and Eli’s later conduct gives evidence of the fact that for too long he had been too permissive. Eli reproved his sons, but as their father, not as the high priest. He did not remove them from office. Instead he satisfied himself with a few words of warning: I hear of your wicked deeds from all the people. No, my sons; for it is not a good report that I hear spreading [among] the people of Yahweh (1 Samuel 2:22–24). Eli took no steps to put a halt to the wickedness that had been brought to his notice14