The Wicked Sons of Eli

12 Now the sons of Eli were acorrupt; 5 bthey did not know the Lord. 13 And the priests’ custom with the people was that when any man offered a sacrifice, the priest’s servant would come with a three-pronged fleshhook in his hand while the meat was boiling. 14 Then he would thrust it into the pan, or kettle, or caldron, or pot; and the priest would take for himself all that the fleshhook brought up. So they did in cShiloh to all the Israelites who came there. 15 Also, before they dburned the fat, the priest’s servant would come and say to the man who sacrificed, “Give meat for roasting to the priest, for he will not take boiled meat from you, but raw.”

16 And if the man said to him, “They should really burn the fat first; then you may take as much as your heart desires,” he would then answer him, “No, but you must give it now; and if not, I will take it by force.”

17 Therefore the sin of the young men was very great ebefore the Lord, for men fabhorred 6the offering of the Lord.

Samuel’s Childhood Ministry

18 gBut Samuel ministered before the Lord, even as a child, hwearing a linen ephod. 19 Moreover his mother used to make him a little robe, and bring it to him year by year when she icame up with her husband to offer the yearly sacrifice. 20 And Eli jwould bless Elkanah and his wife, and say, “The Lord give you descendants from this woman for the 7loan that was kgiven to the Lord.” Then they would go to their own home.

21 And the Lord lvisited 8Hannah, so that she conceived and bore three sons and two daughters. Meanwhile the child Samuel mgrew before the Lord.

Prophecy Against Eli’s Household

22 Now Eli was very old; and he heard everything his sons did to all Israel, 9and how they lay with nthe women who assembled at the door of the tabernacle of meeting. 23 So he said to them, “Why do you do such things? For I hear of your evil dealings from all the people. 24 No, my sons! For it is not a good report that I hear. You make the Lord’s people transgress. 25 If one man sins against another, oGod 1will judge him. But if a man psins against the Lord, who will intercede for him?” Nevertheless they did not heed the voice of their father, qbecause the Lord desired to kill them.