Theory question 101
Parental ResponsibilitySection A (Themes from the Old Testament)
(a) Explain how Eli failed as a parent. (b) In what six ways did Israel suffer as a result of Eli's parental irresponsibility? (c) State three lessons that can be derived from the attitude of Eli.
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(a) His sons Hophni and Phinehas were worthless men who did not know the Lord (1 Samuel 2:12).
They took meat by force and treated the Lord's offering with contempt (1 Samuel 2:13-17).
They lay with the women serving at the tent of meeting (1 Samuel 2:22).
Eli only rebuked them mildly and did not restrain them (1 Samuel 2:23-25; 3:13).
He honoured his sons above God by sharing in the fat portions (1 Samuel 2:29).
(b) Any six: worshippers were robbed and offerings despised (2:17); women were abused at the sanctuary (2:22); Israel was defeated by the Philistines, losing 4,000 and then 30,000 men (4:2, 10); the ark of God was captured (4:11); Hophni and Phinehas were killed (4:11); Eli died (4:18); Phinehas' wife died in childbirth and the child was named Ichabod — the glory departed (4:19-22); the priesthood was taken from Eli's house (2:31-36); the word of the Lord was rare (3:1).
(c) Any three: parents must discipline their children; honour God above family; leaders' failures affect the whole nation; sin brings judgement; accept God's judgement humbly as Eli did (3:18).
Show Eli's failure, six results for Israel from 1 Samuel 2–4, then three lessons.