Eli’s Parental Laxity

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Apr 16, 1885

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 11, No. 16.

Eli’s Parental Laxity

Another notable instance is that of the house of Eli, where parental laxity forfeited the promise of God. “And there came a man of God unto Eli, and said unto him, Thus saith the Lord.” “I said indeed that thy house, and the house of thy father, should walk before me forever; but now the Lord saith, Be it far from me; for them that honor me I will honor, and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed.” 1 Sam. 2:27, 30. Wherein had Eli not honored the Lord? “And honorest thy sons above me.” Verse 29. How was this? “Because his sons made themselves vile and he restrained them not.” 1 Sam. 3:13. “And the Lord said to Samuel, Behold, I will do a thing in Israel, at which both the ears of every one that heareth it shall tingle. In that day I will perform against Eli all things which I have spoken concerning his house; when I begin, I will also make an end. For I have told him that I will judge his house forever for the iniquity which he knoweth; because his sons made themselves vile and he restrained them not. And therefore I have sworn unto the house of Eli, that the iniquity of Eli’s house shall not be purged with sacrifice nor offering forever.” 1 Sam. 3:11–14.