Now the sons of EliThe sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were priests serving at the tabernacle in Shiloh. Eli was the high priest and judge of Israel, and his sons were expected to follow in his footsteps. This context highlights the gravity of their actions, as they were in positions of spiritual leadership. Their behavior would have had significant implications for the religious life of Israel, as they were responsible for mediating between God and the people.
were wicked men;
The term "wicked" indicates a moral and spiritual corruption. In the Hebrew text, the phrase used is "sons of Belial," which implies worthlessness and lawlessness. This description sets the stage for understanding their actions as not just personal failings but as a direct affront to the covenantal relationship between God and Israel. Their wickedness is later detailed in the narrative, showing their abuse of priestly privileges and their exploitation of the sacrificial system.
they had no regard for the LORD
This phrase underscores their spiritual blindness and rebellion. The lack of regard for the LORD suggests a deliberate disregard for God's commandments and the sacred duties of their office. This is a serious indictment, as it implies a rejection of God's authority and a failure to honor the covenant. Their actions are contrasted with the faithful service expected of priests, as outlined in Leviticus and Deuteronomy. This disregard is a precursor to the judgment that will come upon Eli's house, as prophesied later in the chapter.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
EliThe high priest of Shiloh and judge of Israel. He was responsible for the spiritual leadership of the nation and the training of his sons, Hophni and Phinehas.
2.
Hophni and PhinehasThe sons of Eli, who served as priests but were described as "wicked men" in this verse. Their actions were contrary to the duties and responsibilities of their priestly office.
3.
ShilohThe religious center of Israel at the time, where the tabernacle was located and where Eli and his sons served.
4.
The LORDThe covenant God of Israel, whom Eli's sons failed to honor and respect in their priestly duties.
5.
The TabernacleThe dwelling place of God among His people, where sacrifices and worship were conducted, and where Eli's sons committed their transgressions.
Teaching Points
The Importance of Reverence for GodEli's sons lacked reverence for the LORD, which serves as a warning to us about the importance of honoring God in all aspects of life.
The Consequences of Spiritual NeglectThe wickedness of Eli's sons led to severe consequences for them and their family. This teaches us that neglecting our spiritual responsibilities can have far-reaching effects.
Leadership and AccountabilityAs leaders, whether in the church or in our homes, we are accountable for guiding others in the ways of the Lord. Eli's failure to correct his sons serves as a cautionary tale.
The Call to HolinessAs believers, we are called to be set apart and live lives that reflect God's holiness. This requires daily commitment and reliance on the Holy Spirit.
The Role of the PriesthoodIn the New Covenant, all believers are part of the royal priesthood, tasked with representing God to the world and interceding on behalf of others.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of 1 Samuel 2:12?
2.How does 1 Samuel 2:12 describe the sons of Eli's character?
3.What lessons can we learn from Eli's sons' disregard for the Lord?
4.How does 1 Samuel 2:12 connect with honoring God in our lives?
5.What actions can we take to avoid being "worthless men" like Eli's sons?
6.How can church leaders ensure they do not repeat Eli's parenting mistakes?
7.Why were Eli's sons described as "wicked men" in 1 Samuel 2:12?
8.How does 1 Samuel 2:12 reflect on the failure of religious leadership?
9.What does 1 Samuel 2:12 reveal about the consequences of ignoring God's commands?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from 1 Samuel 2?
11.1 Samuel 2:12–17 describes corrupt priests at Shiloh—do archaeological records confirm such a worship center and priesthood as depicted?
12.What are the key events in 1 Samuel?
13.Do preachers' kids face more challenges than others?
14.1 Samuel 3:13 – Why would God hold Eli accountable for his sons’ misconduct rather than act directly to prevent their corruption?What Does 1 Samuel 2:12 Mean
NowThe verse opens with “Now,” serving as a bridge from the previous scene where young Samuel was ministering before the LORD (1 Samuel 2:11). While the nation’s hope was quietly growing in a boy dedicated to God, the narrative shifts to a sobering contrast. This transition highlights how, in every generation, God sets before His people a choice between faithfulness and rebellion (Joshua 24:15;Romans 6:16).
the sons of Eli•Hophni and Phinehas, introduced earlier as priests of the LORD (1 Samuel 1:3), carried great privilege and responsibility.
•Their lineage traced back to Aaron, underscoring the seriousness of their conduct (Exodus 28:1).
•Despite their heritage, they stand as a living reminder that spiritual pedigree cannot replace personal obedience (Ezekiel 18:20;John 1:12-13).
were wicked men•The renders it plainly—“wicked.” Scripture elsewhere labels such people “worthless fellows” or “sons of Belial” (Deuteronomy 13:13;Judges 19:22), pointing to lives bent away from God.
•Wickedness here is not a mild flaw but open defiance: they stole from the offerings (1 Samuel 2:13-16) and seduced women at the tent of meeting (1 Samuel 2:22).
•God’s standard for priests was holiness (Leviticus 10:3; 21:6). When leaders abandon that standard, the entire community suffers (Hosea 4:9).
they had no regard for the LORD•The phrase reveals the heart issue: disregard for God Himself, not merely for ritual. They treated His sacrifices with contempt, showing that irreverence toward offerings equals irreverence toward the Offerer (Malachi 1:6-8;Hebrews 10:29).
•Their contempt contrasts starkly with Samuel, who “continued to grow in stature and in favor with the LORD” (1 Samuel 2:26). God loves to raise humble servants even while judging the proud (James 4:6;1 Peter 5:5).
•“Regard for the LORD” is the cornerstone of wisdom (Proverbs 1:7). Where that regard is absent, darkness follows (John 3:19-20).
summary1 Samuel 2:12 paints a candid portrait of priestly sons who, despite sacred privilege, chose rebellion. Their wicked actions sprang from hearts that dismissed God’s authority. The verse warns that lineage and position cannot shield anyone from accountability; only genuine reverence and obedience matter. In sharp relief against their darkness, God’s light is already shining through young Samuel, proving that the LORD remains faithful to honor those who honor Him (1 Samuel 2:30).
(12)
Sons of.--The word Belial is printed here and
1Samuel 1:16, as though Belial were the name of some pagan deity, but it simply signifies "worthlessness." It is a common term in these records of Samuel, being used some nine or ten times. It is rarely found in the other historical books. "Sons of Belial" signifies, then, merely "sons of worthlessness," worthless, good-for-nothing men. The
Speaker's Commentaryingeniously accounts for the use of Belial in the English Version here, and in other places in the Old Testament, by referring to the contrast drawn by St. Paul between Christ and Belial, as if Belial were the name of an idol. or the personification of evil (
2Corinthians 6:15).
They knew not the Lord.--The whole conduct of these high priestly officials showed they were utter unbelievers. They used their sacred position merely as affording an opportunity for their selfish extortions; and, as is so often the case now, as it was then, their unbelief was the source of their moral worthlessness (see1Samuel 2:22). "Hophni and Phinehas (the two sons of Eli) are, for students of ecclesiastical history, eminently suggestive characters. They are true exemplars of the grasping and worldly clergy of all ages.
"It was the sacrificial feasts that gave occasion for their rapacity. It was the dances and assemblies of the women in the vineyards and before the sacred feast that gave occasion for their debaucheries. They were the worst development of the lawlessness of the age, penetrating, as in the case of the wandering Levite of the Book of Judges, into the most sacred offices.
"But the coarseness of these vices does not make the moral less pointed for all times. The three-pronged fork which fishes up the seething flesh is the earliest type of grasping at pluralities and Church preferments by base means, the open profligacy at the door of the Tabernacle is the type of many a scandal brought on the Christian Church by the selfishness or sensuality of the ministers."--Dean Stanley,On the Jewish ChurchyLecture 17, Part I.
Verse 12. -
Now the sons of Eli were sons of Belial,i.e. worthless men (see on 1 Samuel 1:16).
They knew not Jehovah. He had never been revealed to their consciences, and so his fear had no influence upon their lives. The next words, in ver. 13, are difficult, but lit. mean, "The legal right of the priests, towards, or as respects, the people." On this account the Vulgate and several commentators couple the sentence with what precedes: "they knew neither Jehovah, nor their own legal rights." But the word
also in ver. 15 is incompatible with this rendering; for if what is mentioned there be illegal, so must also the practice be which is recorded here. But neither does
custom give the sense; for the Hebrews has not priest's (sing.) as the A.V., but
of the priests, of all priests generally, and not of Eli merely and his sons. The right translation is that given by the Sept., Syriac, and Chaldee, namely, "the due of the priests from the people," on which see
Leviticus 7:31-35. In the original this is put absolutely "And as to the priests' due from the people, when," etc., but our language requires some insertion to make it read more smoothly. "And as to the due of the priests from the people, the manner of its exaction was as follows: When," etc. But besides the due and legal portion, which, nevertheless, they took in an illegal way, they demanded a part of the flesh reserved for the feast of the offerer, and to which they had absolutely no right (see
Leviticus 8:31;
2 Chronicles 35:13). The legal due of the priest was the right shoulder and the wave breast; but before he took them they were to be consecrated to God by the burning of the fat upon the altar (
Leviticus 3:5;
Leviticus 7:31, 34). It is worth observing that the people seem well acquainted with the words of the Law, and are indignant because the priests, its proper guardians, do not abide literally by them. This contempt of the Law distressed their religious susceptibilites, while the cupidity of Eli's sons offended their moral nature. And so
men abhorred the offering of Jehovah. Lit. it is the
minchah, the unbloody sacrifice, or meat offering, but it is put here forevery kind of sacrificial offering.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
Now the sonsוּבְנֵ֥י(ū·ḇə·nê)Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1121:A sonof Eliעֵלִ֖י(‘ê·lî)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 5941:Eli -- a priest at Shilohwere wickedבְלִיָּ֑עַל(ḇə·lî·yā·‘al)Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1100:Without profit, worthlessness, destruction, wickednessmen;בְּנֵ֣י(bə·nê)Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1121:A sonthey had noלֹ֥א(lō)Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808:Not, noregardיָדְע֖וּ(yā·ḏə·‘ū)Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 3045:To knowfor the LORDיְהוָֽה׃(Yah·weh)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068:LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel
Links
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OT History: 1 Samuel 2:12 Now the sons of Eli were base (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa) 
