“Now Eli was very old; and he heard everything his sons did to all Israel, and how they lay with the women who assembled at the door of the tabernacle of meeting. So he said to them, “Why do you do such things? For I hear of your evil dealings from all the people. No, my sons! For it is not a good report that I hear. You make the Lord’s people transgress. If one man sins against another, God will judge him. But if a man sins against the Lord, who will intercede for him?” Nevertheless they did not heed the voice of their father, because the Lord desired to kill them. And the child Samuel grew in stature, and in favor both with the Lord and men.”
– 1 Samuel 2:22-26
When wicked men are allowed to run in the house of God, their hypocritical actions and heinous sins become more and more evident as they offend God and hurt others. This was the sad but true reality as Hophni and Phineas abhorred God’s commands, especially those regarding worship and sacrifice (v. 17). Hophni and Phineas were such poor leaders of the people. They were poor witnesses to the people, as well as poor instructors of them in word and example. Therefore, as such truth came to light, the bright contrast of Samuel being a beacon of righteousness as God’s growing servant became all the more clear as a wonderful work of divine grace. For God preserved Samuel’s purity and godly obedience in the midst of their corruption. Praise the Lord that by His grace, He preserves His servants in such ways in the midst of wolves and vipers.
Having referenced Samuel’s growth before the Lord in v. 21, notice how the focus of the chapter returns again to Eli’s sons to provide further contrast by exposing deeper levels of their sin in v. 22. How does this exposure begin? With a reference to Eli’s old age. Now, why would Samuel mention that here? Eli’s age is given as a reason as to why his sons were able to commit the sins they did without prompt accountability and correction. Due to his old age, Eli couldn’t inspect the service of the tabernacle as he had done when he was younger. He left everything to his sons to take care of. Without their father at the tabernacle with them, they had the unchecked ability to sin freely there. Indeed, sin flourishes in darkness when it’s allowed to run free without exposure. Yet, when light comes into contact with darkness, what does it do? It doesn’t have fellowship with it, but exposes it. Samuel knew that he must not have fellowship with them and their sin. Eli grew to have the courage to expose them.
The Apostle Paul teaches the need for both actions well in Eph. 5:11-13, “And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them. For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret. But all things that are exposed are made manifest by the light, for whatever makes manifest is light” [emphasis added].
Hophni and Phineas’ sins were so great that reports of the evil they had done didn’t come from their own lips because they were convicted and sorrowful for them. No, Eli heard reports from other people. Their sins had become public knowledge and had wide effect on the people. Sin after sin, Eli heard about them all. These reports were things that Eli should have already observed and dealt with. Yet, what he heard was likely quite heart-breaking, particularly about their committing adultery against their wives as they engaged in sexual sin with women at the tabernacle. For, Eli heard that his sons had sinned with women who “assembled at the door of the tabernacle of meeting” [emphasis added]. What is this referring to? Some scholars note that such an assembly was the usual practice as the people gathered to worship God at the tabernacle, like Elkanah and Hannah did on the Day of Atonement. These two men engaged in sexual sin with women who were waiting at the door. Others believe the sexual sin Hophni and Phineas may very well been involved in was temple prostitution, which also was an explicit abomination to the Lord and was condemned in the Law (Deut. 23:17-18). They broke the 5th Commandment in seeking their own pleasure and commanding unlawful things as superiors against their inferiors (WLC 130). This is an example of how sexual sin has been present for a long, long time among wicked priests and worshipers they take advantage of.
So, their father rebuked them for their “evildoings.” Notice Eli’s focus regarding their crime- they caused God’s people to transgress. He shows them that they not only sinned, but made Israel sin. Therefore, they would have the people’s sin to answer for as well as their own. They corrupted the nation, instead of reforming it. Further, Hophni and Phineas needed to know the grave consequences of their sin. They sinned first and foremost against the Lord. Though there may be some mediation in disputes among people, when someone offends God there’s no one who can intervene, Eli said. Why was this true? Priests were appointed as judges in many dispute cases. They would arbitrate the case, and make atonement for the offender. However, Hophni and Phineas’ sin and condition before God was deplorable, considering Eli couldn’t say a good word for them nor appear as their advocate. There was no one to intervene for them. Despite Eli’s words and warning, the sad truth was that they were hardened to hear and receive the rebuke of their father, and refused to take heed.
There was a clear reason for their hardened response- “because the Lord desired to kill them”. Now, this is a hard saying. However, it is a clear statement of God’s sovereignty over the destiny of the wicked that doesn’t diminish their responsibility for their own actions. The wages of sin is death (Rom. 6:23). In His righteous wrath, God gave Hophni and Phineas over to hardness of heart because He had decided to destroy them for their sins. As we’re taught in Joshua 11:20 regarding the hardening of nations who fought Israel, “For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts, that they should come against Israel in battle, that He might utterly destroy them, and that they might receive no mercy, but that He might destroy them, as the Lord had commanded Moses” [emphasis added]. So, too, was destruction God’s decision against Eli’s sons. This is the sobering doctrine of reprobation (Rom. 9:17-22).
What was true of Samuel in the midst of this? “And the child Samuel grew in stature, and in favor both with the Lord and men.” Don’t miss how Samuel points us to Christ. Like Samuel, Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men. (Luke 2:52) Jesus is the true beacon of righteousness in the midst of corruption. He is our righteousness (1 Cor. 1:30). He is the Light of the world who dispels the darkness, exposes it for what it is, and has freed His people from bondage to it (John 8:12). Jesus is the perfect One who is the definition of purity and displayed perfect obedience to His Father, in the midst of wolves and vipers in His earthly ministry. Further, Jesus did what Eli could not. Gloriously, while we were still sinners, like Hophni and Phineas, out of great love for His people, Christ died for us. He is the only mediator between God and man. He is interceding for us at God’s right hand. Praise the Lord!
Beloved, though wicked men may tragically and sinfully wreak havoc against God’s people, running unchecked at times, take this comfort with you from this passage today:
- In the perfect timing and work of God, sin will be exposed, brought to light, and dealt with, even ultimately on the Day of Judgment.
- God often uses the means of His people to bring the light of Christ and His Word to bear on sin through proclamation, rebuke, correction, and discipline. Pastors and church officers need to have close accountability like others do. We need to guard our own hearts and lives well. Regular examination needs to happen. We must take heed, lest we fall and possibly bring others down with us. Further, shepherds need the support of shepherds shepherding them well. Officers must remain steadfast in the battle so that sin doesn’t sink its serpentine fangs into the flock. Support is need to both help flee from sin and biblically deal with sin should it arise. Other members of the flock should be watchful and humble as well, as the Lord may use you to speak words in season and take godly action in various situations and relationships.
- As God deals with those who harm, He also comforts those who have been hurt, even through words of judgment against the offenders. The Holy Spirit works in and through His Word and people to bring true healing to pain and wounds.
- Never forget that God has mercy on whom His wills, and whom He wills He hardens. (Rom. 9:18) Though good words be said and strong actions taken, God’s purposes will be accomplished and His will done for His perfect justice and glory. Evil among God’s people will be dealt with and removed. Christ will keep His bride pure by burning the dross and expelling the wolves.
- Finally, once again in Samuel, we find that in the midst of sin and corruption, hope isn’t lost. God’s light will continue to shine forth in and through godly servants that He raises up, which we ultimately see in Christ.