Theory question 102
Parental Responsibility(a) Relate the events that led to the pronouncement of punishment on the household of Eli. (b) State three ways by which parents can make their children responsible.
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(a) Eli's sons Hophni and Phinehas were worthless and did not know the Lord (1 Samuel 2:12).
They took meat by force before the fat was burnt, treating the offering with contempt (1 Samuel 2:13-17).
They lay with the women serving at the tent of meeting (1 Samuel 2:22).
Eli rebuked them mildly but they did not listen (1 Samuel 2:23-25).
A man of God told Eli he honoured his sons above God; his house would lose the priesthood and both sons would die on one day (1 Samuel 2:27-34).
God called the boy Samuel and told him He would punish Eli's house for ever because Eli knew of his sons' blasphemy and did not restrain them (1 Samuel 3:11-14).
Samuel told Eli, who said, "It is the Lord; let him do what seems good to him" (1 Samuel 3:15-18).
(b) Any three: discipline and correction; good example; teaching God's word; giving them duties at home; good education and skills; prayer for them; monitoring their friends.
Narrate 1 Samuel 2:12–3:18, then three ways.