1 Samuel 2:32
You will see distress in My dwelling place. Despite all that is good in Israel, no one in your house will ever again reach old age.
You will see distress
The Hebrew word for "distress" is "צר" (tsar), which conveys a sense of adversity, affliction, or trouble. In the context of 1 Samuel, this distress is a prophetic warning to Eli, the high priest, about the impending judgment on his household due to the sins of his sons. This phrase serves as a reminder of the consequences of disobedience and the importance of faithfulness to God's commands. It underscores the reality that even those in positions of spiritual leadership are not immune to divine discipline.

in My dwelling
The term "dwelling" refers to the tabernacle, the sacred place where God's presence resided among the Israelites. The Hebrew word "משכן" (mishkan) signifies a place of dwelling or habitation. This phrase highlights the gravity of the situation, as the distress will occur in the very place that symbolizes God's presence and covenant with His people. It serves as a sobering reminder that the holiness of God's dwelling demands reverence and purity from those who serve there.

despite all that is good in Israel
This phrase acknowledges the blessings and favor that God has bestowed upon Israel. The Hebrew word for "good" is "טוב" (tov), which encompasses goodness, prosperity, and well-being. Despite the overall goodness and prosperity in Israel, Eli's household will experience distress due to their unfaithfulness. This contrast emphasizes the principle that God's blessings do not exempt individuals from accountability and the need for personal righteousness.

and no one in your house
The phrase "your house" refers to Eli's family line, specifically his descendants. In the ancient Near Eastern context, a family's legacy and honor were closely tied to the longevity and prosperity of its members. The judgment pronounced here is severe, as it affects the entire household, highlighting the far-reaching consequences of sin and the importance of maintaining a godly heritage.

will ever again reach old age
The Hebrew word for "old age" is "זקן" (zaqen), which denotes advanced age and the wisdom and honor that typically accompany it. The pronouncement that no one in Eli's house will reach old age signifies a loss of honor and continuity for his family line. This serves as a stark warning about the long-term impact of disobedience and the importance of living a life that honors God, ensuring His blessings for future generations.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Eli
The high priest of Israel during the time of Samuel's birth. His family is the subject of God's judgment due to the sins of his sons, Hophni and Phinehas.

2. Hophni and Phinehas
Eli's sons, who were priests but acted wickedly, showing contempt for the Lord's offerings and engaging in immoral behavior.

3. Shiloh
The location of the tabernacle where Eli served as priest. It was the religious center of Israel before the temple was built in Jerusalem.

4. Samuel
A young boy dedicated to the Lord by his mother, Hannah, who would later become a prophet and judge over Israel.

5. The House of Eli
Refers to Eli's family line, which was under God's judgment due to their unfaithfulness and corruption.
Teaching Points
The Consequences of Sin
The passage highlights the severe consequences of unrepentant sin, especially for those in spiritual leadership. It serves as a warning to maintain integrity and faithfulness to God's commands.

God's Sovereignty and Justice
God's judgment on Eli's house demonstrates His sovereignty and commitment to justice. He holds individuals accountable, especially those in positions of influence.

The Importance of Godly Leadership
The failure of Eli's sons underscores the need for godly leadership in the community of faith. Leaders are called to set an example and lead with righteousness.

The Role of the Family in Spiritual Formation
Eli's failure to discipline his sons serves as a reminder of the importance of spiritual guidance and discipline within the family.

Hope and Redemption
Despite the judgment on Eli's house, God raises up Samuel, showing that He can bring about renewal and hope even in times of distress.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the judgment on Eli's house reflect the importance of holiness and integrity in spiritual leadership?

2. In what ways can we ensure that we are not repeating the mistakes of Eli's sons in our own lives and communities?

3. How does the account of Eli and his sons challenge us to examine the spiritual health of our families and the influence we have on the next generation?

4. What does this passage teach us about God's character, particularly His justice and mercy?

5. How can we find hope and encouragement in God's ability to raise up faithful leaders like Samuel, even in times of spiritual decline?
Connections to Other Scriptures
1 Samuel 3:11-14
God confirms His judgment on Eli's house, emphasizing the seriousness of their sins and the irrevocable nature of the punishment.

1 Kings 2:27
Solomon fulfills the prophecy by removing Abiathar, a descendant of Eli, from the priesthood, thus ending Eli's line in the priestly office.

Psalm 78:60-64
Describes God's rejection of Shiloh and the consequences of Israel's unfaithfulness, which aligns with the judgment on Eli's house.
A Message of Approaching JudgmentB. Dale 1 Samuel 2:27-36
Judgment Upon a False PriesthoodT. Carlyle.1 Samuel 2:31-34
People
Eli, Elkanah, Hannah, Hophni, Israelites, Pharaoh, Phinehas, Samuel
Places
Egypt, Ramah, Shiloh
Topics
Adversary, Affliction, Although, Amidst, Beheld, Behold, Bestowed, Distress, Dwelling, Enemy, Envious, Eye, Family, Forever, Habitation, Hast, Line, Oppressor, Prosperity, Rival, Spite, Wealth
Dictionary of Bible Themes
1 Samuel 2:27-36

     5340   house
     5686   fathers, examples

1 Samuel 2:31-32

     5681   family, nature of

1 Samuel 2:31-33

     5726   old age, attainment

Library
The Child Prophet
'And the child Samuel ministered unto the Lord before Eli. And the word of the Lord was precious in those days; there was no open vision. 2. And it came to pass at that time, when Eli was laid down in his place, and his eyes began to wax dim, that he could not see; 8. And ere the lamp of God went out in the temple of the Lord, where the ark of God was, and Samuel was laid down to sleep; 4. That the Lord called Samuel: and he answered, Here am I. 5. And he ran onto Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Reverence in Worship.
"Samuel ministered before the Lord, being a child, girded with a linen ephod."--1 Samuel ii. 18. Samuel, viewed in his place in sacred history, that is, in the course of events which connect Moses with Christ, appears as a great ruler and teacher of his people; this is his prominent character. He was the first of the prophets; yet, when we read the sacred narrative itself, in which his life is set before us, I suppose those passages are the more striking and impressive which represent him, in
John Henry Newman—Parochial and Plain Sermons, Vol. VIII

The Knowledge of God
'The Lord is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed.' I Sam 2:2. Glorious things are spoken of God; he transcends our thoughts, and the praises of angels. God's glory lies chiefly in his attributes, which are the several beams by which the divine nature shines forth. Among other of his orient excellencies, this is not the least, The Lord is a God of knowledge; or as the Hebrew word is, A God of knowledges.' Through the bright mirror of his own essence, he has a full idea and cognisance
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

Though the Fore-Mentioned Eternal Moral Obligations
are incumbent indeed on all rational creatures, antecedent to any respect of particular reward or punishment, yet they must certainly and necessarily be attended with rewards and punishments: Because the same reasons, which prove God himself to be necessarily just and good, and the rules of justice, equity, and goodness, to be his unalterable will, law, and command, to all created beings; prove also that he cannot but be pleased with and approve such creatures as imitate and obey him by observing
Samuel Clarke—A Discourse Concerning the Being and Attributes of God

Letter xxix. To Marcella.
An explanation of the Hebrew words Ephod bad (1 Sam. ii. 18) and Teraphim (Judges xvii. 5). Written at Rome to Marcella, also at Rome a.d. 384.
St. Jerome—The Principal Works of St. Jerome

A Private Enquiry
"What is the thing that the Lord hath said unto thee?"--1 Samuel 3:17. THE Lord would not speak directly to Eli, although he was the High Priest. In ordinary circumstances it would have been so; but Eli had grieved the Lord, and thus had lost his honorable standing. God had not cast him off; but he viewed him with such displeasure that he would only speak to him through another person: even as great kings, if they are offended with their courtiers, send them messages by other hands. The Lord sent,
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 37: 1891

Appendix xix. On Eternal Punishment, According to the Rabbis and the New Testament
THE Parables of the Ten Virgins' and of the Unfaithful Servant' close with a Discourse on the Last Things,' the final Judgment, and the fate of those Christ's Righ Hand and at His Left (St. Matt. xxv. 31-46). This final Judgment by our Lord forms a fundamental article in the Creed of the Church. It is the Christ Who comes, accompanied by the Angelic Host, and sits down on the throne of His Glory, when all nations are gathered before Him. Then the final separation is made, and joy or sorrow awarded
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

Covenanting a Privilege of Believers.
Whatever attainment is made by any as distinguished from the wicked, or whatever gracious benefit is enjoyed, is a spiritual privilege. Adoption into the family of God is of this character. "He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power (margin, or, the right; or, privilege) to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name."[617] And every co-ordinate benefit is essentially so likewise. The evidence besides, that Covenanting
John Cunningham—The Ordinance of Covenanting

The Mystery
Of the Woman dwelling in the Wilderness. The woman delivered of a child, when the dragon was overcome, from thenceforth dwelt in the wilderness, by which is figured the state of the Church, liberated from Pagan tyranny, to the time of the seventh trumpet, and the second Advent of Christ, by the type, not of a latent, invisible, but, as it were, an intermediate condition, like that of the lsraelitish Church journeying in the wilderness, from its departure from Egypt, to its entrance into the land
Joseph Mede—A Key to the Apocalypse

Sixth Day. Holiness and Glory.
Who is like unto Thee, O Lord! among the gods? Who is like unto Thee, glorious in holiness, Fearful in praises, doing wonders? Thou in Thy mercy hast led Thy people which Thou hast redeemed: Thou hast guided them in Thy strength to the habitation of Thy holiness ... The holy place, O Lord, which Thy hands have established.' --Ex. xv. 11-17. In these words we have another step in advance in the revelation of Holiness. We have here for the first time Holiness predicated of God Himself. He
Andrew Murray—Holy in Christ

Sanctification.
VI. Objections answered. I will consider those passages of scripture which are by some supposed to contradict the doctrine we have been considering. 1 Kings viii. 46: "If they sin against thee, (for there is no man that sinneth not,) and thou be angry with them, and deliver them to the enemy, so that they carry them away captives unto the land of the enemy, far or near," etc. On this passage, I remark:-- 1. That this sentiment in nearly the same language, is repeated in 2 Chron. vi. 26, and in Eccl.
Charles Grandison Finney—Systematic Theology

Seventeenth Sunday after Trinity the Christian Calling and Unity.
Text: Ephesians 4, 1-6. 1 I, therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beseech you to walk worthily of the calling wherewith ye were called, 2 with all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; 3 giving diligence to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as also ye were called in one hope of your calling; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all, and through all, and in all.
Martin Luther—Epistle Sermons, Vol. III

The Sun Rising Upon a Dark World
The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon then hath the light shined. C ontrasts are suited to illustrate and strengthen the impression of each other. The happiness of those, who by faith in MESSIAH, are brought into a state of peace, liberty, and comfort, is greatly enhanced and heightened by the consideration of that previous state of misery in which they once lived, and of the greater misery to which they were justly exposed.
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 1

Entire Sanctification
By Dr. Adam Clarke The word "sanctify" has two meanings. 1. It signifies to consecrate, to separate from earth and common use, and to devote or dedicate to God and his service. 2. It signifies to make holy or pure. Many talk much, and indeed well, of what Christ has done for us: but how little is spoken of what he is to do in us! and yet all that he has done for us is in reference to what he is to do in us. He was incarnated, suffered, died, and rose again from the dead; ascended to heaven, and there
Adam Clarke—Entire Sanctification

The Holiness of God
The next attribute is God's holiness. Exod 15:51. Glorious in holiness.' Holiness is the most sparkling jewel of his crown; it is the name by which God is known. Psa 111:1. Holy and reverend is his name.' He is the holy One.' Job 6:60. Seraphims cry, Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts, the whole earth is full of his glory.' Isa 6:6. His power makes him mighty, his holiness makes him glorious. God's holiness consists in his perfect love of righteousness, and abhorrence of evil. Of purer eyes than
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

Mothers, Daughters, and Wives in Israel
In order accurately to understand the position of woman in Israel, it is only necessary carefully to peruse the New Testament. The picture of social life there presented gives a full view of the place which she held in private and in public life. Here we do not find that separation, so common among Orientals at all times, but a woman mingles freely with others both at home and abroad. So far from suffering under social inferiority, she takes influential and often leading part in all movements, specially
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life

Tiglath-Pileser iii. And the Organisation of the Assyrian Empire from 745 to 722 B. C.
TIGLATH-PILESER III. AND THE ORGANISATION OF THE ASSYRIAN EMPIRE FROM 745 to 722 B.C. FAILURE OF URARTU AND RE-CONQUEST Of SYRIA--EGYPT AGAIN UNITED UNDER ETHIOPIAN AUSPICES--PIONKHI--THE DOWNFALL OF DAMASCUS, OF BABYLON, AND OF ISRAEL. Assyria and its neighbours at the accession of Tiglath-pileser III.: progress of the Aramaeans in the basin of the Middle Tigris--Urartu and its expansion into the north of Syria--Damascus and Israel--Vengeance of Israel on Damascus--Jeroboam II.--Civilisation
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 7

Samuel
Alike from the literary and the historical point of view, the book[1] of Samuel stands midway between the book of Judges and the book of Kings. As we have already seen, the Deuteronomic book of Judges in all probability ran into Samuel and ended in ch. xii.; while the story of David, begun in Samuel, embraces the first two chapters of the first book of Kings. The book of Samuel is not very happily named, as much of it is devoted to Saul and the greater part to David; yet it is not altogether inappropriate,
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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