Theory question 102
Parental ResponsibilityTo what extent was the moral weakness of Eli's children due to their father's lack of parental responsibility? How did God react to this lapse?
Show the model answer
Eli's sons Hophni and Phinehas were worthless men who did not know the Lord (1 Samuel 2:12).
They took meat by force with a fork and demanded raw meat before the fat was burnt, treating the offering with contempt (1 Samuel 2:13-17).
They lay with the women who served at the entrance of the tent of meeting (1 Samuel 2:22).
Eli rebuked them only mildly, and they did not listen (1 Samuel 2:23-25).
God said Eli honoured his sons above Him (1 Samuel 2:29).
He knew they were blaspheming God and did not restrain them (1 Samuel 3:13).
Extent: Eli was largely to blame because he failed to discipline them; but the sons were adults and personally responsible for their wickedness.
God's reaction: a man of God foretold that Eli's house would lose the priesthood and his sons would die on one day (1 Samuel 2:27-36).
God told the boy Samuel He would punish Eli's house for ever (1 Samuel 3:11-14).
Israel was defeated by the Philistines; Hophni and Phinehas were killed and the ark captured (1 Samuel 4:10-11).
Eli fell, broke his neck and died on hearing the news (1 Samuel 4:18).
Weigh Eli's failure against the sons' own guilt, then God's judgement.