1 Samuel 2: 22-26 - The need to act appropriately

Eli was a very old man at this point. And he had become inept as he grew older. He was first introduced to us in chapter 1. There he confronted the barren Hannah as she poured her heart before the Lord. Failing to discern the praying woman’s distress, he mistook her for a drunkard woman. At that point, he was already quite out of touch. His ineptness became more obvious as he grew older. This tells us how needful it is to keep our spiritual connectivity with God so that we will not lose our spiritual sensitivity. As we progress in our walk with God, we must seek to become spiritually sharper and not otherwise. But sadly, this was Eli.

Two dangers any leader must guard against. Firstly, to guard against abusing one’s position, and secondly to engage in sexual immorality. These were exactly what Eli’s sons were doing. They had the audacity to engage in sexual intimacy with women serving at the sanctuary. Hophni and Phinehas were inappropriately committing sexual sin outside the door of the tent of meeting with them. They were treating God with contempt. It is one thing to sin against fellowmen but quite another to sin against the Lord. And Eli knew it. For he heard about his son’s escapade. Wisdom dictates that he should have dealt more severely with them, but he didn’t. He merely spoke to his sons. Such misconduct would be detrimental to the progress of God’s plan and ought to be dealt with seriously. But Eli dealt with it casually.

Hophni and Phinehas had come to a point that they were way past the ability to take good counsel. Verse 25 said that they did not heed the counsel of their father. Even in so grievous a misconduct, God was gracious to give them opportunities to change. But they chose to spurn the graciousness of God by not heeding the father’s counsel. Had they listened to the father’s counsel and repented, perhaps, they could still avert what God would eventually have to do to them. Verse 26 is a refreshing revelation. In contrast to the incorrigible sons of Eli, Samuel was growing spiritually and physically. He was finding favor with God and with men. Here God was stationing a vessel to ensure that His plan for His people to progress would not be sabotaged. What a gracious God!

This passage leaves us fathers with a solemn exhortation. We must stay watchful over our children and be sure they are not left to their own devices. Even as we watch over them, we must at the same time, also stay connected to God so that we will not become spiritually dull. We must never become out of touch with God and what our children are doing. When we are aware of their flaws, appropriate measures must be carried out to remove atrocities in their lives so that they need not end up bitterly.