1 Samuel 2

1 Samuel 2

Henry notes, God has gracious reasons for sending this message to Eli. The hearts of Hophni and Phinehas are hard, and their doom is determined. But Eli might yet be called back to obedience. “The message is sent to Eli himself, because God would bring him to repentance and save him; not to his sons, whom He had determined to destroy,” Henry writes in his commentary. CORAM DEO Eli’s sons deserved to be deposed from the priesthood, but Eli’s “love” for them prevented him from taking strong action. In so doing, he set aside his love for God and His law. He needed to remember that proper discipline for sin shows love for God and the sinner. Pray that your church leaders will keep this balance of affections. 1 Samuel 2:28 '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? BGT 1 Samuel 2:28 καὶ ἐξελεξάμην τὸν οἶκον τοῦ πατρός σου ἐκ πάντων τῶν σκήπτρων Ισραηλ ἐμοὶ ἱερατεύειν καὶ ἀναβαίνειν ἐπὶ θυσιαστήριόν μου καὶ θυμιᾶν θυμίαμα καὶ αἴρειν εφουδ καὶ ἔδωκα τῷ οἴκῳ τοῦ πατρός σου τὰ πάντα τοῦ πυρὸς υἱῶν Ισραηλ εἰς βρῶσιν KJV 1 Samuel 2:28 And did I choose him out of all the tribes of Israel to be my priest, to offer upon mine altar, to burn incense, to wear an ephod before me? and did I give unto the house of thy father all the offerings made by fire of the children of Israel? NET 1 Samuel 2:28 I chose your ancestor from all the tribes of Israel to be my priest, to offer sacrifice on my altar, to burn incense, and to bear the ephod before me. I gave to your ancestor's house all the fire offerings made by the Israelites. CSB 1 Samuel 2:28 Out of all the tribes of Israel, I selected your house to be priests, to offer sacrifices on My altar, to burn incense, and to wear an ephod in My presence. I also gave your house all the Israelite fire offerings. ESV 1 Samuel 2:28 Did I choose him out of all the tribes of Israel to be my priest, to go up to my altar, to burn incense, to wear an ephod before me? I gave to the house of your father all my offerings by fire from the people of Israel. NIV 1 Samuel 2:28 I chose your father out of all the tribes of Israel to be my priest, to go up to my altar, to burn incense, and to wear an ephod in my presence. I also gave your father's house all the offerings made with fire by the Israelites. NLT 1 Samuel 2:28 I chose your ancestor Aaron from among all the tribes of Israel to be my priest, to offer sacrifices on my altar, to burn incense, and to wear the priestly vest as he served me. And I assigned the sacrificial offerings to you priests. NRS 1 Samuel 2:28 I chose him out of all the tribes of Israel to be my priest, to go up to my altar, to offer incense, to wear an ephod before me; and I gave to the family of your ancestor all my offerings by fire from the people of Israel. RSV 1 Samuel 2:28 And I chose him out of all the tribes of Israel to be my priest, to go up to my altar, to burn incense, to wear an ephod before me; and I gave to the house of your father all my offerings by fire from the people of Israel. YLT 1 Samuel 2:28 even to choose him out of all the tribes of Israel to Me for a priest, to go up on Mine altar, to make a perfume, to bear an ephod before Me, and I give to the house of thy father all the fire-offerings of the sons of Israel? NKJ 1 Samuel 2:28 `Did I not choose him out of all the tribes of Israel to be My priest, to offer upon My altar, to burn incense, and to wear an ephod before Me? And did I not give to the house of your father all the offerings of the children of Israel made by fire? NJB 1 Samuel 2:28 Did I not single him out of all the tribes of Israel to be my priest, to go up to my altar, to burn the offering, to carry the ephod in my presence; and did I not grant all the burnt offerings made by the Israelites to your father's family? And did I: Ex 28:1,4,6-30 29:4-37 39:1-7 Lev 8:7,8 Nu 16:5 17:5-8 18:1-7 2Sa 12:7 did I give: Lev 2:3,10 6:16 7:7,8,32,34,35 10:14,15 Nu 5:9,10 18:8,19 De 18:1-8 1 Samuel 2 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries REVIEW OF THE DUTIES OF THE HOLY PRIESTS Did I not choose them from all the tribes of Israel to be My priests - Answer? Yes! The tribe of Levi was the tribe God choose to be the source of the priests in His Tabernacle. Not every Levite was a priest, but every priest was a Levite. ESV Study Bible note says "Your father” probably refers specifically to Ithamar, son of Aaron, who was made a priest of the Lord at Mount Sinai along with his father and brothers (Ex. 28:1; cf. 1 Chron. 24:3). Eli was a descendant of this house, according to 1 Chron. 24:3, where it is stated that his great-great-great-grandson Ahimelech was “of the sons of Ithamar.” The descent from Eli to this Ahimelech is as follows: Eli—Phinehas—Ahitub (1 Sam. 14:3)—Ahimelech—Abiathar (1Sa 22:20)—Ahimelech (2 Sam. 8:17; 1 Chr 24:6). (Borrow ESV Study Bible) To go up to My altar, to burn incense, to carry an ephod before Me - This describes the function of the high priest, Aaron being the progenitor of the priestly line. And did I not give to the house of your father all the fire offerings of the sons of Israel? - Again the man of God asks a question which functions as a rhetorical reminder of God's gracious gift of fire offerings which played such a vital role in the approach to and worship of the Holy God by unholy people. Specifically in context the gift of the fire offerings would refer to the meat God had provided for sustenance of the priests (Lev 2:3, 10, Lev 7:31-36). Well-fed ("heavy") Eli would have been nodding affirmatively or answering the man of God, "Yes that is true." QUESTION - What is the difference between priests and Levites? ANSWER - The Levites were the tribe of Israelites descended from Levi, one of the twelve sons of Jacob. The priests of Israel were a group of qualified men from within the tribe of the Levites who had responsibility over aspects of tabernacle or temple worship. All priests were to be Levites, according to the Law, but not all Levites were priests. Priests existed prior to the Levites in a general sense. For example, we first see the role of a priest in Genesis 14:18 during Abraham’s time, long before Levi was born. Melchizedek was the king of the town of Salem, which later became Jerusalem. Melchizedek was also said to be “a priest forever” (Psalm 110:4; cf. Hebrews 6:20; 7:17). Pagan nations also had priests for their religious activities. Jethro, the father-in-law of Moses, was the priest of Midian (Exodus 3:1;18:1). When the Jews received the Law of Moses at Sinai, the Lord gave commands regarding a formal priesthood for Israel. The priests would be males from the tribe of Levi and must meet certain physical and age qualifications in order to serve. In addition, they had to remain ceremonially clean to perform their duties before a holy God. The priests served as mediators between the Israelites and God. They were the ones who performed animal sacrifices on behalf of the people. It was only the priests who were permitted to enter the Holy Place in the tabernacle and, later, the temple. A more detailed description of the Levitical priesthood can be found in our article “What was the Levitical priesthood?” Among these Levitical priests was the high priest. The first high priest was Aaron, the brother of Moses. His sons and their descendants were to serve as the future high priests of the nation of Israel (Exodus 29). Only the high priest was permitted to enter the Most Holy Place in the tabernacle and temple, and that only once per year on the Day of Atonement. A more detailed description of the work of the high priest can be found in our article “What was the biblical role of the high priest?” Ezra, one of the leaders of the Jews who returned from Babylon, was a Levitical priest (Nehemiah 12:1). Zechariah and Elizabeth, John the Baptist’s parents, were both Levites descended from Aaron (see Luke 1:5). Zechariah was a priest, but his son, John, also a Levite, was a prophet, not a priest. By the time of Jesus’ earthly ministry, the Jewish priesthood held much spiritual and political power. In fact, the Jewish chief priests were involved in sentencing Jesus to death. Following the resurrection of Jesus, believers now live under a new covenant in which all Christians are priests: “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light” (1 Peter 2:9). We no longer need an earthly mediator between us and God because Jesus has made the final sacrifice on our behalf and acts as our Mediator (Hebrews 10:19–23; 1 Timothy 2:5). The Jewish role of high priest is now fulfilled by Jesus, who serves as our high priest. Jesus’ sacrifice ended our need for continued sacrifices. The Holy Spirit guides and counsels us. The Levitical priesthood was part of the old covenant system of sacrifices. It has been fulfilled in Jesus, and we are now under the new covenant. There is no longer a biblical mandate for priests. Every follower of Christ has access to God, regardless of gender, race, or tribe (Hebrews 7:11–28; Ephesians 3:11–12; Colossians 3:11).GotQuestions.org Related Resource: What was the Levitical priesthood? | GotQuestions.org QUESTION - What was the biblical role of the high priest? ANSWER - The high priest was the supreme religious leader of the Israelites. The office of the high priest was hereditary and was traced from Aaron, the brother of Moses, of the Levite tribe (Exodus 28:1; Numbers 18:7). The high priest had to be “whole” physically (without any physical defects) and holy in his conduct (Leviticus 21:6-8). Because the high priest held the leadership position, one of his roles was overseeing the responsibilities of all the subordinate priests (2 Chronicles 19:11). Though the high priest could participate in ordinary priestly ministries, only certain functions were given to him. Only the high priest could wear the Urim and the Thummin (engraved dice-like stones used to determine truth or falsity). For this reason, the Hebrew people would go to the high priest in order to know the will of God (Numbers 27:21). An example of this is when Joshua was commissioned by Eleazar, the high priest, to assume some of Moses’ responsibilities (Numbers 27:21). In the New Testament, we find a reference to the high priest having the gift of prophecy (John 11:49-52). The high priest had to offer a sin offering not only for the sins of the whole congregation, but also for himself (Leviticus 4:3-21). When a high priest died, all those confined to the cities of refuge for accidently causing the death of another person were granted freedom (Numbers 35:28). The most important duty of the high priest was to conduct the service on the Day of Atonement, the tenth day of the seventh month of every year. Only he was allowed to enter the Most Holy Place behind the veil to stand before God. Having made a sacrifice for himself and for the people, he then brought the blood into the Holy of Holies and sprinkled it on the mercy seat, God’s “throne” (Leviticus 16:14-15). He did this to make atonement for himself and the people for all their sins committed during the year just ended (Exodus 30:10). It is this particular service that is compared to the ministry of Jesus as our High Priest (Hebrews 9:1-28). In understanding the role of the high priest, we can better comprehend the significance of Christ offering Himself for our sins once for all (Hebrews 9:26; 10:10, 12). Through Christ’s sacrifice for us, we are sanctified and set apart for Him. By entering God’s presence on our behalf, Christ has secured for us an “eternal redemption” (Hebrews 9:12). As Paul has written, “For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus” (1 Timothy 2:5). GotQuestions.org 1 Samuel 2:29 'Why do you kick at My sacrifice and at My offering which I have commanded in My dwelling, and honor your sons above Me, by making yourselves fat with the choicest of every offering of My people Israel?' BGT 1 Samuel 2:29 καὶ ἵνα τί ἐπέβλεψας ἐπὶ τὸ θυμίαμά μου καὶ εἰς τὴν θυσίαν μου ἀναιδεῖ ὀφθαλμῷ καὶ ἐδόξασας τοὺς υἱούς σου ὑπὲρ ἐμὲ ἐνευλογεῖσθαι ἀπαρχῆς πάσης θυσίας Ισραηλ ἔμπροσθέν μου KJV 1 Samuel 2:29 Wherefore kick ye at my sacrifice and at mine offering, which I have commanded in my habitation; and honourest thy sons above me, to make yourselves fat with the chiefest of all the offerings of Israel my people? NET 1 Samuel 2:29 Why are you scorning my sacrifice and my offering that I commanded for my dwelling place? You have honored your sons more than you have me by having made yourselves fat from the best parts of all the offerings of my people Israel.' CSB 1 Samuel 2:29 Why, then, do all of you despise My sacrifices and offerings that I require at the place of worship? You have honored your sons more than Me, by making yourselves fat with the best part of all of the offerings of My people Israel.' ESV 1 Samuel 2:29 Why then do you scorn my sacrifices and my offerings that I commanded for my dwelling, and honor your sons above me by fattening yourselves on the choicest parts of every offering of my people Israel?' NIV 1 Samuel 2:29 Why do you scorn my sacrifice and offering that I prescribed for my dwelling? Why do you honor your sons more than me by fattening yourselves on the choice parts of every offering made by my people Israel?' NLT 1 Samuel 2:29 So why do you scorn my sacrifices and offerings? Why do you give your sons more honor than you give me-- for you and they have become fat from the best offerings of my people Israel! NRS 1 Samuel 2:29 Why then look with greedy eye at my sacrifices and my offerings that I commanded, and honor your sons more than me by fattening yourselves on the choicest parts of every offering of my people Israel?' RSV 1 Samuel 2:29 Why then look with greedy eye at my sacrifices and my offerings which I commanded, and honor your sons above me by fattening yourselves upon the choicest parts of every offering of my people Israel?' YLT 1 Samuel 2:29 Why do ye kick at My sacrifice, and at Mine offering which I commanded in My habitation, and dost honour thy sons above Me, to make yourselves fat from the first part of every offering of Israel, of My people? NKJ 1 Samuel 2:29 `Why do you kick at My sacrifice and My offering which I have commanded in My dwelling place, and honor your sons more than Me, to make yourselves fat with the best of all the offerings of Israel My people?' NJB 1 Samuel 2:29 Why do you trample on the offering and on the sacrifice which I have ordered for my Dwelling, and honour your sons more than me, by growing fat on the best of the offerings of Israel, my people? kick: 1Sa 2:13-17 De 32:15 Mal 1:12-13 at my sacrifice: They disdained to take the part allowed by the law; and would take for themselves what part they pleased, and as much as they pleased. 1Sa 2:13-16 dwelling: De 12:5,6 Jos 18:1 honor: Lev 19:15 De 33:9 Mt 10:37 22:16 Lu 14:26 2Co 5:16 Jas 3:17 making: 1Sa 2:13-16 Isa 56:11,12 Eze 13:19 34:2 Ho 4:8 Mic 3:5 Ro 16:18 1 Samuel 2 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Related Passages: Deuteronomy 32:15+ “But Jeshurun ("upright one") grew fat and kicked– You are grown fat, thick, and sleek– Then he forsook God who made him, And scorned the Rock of his salvation. Malachi 1:12-13+ “But you are profaning it, in that you say, ‘The table of the Lord is defiled, and as for its fruit, its food is to be despised.’ 13 “You also say, ‘My, how tiresome it is!’ And you disdainfully sniff at it,” says the LORD of hosts, “and you bring what was taken by robbery and what is lame or sick; so you bring the offering! Should I receive that from your hand?” says the LORD. YAHWEH REBUKES ELI FOR PRIORITIZING APPETITES OVER ADORATION 'Why do you kick at My sacrifice (zebah) and at My offering (minchah) which I have commanded in My dwelling (CSB = "place of worship")- The picture of kick recalls the description of Jeshurun (Israel) who "grew fat and kicked" which refers to Israel's rebellious disposition and her unholy actions toward the Holy One of Israel (Dt 32:15+). To kick at God's sacrifice and offering is clearly a picture indicating the one kicking (he says "you" which would directly refer to Eli, but clearly by implication to his two worthless sons) was demonstrating disdain or scorn for God's provision. Specifically it refers to the irreverent, disrespectful attitude that led to the profane, unholy actions (greed, immorality) committed by Hophni and Phinehas! And honor (kabad) your sons above Me, by making yourselves fat with the choicest of every offering of My people Israel? - How did Eli honor his sons above Yahweh? By permitting his sons to deal profanely with the sacrifices, and to be served first, by taking their part before the fat, etc. Eli thus honored his sons above God. Eli as chief priest should have honored God above all men, even his sons, and had it done so, they would have been punished for their evil deeds (even put to death). The Septuagint uses doxazo to translate honor (kabad) which means to give high status, to magnify, to praise, to give great honor, to glorify! Secondly, Eli was a benefactor of his sons "skimming off the top" and stealing from Yahweh. He would reap what he had sown for in his gross obesity he would tumble off the seat and die, 1Sa 4:18+ explain that he fell backward and his neck was broken "because he he was old and heavy (kabad - literal use of word used here for "honor"!) !" Why was he heavy? He had been eating what should have gone to the LORD and it would soon be "payday!" Honor (glorify) (03513) kabad is a verb which means to weigh heavily, to be heavy (weighty, burdensome), to be honored, to be wealthy, to get honor, to make dull, to make hard, to multiply or make numerous. There are 2 literal uses of kabad describing Eli as heavy (1Sa 4:18) and Absalom's hair as heavy (2Sa 14:26). Most of the uses of kabad are figurative and most of these figurative uses in turn convey the sense of honor or glory (e.g., a “weighty” person in society is one who is honored or worthy of respect ["respected" = Ge 24:19].) Honor (Webster) - To revere; to show or regard with respect or esteem; to treat with deference and submission, To reverence; to manifest the highest veneration for, in words and actions; to entertain the most exalted thoughts of; to worship; to adore. to raise to distinction or notice; to elevate in rank or station; to exalt. The godly man "honors (Lxx = doxazo) those who fear the LORD." (Ps 15:4) God honors (Lxx = doxazo) those who call on Him in the day of trouble (Ps 50:15, Ps 91:15). The one who "offers a sacrifice of thanksgiving honors (Lxx = doxazo)" God (Ps 50:23) In Ps 86:9, 12 kabad means to "glorify (Lxx = doxazo) Your (God's) Name." Failure To Discipline No chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness. —Hebrews 12:11 Today's Scripture: 1 Samuel 2:27-36 We live in the woods, so we get very little prolonged sunlight in the summer. But we love fresh tomatoes, so I decided to try growing them in pots set in a few sunny spots. The plants started to grow right away and really fast. I was thrilled—until I realized that their fast growth was due to their efforts to reach out to the limited sunlight. By the time I figured out what was happening, the vines were too heavy to support themselves. I found some stakes, lifted the vines carefully, and fastened them in an upright position. Even though I tried to be gentle, one of the twisted vines broke when I tried to straighten it. This reminded me that discipline must begin before character is permanently bent and twisted. Eli the priest had two sons whom he failed to discipline. When their wickedness got so bad that he could no longer ignore it, he tried gentle rebuke (1 Sam. 2:24-25). But it was too late, and God announced the dire consequences: “I will judge [Eli’s] house forever for the iniquity which he knows, because his sons made themselves vile, and he did not restrain them” (1Sa 3:13). Lord, even though it’s painful, we’re thankful that You, in love, discipline us as Your children. Help us to respond with repentance and obedience to Your ways. Amen. God’s love confronts and corrects. Correct Them Why do you . . . honor your sons more than Me, to make yourselves fat with the best of all the offerings of Israel My people? —1 Samuel 2:29 Today's Scripture: 1 Samuel 2:12,27-36 Therapist and mother Lori Gottlieb says that parents who are obsessed with their children’s happiness may actually contribute to their becoming unhappy adults. These parents coddle their children, do not equip them to deal with the real world, look the other way when their children do wrong, and neglect disciplining them. In 1 Samuel, we read that the high priest Eli sometimes looked the other way. We don’t know what he was like as a father when his boys were young. But he failed to properly deal with their behavior as grown men serving in God’s temple. They were selfish, lustful, and rebellious, putting their own needs ahead of God’s Word and the needs of the people. At first, Eli rebuked them but they would not listen. Instead of removing them from service, he looked the other way and let them continue in their sin. As a result of his sons’ sins and because Eli honored his sons above the Lord (1 Sam. 2:29), the Lord warned Eli that his family would suffer judgment (v.34; 4:17-18). They are buds of hope and promise, Possessed by Him whose name is Love; Lent us here to train and nourish For a better life above. —Crosby Failure to discipline our children is a failure to love them. 1 Samuel 2:30 "Therefore the LORD God of Israel declares, 'I did indeed say that your house and the house of your father should 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 lightly esteemed. BGT 1 Samuel 2:30 διὰ τοῦτο τάδε εἶπεν κύριος ὁ θεὸς Ισραηλ εἶπα ὁ οἶκός σου καὶ ὁ οἶκος τοῦ πατρός σου διελεύσεται ἐνώπιόν μου ἕως αἰῶνος καὶ νῦν φησιν κύριος μηδαμῶς ἐμοί ὅτι ἀλλ᾽ ἢ τοὺς δοξάζοντάς με δοξάσω καὶ ὁ ἐξουθενῶν με ἀτιμωθήσεται KJV 1 Samuel 2:30 Wherefore the LORD God of Israel saith, I said indeed that thy house, and the house of thy father, should walk before me for ever: but now the LORD saith, Be it far from me; for them that honour me I will honour, and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed. NET 1 Samuel 2:30 Therefore the LORD, the God of Israel, says, 'I really did say that your house and your ancestor's house would serve me forever.' But now the LORD says, 'May it never be! For I will honor those who honor me, but those who despise me will be cursed! CSB 1 Samuel 2:30 "Therefore, this is the declaration of the LORD, the God of Israel: 'Although I said your family and your ancestral house would walk before Me forever, the LORD now says, "No longer!" I will honor those who honor Me, but those who despise Me will be disgraced. ESV 1 Samuel 2:30 Therefore the LORD, the God of Israel, declares: 'I promised that your house and the house of your father should go in and out 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 shall be lightly esteemed. NIV 1 Samuel 2:30 "Therefore the LORD, the God of Israel, declares: 'I promised that your house and your father's house would minister before me forever.' But now the LORD declares: 'Far be it from me! Those who honor me I will honor, but those who despise me will be disdained. NLT 1 Samuel 2:30 "Therefore, the LORD, the God of Israel, says: I promised that your branch of the tribe of Levi would always be my priests. But I will honor those who honor me, and I will despise those who think lightly of me. NRS 1 Samuel 2:30 Therefore the LORD the God of Israel declares: 'I promised that your family and the family of your ancestor should go in and out 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 shall be treated with contempt. RSV 1 Samuel 2:30 Therefore the LORD the God of Israel declares: `I promised that your house and the house of your father should go in and out before me for ever'; but now the LORD declares: `Far be it from me; for those who honor me I will honor, and those who despise me shall be lightly esteemed. YLT 1 Samuel 2:30 'Therefore -- the affirmation of Jehovah, God of Israel -- I certainly said, Thy house and the house of thy father, do walk up and down before Me to the age; and now -- the affirmation of Jehovah -- Far be it from Me! for he who is honouring Me, I honour, and those despising Me, are lightly esteemed. NKJ 1 Samuel 2:30 "Therefore the LORD God of Israel says:`I said indeed that your house and the house of your father would walk before Me forever.' But now the LORD says:`Far be it from Me; for those who honor Me I will honor, and those who despise Me shall be lightly esteemed. NJB 1 Samuel 2:30 Whereas -- this is what Yahweh, God of Israel, declares -- I had promised that your family and your father's family would walk in my presence for ever, now, however -- this is what Yahweh declares -- nothing of the sort! Those who honour me I honour in my turn, and those who despise me will be an object of contempt. I did indeed say: Ex 28:43 Ex 29:9 Nu 25:11-13 Be it far: Nu 35:34 *marg 2Ch 15:2 Jer 18:9,10 them: Jdg 9:10 Ps 50:23 Pr 3:9,10 Isa 29:13 Da 4:34 Mal 1:6 Joh 5:23 8:49 13:31,32 17:4,5 I will honor: Ps 18:20 Ps 91:14 Joh 5:44 12:26 1Co 4:5 1Pe 1:7 despise: Nu 11:20 2Sa 12:9,10 Mal 2:8,9 1 Samuel 2 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Related Passages: Exodus 29:9 “You shall gird them with sashes, Aaron and his sons, and bind caps on them, and they shall have the priesthood by a perpetual statute. So you shall ordain Aaron and his sons. Numbers 25:11-13+ (GOD'S PROMISE OF PRIESTHOOD RENEWED TO HOUSE OF ELEAZAR) “Phinehas the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, has turned away My wrath from the sons of Israel in that he was jealous with My jealousy among them, so that I did not destroy the sons of Israel in My jealousy. 12 “Therefore say, ‘Behold, I give him My covenant of peace; 13 and it shall be for him and his descendants after him, a covenant of a perpetual priesthood, because he was jealous for his God and made atonement for the sons of Israel.’” YAHWEH'S CONCLUSION Therefore the LORD God of Israel declares, 'I did indeed say that your house and the house of your father should walk before Me forever' - Yahweh had given a promise, but it was not an unconditional promise in the case of Eli's house (see Guzik's note below). Flagrant disobedience and dishonoring of God negated the promise in the case of Eli's house. Priests were to be holy in order to walk before Yahweh. There were consequences to their high-handed sins! There always are. No one sins in a vacuum. No one sins willfully against God and escapes unscathed! See the diagram above showing the descendants of Levi. You will notice of the 4 sons of Aaron, two were killed (Nadab and Abihu -- which should have been a frightening reminder to Hophni and Phinehas, but of course proved not to be the case), and two sons lived, Eleazar and Ithamar. Eli was a descendant of Ithamar. Phinehas (see Nu 25:11-13 above) was a descendant of Eleazar. The promise of the perpetual priesthood would be removed from Ithamar's line (Eli's line) and given to Eleazar's line. As discussed below Zadok was from the line of Eleazar and would carry on the priesthood in the reign of Solomon and perpetually into the future Millennial Kingdom (cf Ezek 40:46, 43:19, 44:15, 48:11). Bergen - The sins of Eli and his sons represented a breach of contract with the Lord. Thus, the Lord was no longer bound by the terms of the agreement. God expressed the conditional nature of his dealings with humanity with the epigram, “Those who honor me I will honor, but those who despise me will be disdained” (v. 30). (Borrow 1 & 2 Samuel - New American Commentary) David Guzik on your father should walk before Me forever points out that "This is a promise to Aaron in passages like Exodus 29:9. God did not remove the priesthood from the line of Aaron, but He did remove it from the line of Eli. But now - This introduces a dramatic turn around in the future for Eli's family. The LORD declares, 'Far be it from Me--for those who honor (kabad) Me I will honor (kabad) - This is a gracious promise from God and must have caused Eli to wince because he had honored (kabad) his sons above Yahweh and thus disqualified himself for honor. and those who despise (bazah) Me will be lightly esteemed (qalal) - NLT = "I will despise those who think lightly of me." NET = "hose who despise me will be cursed" Lightly esteemed means they will become insignificant! The Septuagint has the verb atimoo which means they would be treated with disrespect, dishonored, treated shamefully! Eli was an "accomplice" so to speak in the sins of his sons and his being "lightly esteemed" was reflected by loss of the priesthood from his line. Henry