1 Samuel 2:22-36 ▼

22 Now Eli was very old. He heard about everything his sons were doing to all Israel and how they were sleeping with the women who served at the entrance to the tent of meeting.

23 He said to them, “Why are you doing these things? I have heard about your evil actions from all these people.

24 No, my sons, the news I hear the LORD’s people spreading is not good.

25 If one person sins against another, God can intercede for him, but if a person sins against the LORD, who can intercede for him? ” But they would not listen to their father, since the LORD intended to kill them.

26 By contrast, the boy Samuel grew in stature and in favor with the LORD and with people.

27 A man of God came to Eli and said to him, “This is what the LORD says: ‘Didn’t I reveal myself to your forefather’s family when they were in Egypt and belonged to Pharaoh’s palace?

28 Out of all the tribes of Israel, I chose your house to be my priests, to offer sacrifices on my altar, to burn incense, and to wear an ephod in my presence. I also gave your forefather’s family all the Israelite food offerings.

29 Why, then, do all of you despise my sacrifices and offerings that I require at the place of worship? You have honored your sons more than me, by making yourselves fat with the best part of all of the offerings of my people Israel.’

30 “Therefore, this is the declaration of the LORD, the God of Israel: ‘I did say that your family and your forefather’s family would walk before me forever. But now,’ this is the LORD’s declaration, ‘no longer! For those who honor me I will honor, but those who despise me will be disgraced.

31 Look, the days are coming when I will cut off your strength and the strength of your forefather’s family, so that none in your family will reach old age.

32 You will see distress in the place of worship, in spite of all that is good in Israel, and no one in your family will ever again reach old age.

33 Any man from your family I do not cut off from my altar will bring grief and sadness to you. All your descendants will die violently.

34 This will be the sign that will come to you concerning your two sons Hophni and Phinehas: both of them will die on the same day.

35 “ ‘Then I will raise up a faithful priest for myself. He will do whatever is in my heart and mind. I will establish a lasting dynasty for him, and he will walk before my anointed one for all time.

36 Anyone who is left in your family will come and bow down to him for a piece of silver or a loaf of bread. He will say: Please appoint me to some priestly office so I can have a piece of bread to eat.’ ”