Chapter 8: The Warning No One Could Stop

Eli was very old now, and he heard all that Hophni and Phinehas were doing. They were sleeping with the women who served at the entrance of the tent of meeting. And Eli finally confronted them.

ELI“If someone sins against a man, God will mediate for him, but if someone sins against the Lord, who can intercede for him?”— 1 Samuel 2:25

But his sons would not listen, for the Lord had already determined their death was coming.

Meanwhile, Samuel grew in favor with the Lord and with men. And in those days, a man of God came to Shiloh and stood before Eli with a message from the Lord.

MAN OF GOD“Those who honor Me I will honor, and those who despise Me shall be lightly esteemed. The days are coming when I will cut off the strength of your father's house. Both your sons, Hophni and Phinehas, shall die on the same day. And I will raise up for Myself a faithful priest, who shall do according to what is in My heart and in My mind.”— 1 Samuel 2:30, 31, 34, 35

The man of God left. Eli said nothing. And somewhere in the courts, Samuel had just heard the prophet pronounce God's judgment on the household that had raised him.