the days of Moses. Pharaoh hardened his own heart (Exodus 8:15, 32; 9:34; cf. 7:13, 14, 22; 8:19; 9:7, 35), and God hardened Pharaoh’s heart (Exodus 4:21; 7:3; 9:12; 10:1, 20, 27; 11:10; 14:4, 8). The one truth does not exclude the other. (Preach the Word) Smith has a slightly different take - Naturally to so mild a remonstrance (FROM EIL), and founded upon so low a view of the Divine nature, the sons of Eli paid but slight attention, and by thus hardening themselves in sin they made their punishment inevitable, "because it pleased Jehovah to slay them." Believers' Study Bible on for the LORD desired to put them to death - The second part of this verse does not indicate that this sin was predetermined and inescapable. As in the statement that "the Lord hardened the heart of Pharaoh" (Ex. 9:12), these words describe a man who chooses his own course and justly receives the consequent action of God. The sin of cultic prostitution being committed (v. 22) was particularly heinous because of its clear association with Canaanite religious prostitution. Hard Sayings of the Bible - 1Sa 2:25 Did God Prevent Eli’s Sons from Repenting? In what way was it God’s will to put Eli’s sons to death? Does this mean that God actually intervened in some way to make sure that Hophni and Phinehas never repented and were therefore condemned to die? How free were the wills of these two priestly sons of the high priest, Eli, in this regard? The Lord can both reverse the fortunes of the poor and rich (1 Sam 2:6) and confirm the hardness of heart of the rebellious and reprobate (1 Sam 2:25). The hapless Eli, now in his advanced years, had more than he could contend with in his two strong-willed sons. To their earlier callous treatment of the Israelites who came bringing offerings to the house of God (1 Sam 2:13–16) the men now added sexual promiscuity (1 Sam 2:22; compare Ex 38:8). Such ritual prostitution, as practiced among their Canaanite neighbors, was strictly forbidden in Israel (Num 25:1–5; Deut 23:17; Amos 2:7–8). Eli finally challenged the riotous and autocratic conduct of his two sons, but the rebuke fell on deaf ears: the men were determined to do what they were determined to do (1 Sam 2:25). What followed, then, was another instance of divine judicial hardening. Just as the Pharaoh of Israel’s oppression in Egypt defiantly refused any invitations to repent, even though God mercifully sent him one plague after another as a sign to that same effect, so God had finally decided in this case that he would end Eli’s sons’ lives: the decision was irrevocable. Was this unfair or sudden? Hardly. God must have been calling these men to change for many years, but they, like Pharaoh, squandered these times of mercy and opportunities for change until time was no longer available. Moreover, the double jeopardy rule was in vogue here, for those who serve in the ministry of the things of God are doubly accountable, both for themselves and for those who look up to them for teaching and example (Jas 3:1). They had thereby sinned against the Lord. If the case seems to draw more judgment more swiftly, then let the fact that these men were under the double jeopardy rule be factored in and the appropriateness of the action will be more than vindicated. See also comment on EXODUS 9:12. Richard Hawker - If one man sin against another, the judge shall judge him. But if a man sin against the Lord, who shall entreat for him?—1 Samuel 2:25. It is a very solemn thing to behold a trembling convicted malefactor, when standing before an earthly tribunal, although the judge is of the same nature with himself: for every thing is solemn, earnest, and impartial. But what is the awfulness of a court of human judicature, compared to that day, in which a whole world, all found guilty before God, shall stand before the judgment-seat of Christ? In this life, there is, for the most part, somewhat to mitigate, and to excite hope in the worst of cases; some tender-hearted friend, some kind neighbour, some feeling relation, will be found to arise, to soften, if not able to relieve, the guilty man’s distress. But at that tribunal, where none can plead, and where all hearts are open, what shall be found to stop the overwhelming horrors of the condemned?—Pause, my soul, over the view, for it is solemn. If one man sin against another thus breaking the law, the judge shall judge him: and who is the Judge but Jesus? Here he that is the Judge is also the Advocate of his people; yea, their surety, their law-fulfiller; so that, as the apostle was commissioned to tell the Church, “If any man sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; and he is the propitiation for our sins.” (1 John 2:1, 2.) Precious thought! soul-supporting consolation! To all the sins and offences, both against God and man, the believer may plead the blood and righteousness of Jesus, as the law fulfiller and ransom paid for sin. But if a man sin against the Lord himself, by rejecting this counsel of God against his own soul, who then shall entreat for him? For the only Advocate, he slights; the only propitiation, he disclaims; and as there is I salvation in no other, and there remaineth no more sacrifice for sin, to whom, in that awful day of God, will he look: or who but Jesus could take up his cause? O ye that know not Christ, or ye that slight him, think, before it be too late, what paleness, dread, and horror, must arrest that soul, which, when weighed in the balances, shall be found wanting! Cherish, my soul, the blessedness of thy hope, which is founded wholly on the Mediator’s righteousness; and resteth on what can never fail of acceptance, because founded both on the merit of Christ and God the Father’s own appointment—redemption in the blood of the Lamb, and being made accepted in the Beloved. 1 Samuel 2:26 Now the boy Samuel was growing in stature and in favor both with the LORD and with men. BGT 1 Samuel 2:26 καὶ τὸ παιδάριον Σαμουηλ ἐπορεύετο καὶ ἐμεγαλύνετο καὶ ἀγαθὸν καὶ μετὰ κυρίου καὶ μετὰ ἀνθρώπων KJV 1 Samuel 2:26 And the child Samuel grew on, and was in favour both with the LORD, and also with men. NET 1 Samuel 2:26 Now the boy Samuel was growing up and finding favor both with the LORD and with people. CSB 1 Samuel 2:26 By contrast, the boy Samuel grew in stature and in favor with the LORD and with men. ESV 1 Samuel 2:26 Now the boy Samuel continued to grow both in stature and in favor with the LORD and also with man. NIV 1 Samuel 2:26 And the boy Samuel continued to grow in stature and in favor with the LORD and with men. NLT 1 Samuel 2:26 Meanwhile, the boy Samuel grew taller and grew in favor with the LORD and with the people. NRS 1 Samuel 2:26 Now the boy Samuel continued to grow both in stature and in favor with the LORD and with the people. RSV 1 Samuel 2:26 Now the boy Samuel continued to grow both in stature and in favor with the LORD and with men. YLT 1 Samuel 2:26 And the youth Samuel is going on and growing up, and is good both with Jehovah, and also with men. NKJ 1 Samuel 2:26 And the child Samuel grew in stature, and in favor both with the LORD and men. NJB 1 Samuel 2:26 Meanwhile, the child Samuel went on growing in stature and in favour both with Yahweh and with people. was growing in stature and in favor: 1Sa 2:21 was in: Pr 3:3 Lu 1:80 2:40,52 Ac 2:47 Ro 14:18 1 Samuel 2 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries GROWING IN GRACE Now - Now functions almost like a "but" because the contrast between Eli's sons and Hannah's son is so dramatic! The CSB in fact translates it "By contrast" to highlight the change in this story. Praise God it does not go from bad to worse but from bad to good! Hophni and Phinehas' sins were however going from bad to worse and would eventually end in their death which was orchestrated by God the righteous Judge. Eli's sons condemned, while Hannah's son commended. The boy Samuel was growing in stature and in favor both with the LORD and with men - Stature (gadel; Lxx = magaluno = to make great, name, reputation) can also be translated "becoming great," which in an apt description of young Samuel as subsequent events would prove. Samuel was growing physically but clearly growing spiritually. Was Eli his tutor? The text does not say, but it is possible. Ultimately of course the Spirit was His Tutor as He is for all who are growing in grace. Note the parallel here with the testimony concerning the child Jesus: "And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man" (Luke 2:52+). Note that this story was at the end of the dark days of Judges and the priestly line (the spiritual leaders) had become corrupt, but God was still in control and was making certain that He would preserve a godly remnant in young Samuel (See remnant). TODAY IN THE WORD The boy Samuel continued to grow in stature and in favor with the Lord and with men. - 1 Samuel 2:26 One of the hardest times in parenthood comes while the child is 'sleeping like a baby.' In other words, the baby's crying in the middle of the night. Many times, parents can't resist running in to hold the baby or to calm the child with a bottle of milk. As this trend continues over the years, those parents soon learn that they have not taught the child discipline. The ability to say 'no' to a child can frame an entire lifetime of behavior. Catering to a child's every whim can teach children to have a very selfish attitude. Without a loving firmness toward children, parents meet the child's strongest desires, but ignore their child's best interests. Parents who love their children must discipline them (Proverbs 13:24; 19:18). Lenience in the guise of kindness only spoils children. Perhaps that's where Eli failed as a father to his two sons, Hophni and Phinehas. They were wicked priests, who bullied the worshippers and dared to put themselves ahead of God in the offering sequence (1 Sam. 2:17). Eli was aware not only of these sins, but also of his sons' sexual immorality (they were probably imitating neighboring pagan practices). The contrast with Samuel could not be more obvious. His mother's faithfulness was rewarded God blessed her with five more children. Samuel's own growth in the Lord (v. 26; cf. Prov. 3:1-4) was explicitly echoed later in the Bible, in reference to our Lord Jesus Christ (Lk. 2:52)! That verse in Luke 2 isn't the only parallel. As with Jesus, Samuel's birth was a miracle of God. And like Jesus' mother (Lk. 1:46-55), Samuel's mother responded with words of praise. Most importantly, the child Samuel was learning to walk in righteousness and to follow the Lord. TODAY ALONG THE WAY As you know, this month's study focuses on the life of Samuel and the early history of Israel under the kings. As we study, we'll discover how crucial the righteousness of individual leaders is to the fate of the nation. On this Independence Day in the United States, it seems especially appropriate to pray for our nation's leaders (1 Tim. 2:1-2). Pray that integrity will be a high priority in their lives. Pray that those who do not know God will be brought to an understanding of who He is. Pray that Christians in politics will have special wisdom for how to lead godly lives in this difficult arena. Remember that the Lord is sovereign in the area of politics (Prov. 21:1), just as He is in all other areas of life. 1 Samuel 2:27 Then a man of God came to Eli and said to him, "Thus says the LORD, 'Did I not indeed reveal Myself to the house of your father when they were in Egypt in bondage to Pharaoh's house? BGT 1 Samuel 2:27 καὶ ἦλθεν ἄνθρωπος θεοῦ πρὸς Ηλι καὶ εἶπεν τάδε λέγει κύριος ἀποκαλυφθεὶς ἀπεκαλύφθην πρὸς οἶκον πατρός σου ὄντων αὐτῶν ἐν γῇ Αἰγύπτῳ δούλων τῷ οἴκῳ Φαραω KJV 1 Samuel 2:27 And there came a man of God unto Eli, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Did I plainly appear unto the house of thy father, when they were in Egypt in Pharaoh's house? NET 1 Samuel 2:27 A man of God came to Eli and said to him, "This is what the LORD says: 'Did I not plainly reveal myself to your ancestor's house when they were in Egypt in the house of Pharaoh? CSB 1 Samuel 2:27 A man of God came to Eli and said to him, "This is what the LORD says: 'Didn't I reveal Myself to your ancestral house when it was in Egypt and belonged to Pharaoh's palace? ESV 1 Samuel 2:27 And there came a man of God to Eli and said to him, "Thus says the LORD, 'Did I indeed reveal myself to the house of your father when they were in Egypt subject to the house of Pharaoh? NIV 1 Samuel 2:27 Now a man of God came to Eli and said to him, "This is what the LORD says: 'Did I not clearly reveal myself to your father's house when they were in Egypt under Pharaoh? NLT 1 Samuel 2:27 One day a man of God came to Eli and gave him this message from the LORD: "I revealed myself to your ancestors when the people of Israel were slaves in Egypt. NRS 1 Samuel 2:27 A man of God came to Eli and said to him, "Thus the LORD has said, 'I revealed myself to the family of your ancestor in Egypt when they were slaves to the house of Pharaoh. RSV 1 Samuel 2:27 And there came a man of God to Eli, and said to him, "Thus the LORD has said, `I revealed myself to the house of your father when they were in Egypt subject to the house of Pharaoh. YLT 1 Samuel 2:27 And there cometh a man of God unto Eli, and saith unto him, 'Thus said Jehovah, Was I really revealed unto the house of thy father in their being in Egypt, before Pharaoh's house, NKJ 1 Samuel 2:27 Then a man of God came to Eli and said to him, "Thus says the LORD:`Did I not clearly reveal Myself to the house of your father when they were in Egypt in Pharaoh's house? NJB 1 Samuel 2:27 A man of God came to Eli and said to him, 'This is what Yahweh says, "Did I not reveal myself to your father's family when they were in Egypt as slaves in Pharaoh's household? a man: 1Sa 9:4 De 33:1 Jud 6:8 13:6 1Ki 13:1 1Ti 6:11 2Pe 1:21 Did I: Ex 4:14,27 1 Samuel 2 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries MAN OF GOD SPEAKS GOD'S WORDS TO ELI Then - This time sensitive word should always attract our attention as it generally marks a transition or progression, as in a narrative such as 1 Samuel.

1 Samuel 2

Guzik - If Eli were more afraid of offending God and less afraid of offending his sons he would have corrected them as he should have. Eric Liddell was one of Britain’s great athletes, and later he gave his life for Jesus on the mission field. In 1924 he was to run for Britain in the Olympics when it was discovered that the preliminary heats of his best event – the 100 meters – would be run on a Sunday. Quietly but firmly, Liddell refused to run. The day of 400 meters race came, and as Liddell went to the starting blocks, an unknown man slipped a piece of paper in his hand with a quotation from 1 Samuel 2:30: Those who honor Me I will honor. That day Eric Liddell set a world’s record in the 400 meters. Despise (0959) bazah is from a root meaning to accord little worth to something) means to disdain or to hold in contempt. Bazah is used in a number of places to mean “despise” in the sense of treating someone or something as totally insignificant or worthless. Bazah means to raise the head loftily and disdainfully, to look down one's nose at something (so to speak)! The idea is that one undervalues something or someone which implies contempt for that thing or person (in this case God's Name in Mal 1:6 and here His table/altar, the place He is to be worshipped, revered, and adored! Woe!) Lest we be too hard on these ancient Israelites, let us "moderns" consider what we do EVERY TIME we willfully sin against God! Are you as convicted as I am! In fact Larry Richards writes that "Disobedience and other sins are portrayed in the OT as nothing less than evidences that we despise God. When we disobey, we show that we place little value on the Lord." Bruce K Waltke writes - The use of baza shows that disobedience to the Lord is based on "contempt, despising" of him. Thus David's adultery with Bathsheba is equated with contempt for the Lord (2 Sa12:10) and his word (v. 19). The opposite of baza is kabed "to honor" (1Sa 2:30), yare' "to fear" (Pr 14:2), and shamar "to keep" commandments (Pr 19:16). Lightly esteemed (curse, despise) 07043) qalal means first of all to be slight, to be trivial, to be trifling, to be swift. There are a number of nuances of this verb but most reflect somehow upon the main idea of slightness or lightness and thus the first use of galal in Ge 8:8, 11 refer to the flood waters being abated (receding, becoming "slight" if you will). In Ge 8:21 in the third use of galal God promises to "never again curse the ground on account of man." Over 1/2 of the uses of galal are rendered as some variation of to curse. One of the more famous uses is in Ge 12:3 where Jehovah promises "I will bless those who bless you, and the one who curses (qalal) you I will curse (arar - 0779)." Sarah "despised (considered slight so to speak)" Hagar when the latter became pregnant with Abram's child Ishmael (Ge 16:4, 5). Moses would receive help judging the people so it would "be easier for" him (Ex 18:22). Qalal - 73v - abated(2), accursed(1), brought a curse(1), contempt(1), contemptible(1), curse(15), cursed(16), curses(8), cursing(2), despise(1), despised(2), ease(1), easier(1), easy(2), insignificant(1), light a thing(1), lighten(5), lightly esteemed(2), make it lighter(2), moved to and fro(1), shakes(1), sharpen(1), slight thing(1), small a thing(1), superficially(2), swift(1), swifter(5), treat us with contempt(1), treated(1), treated and lightly(1), trivial(1), trivial thing(1). Gen. 8:8; Gen. 8:11; Gen. 8:21; Gen. 12:3; Gen. 16:4; Gen. 16:5; Exod. 18:22; Exod. 21:17; Exod. 22:28; Lev. 19:14; Lev. 20:9; Lev. 24:11; Lev. 24:14; Lev. 24:15; Lev. 24:23; Deut. 23:4; Jos. 24:9; Jdg. 9:27; 1 Sam. 2:30; 1 Sam. 3:13; 1 Sam. 6:5; 1 Sam. 17:43; 1 Sam. 18:23; 2 Sam. 1:23; 2 Sam. 6:22; 2 Sam. 16:5; 2 Sam. 16:7; 2 Sam. 16:9; 2 Sam. 16:10; 2 Sam. 16:11; 2 Sam. 16:13; 2 Sam. 19:21; 2 Sam. 19:43; 1 Ki. 2:8; 1 Ki. 12:4; 1 Ki. 12:9; 1 Ki. 12:10; 1 Ki. 16:31; 2 Ki. 2:24; 2 Ki. 3:18; 2 Ki. 20:10; 2 Chr. 10:4; 2 Chr. 10:9; 2 Chr. 10:10; Neh. 13:2; Neh. 13:25; Job 3:1; Job 7:6; Job 9:25; Job 24:18; Job 40:4; Ps. 37:22; Ps. 62:4; Ps. 109:28; Prov. 14:6; Prov. 20:20; Prov. 30:10; Prov. 30:11; Eccl. 7:21; Eccl. 7:22; Eccl. 10:10; Eccl. 10:20; Isa. 8:21; Isa. 9:1; Isa. 23:9; Isa. 30:16; Isa. 49:6; Isa. 65:20; Jer. 4:13; Jer. 4:24; Jer. 6:14; Jer. 8:11; Jer. 15:10; Ezek. 8:17; Ezek. 21:21; Ezek. 22:7; Jon. 1:5; Nah. 1:14; Hab. 1:8 Chariot of Fire - Robert Morgan (Borrow From this verse : 365 inspiring stories about the power of God's word) … those who honor Me I will honor, and those who despise Me shall be lightly esteemed. 1 Samuel 2:30 Leaving his young son in boarding school in Great Britain was the hardest thing Rev. James Dunlop Liddell, Scottish missionary to China, had ever done. But Eric thrived like a hare in the highlands. He studied hard. He loved sports, particularly rugby. He joined a Bible study, attended church regularly, and became a member of the Crusader Christian Union. He also began his lifelong habit of early morning Bible reading and prayer. Eric advanced to the university, joined the track team, and won races like a thoroughbred. Every week he brought home more prizes and trophies until he soon ran out of storage space. His legs became a Scottish national treasure, and all the world followed him to the 1924 Olympics. All the while, Eric’s Christian life continued on the fast track as well, and his newly-found fame gave opportunities for preaching and witnessing. At the Paris Olympics, his faith was put to the test when his chosen venue, the 100 meter race, was scheduled for Sunday. Eric, who didn’t believe in competing on the Lord’s Day, opted out. He entered the 400 meter run instead as the world watched and wondered. In his dressing room just before the race, Eric unfolded a small bit of paper that had been given to him by the team masseur. It read: “In the old book it says ‘He that honors me I will honor.’ Wishing you the best of success always.” Eric knew the verse well. It was 1 Samuel 2:30. He smiled and made up his mind that, win or lose, he would honor God. His time that day was 47.6 seconds. He won. He set a new world record. He and the Lord had honored each other. Today’s Suggested Reading - 1 Samuel 2:26–36