No, my sons;
This phrase reflects Eli's direct address to his sons, Hophni and Phinehas, who were priests serving at the tabernacle in Shiloh. Eli's use of "my sons" indicates a personal and familial relationship, highlighting the gravity of their misconduct. The familial context underscores the disappointment and responsibility Eli feels as both a father and a high priest. This phrase also echoes the biblical theme of parental responsibility and the challenges of guiding children in righteousness, as seen in Proverbs 22:6.

it is not a good report I hear
Eli refers to the widespread negative reports about his sons' behavior. The term "report" suggests that their actions were well-known and publicly discussed, indicating a significant breach of conduct. In the cultural context of ancient Israel, reputation and honor were crucial, especially for those in religious service. The "good report" is reminiscent of the qualifications for church leaders in the New Testament, such as in 1 Timothy 3:7, where a good reputation is essential.

circulating among the LORD’s people.
This phrase emphasizes the community aspect of the offense. The "LORD's people" refers to the Israelites, God's chosen nation, who were expected to uphold His laws and commandments. The misconduct of Eli's sons was not just a personal failing but a public scandal affecting the entire community's spiritual health. This reflects the biblical principle that leaders' actions can influence the faith and behavior of the people they lead, as seen in James 3:1. The phrase also highlights the covenant relationship between God and Israel, where the priests were to be mediators and examples of holiness.

1. Eli
The high priest of Israel at the time, Eli is addressing his sons in this verse. He is a significant figure in the early chapters of 1 Samuel, serving as both a priest and a judge over Israel.

2. Hophni and Phinehas
The sons of Eli, who were priests serving at the tabernacle. They are known for their corrupt and sinful behavior, which included taking advantage of their priestly position for personal gain.

3. The Tabernacle at Shiloh
The central place of worship for the Israelites during this period. It is where Eli and his sons served and where the Ark of the Covenant was housed.

4. The Israelites
The people of God, who are affected by the actions of Eli's sons. Their complaints about the sons' behavior reach Eli, prompting his rebuke.

5. The LORD
The God of Israel, whose laws and commands are being violated by the actions of Eli's sons. The LORD's standards are central to the account and the rebuke Eli gives.The Importance of Godly Leadership
Leaders in the church and community must uphold God's standards. Eli's failure to correct his sons' behavior serves as a warning about the consequences of neglecting this responsibility.

The Impact of Sin on Community
The sins of Hophni and Phinehas affected the entire community of Israel. Our actions, especially those in leadership, have a ripple effect on others.

The Necessity of Accountability
Eli's rebuke, though late, underscores the need for accountability among God's people. We must hold each other accountable to live according to God's Word.

The Value of a Good Reputation
A good report among God's people is crucial. As believers, we should strive to maintain a reputation that honors God and reflects His character.

The Consequences of Ignoring Sin
Ignoring or downplaying sin can lead to severe consequences, both personally and communally. Eli's account reminds us of the importance of addressing sin promptly and decisively.(24) Ye make the Lord's people to transgress.--The life led by the priests publicly in the sanctuary, with their evident scornful unbelief in the divinely established holy ordinances on the one hand, and their unblushing immorality on the other, corrupted the inner religious life of the whole people.

Verses 24, 25. - Ye make, etc. Eli's words are very obscure, but "Ye make Jehovah's people to transgress" is upon the whole the best rendering of the clause. Both the Sept. and Syriac have a different reading: "Ye make Jehovah's people cease to worship him" In the next verse there is no sufficient reason for supposing that Elohim, God, here means a judge. Elohim was the head of the theocracy, the ruler of Israel in all things, and he would set to rights these delinquencies of "one man against another" by the ordinary exercise of his judicial functions. So far all is easy, and we must translate, "If one man sin against another, God shall judge him." But in the last clause there is one of those plays upon words to which the Hebrew language, with its numerous conjugations, so readily lends itself (see on 1 Samuel 1:28); and it is rarely possible to transfer to another language the force of passages in which the sense depends upon the terms in the original having a double meaning. The verb rendered shall judge in the first clause is used again by Eli in the second, but in a different conjugation, in which its usual meaning is to pray. According to the lexicon, therefore, we must translate: "If a man sin against Jehovah, who shall pray for him?" But surely it was just the occasion in which the only remedy left was intercessory prayer. Bearing then in remembrance the use made by Eli of the verb in the first clause, we must translate: "Who shall act as judge for him?" "Who shall interpose as arbitrator between him and Jehovah to settle the quarrel?" The verb itself, moreover, is a rare and old-fashioned one, and apparently means to settle a dispute. So it is used of Phinehas, who by his righteous zeal put an end to the rebellion against God's laws; and accordingly in Psalm 106:30, where our version renders "executed judgment," the, Vulgate has placavit, appeased Jehovah s anger. The sense then is, In case of wrong done between man and man, God as the supreme Arbitrator settles the dispute; but where the two parties are God and man, what third power is there which can interfere? The quarrel must go on to the bitter end, and God, who is your opponent, will also punish you. The same idea is found in Job 9:33. Naturally to so mild a remonstrance, and founded upon so low a view of the Divine nature, the sons of Eli paid but slight attention, and by thus hardening themselves in sin they made their punishment inevitable, "because it pleased Jehovah to slay them." Man can bring upon himself neither good nor evil except by the working of God's will, and the punishment of sin is as thoroughly a part of God's will as the rewarding of righteousness. An intense conviction of the personality of God was the very foundation of the religious life of the Israelites, and lies at the root of the words of Eli here and of those of Job; and it was this which made them ascribe to God that hardening of the wicked in sin which is the sure means of their punishment. We ascribe it to the working of natural laws, which after all is but saying the same thing in a round about way; for the laws of nature, in things moral as well as in the physical world, are the laws of God. In ver. 26, in contrast with Eli's sons ripening for punishment, and daily more abhorred to God and man, we have Samuel set before us advancing in age and "in favour with Jehovah and also with men," like him of whom in so many respects he was a type (Luke 2:52), our blessed Lord.

CHAPTER 2:27-36 THE DIVINE JUDGMENT UPON ELI AND HIS HOUSE (vers. 27-36).

Parallel Commentaries ...

No,
אַ֖ל (’al)
Adverb
Strong's 408: Not

my sons;
בָּנָ֑י (bā·nāy)
Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common singular
Strong's 1121: A son

[it is] not
לֽוֹא־ (lō·w-)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

a good
טוֹבָ֤ה (ṭō·w·ḇāh)
Adjective - feminine singular
Strong's 2896: Pleasant, agreeable, good

report
הַשְּׁמֻעָה֙ (haš·šə·mu·‘āh)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 8052: Something heard, an announcement

I
אָנֹכִ֣י (’ā·nō·ḵî)
Pronoun - first person common singular
Strong's 595: I

hear
שֹׁמֵ֔עַ (šō·mê·a‘)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 8085: To hear intelligently

circulating among
מַעֲבִרִ֖ים (ma·‘ă·ḇi·rîm)
Verb - Hifil - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 5674: To pass over, through, or by, pass on

the LORD’s
יְהוָֽה׃ (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

people.
עַם־ (‘am-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock


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OT History: 1 Samuel 2:24 No my sons (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa)