This passage contrasts Eli’s family and Samuel’s parents, Hannah and Elkanah’s family. Eli was very old (22a), and his sons worked in his office serving the priestly duties. However, they had no regard for the Lord (12). They were stealing the offerings (13-17) and engaged in sexually immoral behaviors with the women who came to worship the Lord (22b).

In the meantime, Samuel was growing up in the presence of the Lord. His prayerful mother, Hannah, continued to provide for him and worshipped the Lord. And God blessed their family and gave Hannah five more children (21).

Eli, as a godly father, gave his sons a heartfelt speech to stop sinning before the Lord. But as they did not honor God, they also did not listen to their father’s rebuke (24,25). Probably, Eli felt helpless, but as God’s messenger states, Eli ‘honored his sons more than God’ (29). He had failed to teach them properly at their tender age and let them go on with their sinful behavior while occupying the priestly office. This negligence was a great offense before God as Eli failed to honor and obey him. God would raise a faithful priest to carry on, yet Eli’s house would go down.
Application: Father, you hold all power. Please help me to remember you, fear you, and honor you each day and moment.
One Word: Honor the Lord.