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Our story regarding Eli begins not with Eli but with God's judge who will succeed him. God's successor to Eli will be the great prophet/judge Samuel so we begin with his birth and background.

Samuel's Birth

Samuel was born out of a godly family (1 Samuel 1.1-2.11). Hannah prayed for a son and promised to dedicate him to the Lord. Eli blessed her prayer, and when Samuel was weaned, Hannah brought him to serve in the temple under Eli.

Eli's Failure

By contrast, Eli's sons were wicked men (1 Samuel 2.12-17). They abused their priestly position and "despised the offering of the Lord." Though Eli knew of their sins, he did not restrain them.

Why do you kick at My sacrifice and at My offering which I have commanded in My dwelling, and honor your sons above Me? (1 Samuel 2.29).

God revealed to Samuel the judgment that He would carry out on Eli because he did not rebuke his sons (1 Samuel 3.10-14). When the Philistines defeated Israel and captured the ark of God, both of Eli's sons were killed. Upon hearing the news, Eli fell backward from his seat, broke his neck, and died at age 98.

The tragedy extended to the next generation 3 Eli's daughter-in-law died in childbirth, naming her son Ichabod, saying, "The glory has departed from Israel."

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