13 For I have told him that I will judge his house forever, for the iniquity which he knew, because his sons did bring a curse on themselves, and he didn't restrain them.
Now the sons of Eli were base men; they didn't know Yahweh.
The sin of the young men was very great before Yahweh; for the men despised the offering of Yahweh.
Now Eli was very old; and he heard all that his sons did to all Israel, and how that they lay with the women who served at the door of the tent of meeting. He said to them, Why do you such things? for I hear of your evil dealings from all this people. No, my sons; for it is no good report that I hear: you make Yahweh's people to disobey. If one man sin against another, God shall judge him; but if a man sin against Yahweh, who shall entreat for him? Notwithstanding, they didn't listen to the voice of their father, because Yahweh was minded to kill them. The child Samuel grew on, and increased in favor both with Yahweh, and also with men. There came a man of God to Eli, and said to him, Thus says Yahweh, Did I reveal myself to the house of your father, when they were in Egypt [in bondage] to Pharaoh's house? and 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? and did I give to the house of your father all the offerings of the children of Israel made by fire? Why kick you at my sacrifice and at my offering, which I have commanded in [my] habitation, and honor your sons above me, to make yourselves fat with the best of all the offerings of Israel my people? Therefore Yahweh, the God of Israel, says, I said indeed that your house, and the house of your father, should walk before me forever: but now Yahweh says, Be it far from me; for those who honor me I will honor, and those who despise me shall be lightly esteemed. Behold, the days come, that I will cut off your arm, and the arm of your father's house, that there shall not be an old man in your house. You shall see the affliction of [my] habitation, in all the wealth which [God] shall give Israel; and there shall not be an old man in your house forever. The man of yours, [whom] I shall not cut off from my altar, [shall be] to consume your eyes, and to grieve your heart; and all the increase of your house shall die in the flower of their age. This shall be the sign to you, that shall come on your two sons, on Hophni and Phinehas: in one day they shall die both of them. I will raise me up a faithful priest, that shall do according to that which is in my heart and in my mind: and I will build him a sure house; and he shall walk before my anointed forever. It shall happen, that everyone who is left in your house shall come and bow down to him for a piece of silver and a loaf of bread, and shall say, Please put me into one of the priests' offices, that I may eat a morsel of bread.
His father had not displeased him at any time in saying, Why have you done so? and he was also a very goodly man; and he was born after Absalom.
Discipline your son, for there is hope; Don't be a willing party to his death.
The rod of correction gives wisdom, But a child left to himself causes shame to his mother.
He who loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and he who loves son or daughter more than me isn't worthy of me.
Our God, will you not judge them? for we have no might against this great company that comes against us; neither know we what to do: but out eyes are on you.
for often your own heart knows that you yourself have likewise cursed others.
Therefore I will judge you, house of Israel, everyone according to his ways, says the Lord Yahweh. Return you, and turn yourselves from all your transgressions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin.
"Let the nations arouse themselves, And come up to the valley of Jehoshaphat; For there will I sit to judge all the surrounding nations.
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Matthew Henry Commentary » Commentary on 1 Samuel 3
Commentary on 1 Samuel 3 Matthew Henry Commentary
Chapter 3
In the foregoing chapter we had Samuel a young priest, though by birth a Levite only, for he ministered before the Lord in a linen ephod; in this chapter we have him a young prophet, which was more, God in an extraordinary manner revealing himself to him, and in him reviving, if not commencing, prophecy in Israel. Here is,
1Sa 3:1-10
To make way for the account of God's revealing himself first to Samuel, we are here told,
The manner of God's revealing himself to Samuel is here related very particularly, for it was uncommon.
1Sa 3:11-18
Here is,
1Sa 3:19-21
Samuel being thus brought acquainted with the visions of God, we have here an account of the further honour done him as a prophet.