Summary
Eli had two wicked sons named Hophni and Phineas; they also served in the tabernacle but did not know the Lord (1 Samuel 2:12) They violated the Law by keeping and eating meat from the sacrifices that was not allocated to them. They also had sex with the women who served at the doorway to the tent of meeting (1 Samuel 2:22). The bad behavior of Eli’s sons was apparently widely known (1 Samuel 2:24), and the report came back to Eli. When he found out about these things, he rebuked his sons but failed to make them stop, allowing them to continue to profane the tabernacle.
Sermon Questions
- What’s the best advice you ever received from your father or a father figure?
- Verse 12 says, “Eli’s sons were scoundrels; they had no regard for the Lord.” What does this teach us about the importance of spiritual leadership in the home?
- A man of God rebukes Eli for honoring his sons more than God. What does this reveal about misplaced priorities in family life?
- What would it look like to “honor God above all” in your role as a father, mentor, or man of God?
- Where might you need to speak up in your family or community—especially where sin or dysfunction is being ignored?