The constituent scenes in 1 Samuel 2 are thus all the more sharply framed because of what they share: an emphasis on sons and a concern about lineal-biological succession. Here the “cross-cutting” style of the chapter’s presentation reinforces the differences between the sons being described. Hophni and Phinehas abuse the privileges of their priestly office in shameful ways; the narrative takes more time to make its case against them and to portray the impotence of Eli’s response. Samuel, on the