1 Samuel 2.11-36 | I will raise up a faithful priest

Summary

The story of Eli’s sons comes as a contrast to the faithfulness of Hannah (and her son Samuel). As the high priest, Eli appointed his sons, Hophni and Phineas, as priests. They inherited their positions and thus got the job even through they didn’t meet the qualifications. Instead of upholding their duties as mediators between God and the people of Israel, they become a hindrance to holiness. They not only openly sin, but they invite others to belittle God and the process of purity that He set up. I imagine they thought that they would never have to pay for it; already, everyone knew, including Eli, and yet nothing was done. God is not mocked; He makes it clear to Eli that they are rejected and will not live into old age. Placed into this story is a reminder that while God brings down the house of Eli, He is not going to leave Israel leaderless. Even as his structured plan of the priestly office was being ridiculed, God works in spite of them. God actually uses a prophet and an adopted priest to overwhelm the very system He set up.