Thus the sin of these young men was severe in the sight of the LORDThe "young men" refers to the sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, who were priests serving at the tabernacle in Shiloh. Their actions were not only a personal failing but a violation of their sacred duties. In the context of the Old Testament, priests were mediators between God and the people, and their conduct was expected to be exemplary. The severity of their sin is underscored by the phrase "in the sight of the LORD," indicating that their actions were not hidden from God and were judged by His holy standards. This phrase echoes the biblical principle that God sees and judges the heart (
1 Samuel 16:7). The gravity of their sin is further highlighted by the fact that it was committed in a religious setting, where reverence and obedience were paramount.
for they were treating the LORD’s offering with contempt
The offerings referred to here are the sacrifices brought by the Israelites to the tabernacle, which were meant to honor God and atone for sin. Hophni and Phinehas were taking portions of the sacrifices that were not rightfully theirs, as described earlier in1 Samuel 2:12-16. This act of contempt was not merely a breach of ritual but a direct affront to God, who had established these offerings as a means of worship and reconciliation. Their actions showed a blatant disregard for the sacredness of the offerings and, by extension, for God Himself. This contempt is reminiscent of Cain's unacceptable offering inGenesis 4:5, where the heart attitude behind the offering was as important as the offering itself. The sons' behavior foreshadows the later corruption of the priesthood, which would ultimately lead to the need for a perfect High Priest, fulfilled in Jesus Christ (Hebrews 4:14-16).
Persons / Places / Events
1.
EliThe high priest of Shiloh, who was responsible for the tabernacle and the spiritual leadership of Israel. He was the father of Hophni and Phinehas.
2.
Hophni and PhinehasThe sons of Eli, who served as priests but were corrupt and disobedient to God's laws. Their actions are central to this verse.
3.
ShilohThe religious center of Israel at the time, where the tabernacle was located and where Eli and his sons served.
4.
The LORD's OfferingRefers to the sacrifices and offerings made by the Israelites to God, which were being mishandled by Eli's sons.
5.
The LORDThe covenant God of Israel, who is deeply offended by the contempt shown by Eli's sons towards His offerings.
Teaching Points
The Seriousness of SinThe verse highlights the severity of sin, especially when it involves disrespecting what is sacred to God. Believers must recognize the gravity of sin and its impact on their relationship with God.
Responsibility of Spiritual LeadersEli's failure to restrain his sons serves as a warning to spiritual leaders about the importance of accountability and discipline within their families and ministries.
Reverence for God's OfferingsThe contempt shown by Eli's sons for the offerings underscores the need for reverence and respect in worship and service to God.
Consequences of DisobedienceThe eventual judgment on Eli's house illustrates that persistent disobedience and contempt for God's commands lead to severe consequences.
Integrity in ServiceThose serving in ministry must maintain integrity and honor in their duties, ensuring that their actions align with God's standards.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of 1 Samuel 2:17?
2.How did Eli's sons' actions in 1 Samuel 2:17 dishonor God's offerings?
3.What does 1 Samuel 2:17 teach about the consequences of sin?
4.How can we avoid despising "the offering of the LORD" today?
5.Compare Eli's sons' behavior with other biblical examples of disobedience.
6.How should church leaders ensure respect for God's commands in worship?
7.Why was the sin of Eli's sons considered so grievous in 1 Samuel 2:17?
8.How does 1 Samuel 2:17 reflect on the nature of priestly duties and responsibilities?
9.What does 1 Samuel 2:17 reveal about God's judgment on corrupt religious leaders?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from 1 Samuel 2?
11.How do we reconcile the differences between 1 Chronicles 17 and 2 Samuel 7 regarding the details of God's covenant with David?
12.Are there any contradictions between 1 Samuel 4 and other biblical accounts regarding the fate of Eli’s sons or the Ark’s movements?
13.1 Samuel 2:12-17 describes corrupt priests at Shiloh--do archaeological records confirm such a worship center and priesthood as depicted?
14.Psalm 4:5: How do sacrifices of righteousness compare to other biblical texts that claim God does not desire sacrifice (e.g., Psalm 51:16), creating potential inconsistency?What Does 1 Samuel 2:17 Mean
Thus• The word points back to the preceding verses (1 Samuel 2:12–16) where Eli’s sons, Hophni and Phinehas, violently seized the choicest portions of the sacrificial meat.
• It signals a cause-and-effect: because of their earlier actions, a verdict is now declared.
• Cross reference: “Do not despise these small beginnings, for the LORD rejoices to see the work begin” (Zechariah 4:10). God notices both beginnings and results; here He notices wicked beginnings.
the sin of these young men• “Young men” underscores their responsibility despite age (cf.2 Kings 2:23-24).
• Their “sin” is personal, not inherited, showing each generation must answer to God (Ezekiel 18:20).
• Their priestly position magnified their guilt; leaders incur stricter judgment (James 3:1).
• The offense was not ignorance but deliberate rebellion, paralleling Nadab and Abihu’s strange fire (Leviticus 10:1-2).
was severe• “Severe” conveys weightiness—an exact opposite of “lightly esteem.” God measures sin by its weight, not its popularity (Galatians 6:7-8).
• In Scripture, severity often precedes swift discipline: compare Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5:1-11).
• The contrast: Hannah’s obedience (1 Samuel 1:24-28) seemed small but was great; their sin seemed routine but was grave (Matthew 23:23-24).
in the sight of the LORD• Human eyes saw temple bustle; God’s eyes pierced motives (1 Samuel 16:7).
• “The eyes of the LORD are in every place, observing the evil and the good” (Proverbs 15:3). No backstage pass escapes divine surveillance.
• His verdict, not public opinion, defines morality (Isaiah 5:20).
for they were treating the LORD’s offering with contempt• They forcibly took raw fat before it was offered (1 Samuel 2:15-16). Fat belonged solely to God (Leviticus 3:16-17).
• Contempt for the offering equals contempt for the Offerer; worship cannot be mugged for personal gain (Malachi 1:7-8).
• By robbing God, they robbed the people of peace with Him (Leviticus 7:30-34).
• New-covenant parallel: misusing the Lord’s Supper brings judgment (1Colossians 11:27-30).
summaryHophni and Phinehas turned holy service into self-service. God, who weighs every act, proclaimed their conduct “severe” because they desecrated what belonged exclusively to Him. The verse warns that leadership status never shelters deliberate sin, that God sees beyond public ritual to private motive, and that contempt for His offerings invites His decisive discipline. Reverence, not exploitation, must mark all who approach the living God.
(17)
The sin of the young men was very great.--
Grave peccatum sacerdotum ob scandalurn datum laicis("the sin of the priests was a great one, because it put a stumbling-block in the way of the people").--A. Lapide, quoted by Wordsworth. Religion was being brought into general disrepute through the conduct of its leading ministers; was it likely that piety, justice, and purity would be honoured and loved in the land of Israel when the whole ritual of the sacrifices was openly scoffed at in the great sanctuary of the people by the chief priests of their faith?
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
Thus the sinחַטַּ֧את(ḥaṭ·ṭaṯ)Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 2403:An offence, its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, expiation, an offenderof these young menהַנְּעָרִ֛ים(han·nə·‘ā·rîm)Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 5288:A boy, lad, youth, retainerwasוַתְּהִ֨י(wat·tə·hî)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 1961:To fall out, come to pass, become, besevereגְּדוֹלָ֥ה(gə·ḏō·w·lāh)Adjective - feminine singular
Strong's 1419:Great, older, insolentin the sightפְּנֵ֣י(pə·nê)Noun - common plural construct
Strong's 6440:The faceof the LORD,יְהוָ֑ה(Yah·weh)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068:LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israelforכִּ֤י(kî)Conjunction
Strong's 3588:A relative conjunctiontheyהָֽאֲנָשִׁ֔ים(hā·’ă·nā·šîm)Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 582:Man, mankind{were treating} the LORD’sיְהוָֽה׃(Yah·weh)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068:LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israelofferingמִנְחַ֥ת(min·ḥaṯ)Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 4503:A donation, tribute, a sacrificial offeringwith contempt.נִֽאֲצוּ֙(ni·’ă·ṣū)Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 5006:To spurn, treat with contempt
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OT History: 1 Samuel 2:17 The sin of the young men was (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa) 
