Topical Bible: Children: Death of, As a Judgment Upon Parents: Sons of Eli

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The account of the death of Eli's sons, Hophni and Phinehas, serves as a sobering example of divine judgment upon a family due to the sins of the children and the failure of the parent to restrain them. This narrative is found in the book of 1 Samuel, where the spiritual and moral decline of Eli's household is documented.

Eli, a priest and judge of Israel, had two sons who served as priests at the tabernacle in Shiloh. Hophni and Phinehas were described as "worthless men" who "did not know the LORD" (1 Samuel 2:12). Their actions were characterized by blatant disregard for the sacred duties of the priesthood and a profound disrespect for the offerings of the Lord. They exploited their position for personal gain, taking portions of the sacrifices meant for God and engaging in immoral behavior with the women who served at the entrance to the tent of meeting (1 Samuel 2:13-17, 22).

The Lord sent a prophet to Eli, warning him of the impending judgment due to his sons' iniquities and his own failure to restrain them. The prophet declared, "Why do you honor your sons more than Me, by fattening yourselves with the best of all the offerings of My people Israel?" (1 Samuel 2:29). The message was clear: Eli's leniency and lack of discipline towards his sons would result in severe consequences.

God's judgment was pronounced: "I will cut off your strength and the strength of your father's house, so that no one in your house will reach old age" (1 Samuel 2:31). The sign of this judgment would be the death of Hophni and Phinehas on the same day (1 Samuel 2:34).

The fulfillment of this prophecy is recorded in 1 Samuel 4. During a battle with the Philistines, the Israelites, led by Hophni and Phinehas, brought the Ark of the Covenant into the camp, hoping it would secure victory. However, the Philistines defeated Israel, and both sons of Eli were killed. The Ark was captured, and upon hearing the news, Eli himself fell backward, broke his neck, and died (1 Samuel 4:10-18).

This tragic event underscores the seriousness with which God views the responsibilities of spiritual leadership and parental guidance. Eli's failure to correct his sons and their continued disobedience led to their downfall and served as a divine judgment upon the house of Eli. The narrative serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of neglecting God's commands and the importance of upholding righteousness within the family and community.

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1 Samuel 3:13,14
For I have told him that I will judge his house for ever for the iniquity which he knows; because his sons made themselves vile, and he restrained them not.
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Library

Meditations for the Sick.
... tokens and pledges of his fatherly love unto children whom he ... make myself ready for
death; and when death approacheth, prepare myself for judgment. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/bayly/the practice of piety/meditations for the sick.htm

Thoughts Upon Christian Education.
... Day, celebrate the Memory of the Death of Christ ... with Parents neglecting to bring
up their Children in his ... The Execution or which dreadful Judgment is left upon ...
/.../private thoughts upon a christian life/thoughts upon christian education.htm

Prov. 22:06 the Duties of Parents
... He lived to hear of the death of both his sons ... it after many days" (Eccles.11:1).
Many children, I doubt not, shall rise up in the day of judgment, and bless ...
/.../the upper room being a few truths for the times/chapter xvi prov 22 6 the.htm

Home-Discipline.
... Your cruel embraces are hugging your child to death. ... the Lord to do justice and
judgment." He was ... Hence, his children respected his station, venerated his name ...
/.../philips/the christian home/chapter xix home-discipline.htm

Homilies on Galatians and Ephesians.
... Herod, judgment upon, [323]90. ... Law the, not evil, but weak and dangerous, [372]20;
death to, different ... Peter, Three Holy Children, [490]93; Jeremiah, Joseph, St ...
/.../homilies on galatians and ephesians.htm

Sowing and Reaping
... sin, and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.". ... spite of all that is done
for children, the evil ... a future life and in a coming judgment magnifies the ...
/.../moody/sowing and reaping/chapter i sowing and reaping.htm

The Life and Death of Mr. Badman,
... it came to pass, through the righteous judgment of God ... carried him out of this world
by death; I say ... little pitchers have ears;[23] and, indeed, children make a ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the life and death of.htm

The Domestic Relation.
... to appear before him in the day of judgment then you ... trial, and should you be called
to its death bedside you ... The children love each other and are kind and self ...
/.../orr/the gospel day /chapter xiii the domestic relation.htm

The Duty of the People of God to Excite Others to Seek this Rest.
... see they are for life or death, teach them ... Every reasonable soul hath both judgment
and affection; and ... they have for promoting the salvation of their children. ...
/.../baxter/the saints everlasting rest/chapter ix the duty of.htm

The First Kings.
... [Illustration: Christ Blessing Little Children.]. ... Death and royalty seemed to cover
forever his sin. ... temperament which sometimes betrayed his judgment in his ...
/.../headley/half hours in bible lands volume 2/the first kings.htm