1 Samuel 2:22-25 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Samuel 2:11-26

In these verses we have the good character and posture of Elkanah's family, and the bad character and posture of Eli's family. The account of these two is observably interwoven throughout this whole paragraph, as if the historian intended to set the one over against the other, that they might set off one another. The devotion and good order of Elkanah's family aggravated the iniquity of Eli's house; while the wickedness of Eli's sons made Samuel's early piety appear the more bright and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 2:22

Now Eli was very old ,.... It is very probable he was now about ninety years of age, since when he died he was ninety eight, 1 Samuel 4:15 which is observed to show his incapacity for the discharge of his office, and inspection into public affairs; which gave his sons opportunity of acting the wicked part they did without reproof, and with impunity, Eli knowing nothing of it; and accounts in some measure for the gentle reproof he gave them, when he did know of it; for being old, he was not... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 2:23

And he said unto them, why do ye such things ?.... As to impose upon the people that bring their offerings, by taking more than is due, and in a very indecent and imperious manner; and especially to defile the women when they came to worship: these were very scandalous sins, and deserved a more severe reprimand, and indeed a greater chastisement than by mere words; Eli should have rebuked them more sharply, and laid open the evil of their doings, and as a judge punished them for them: for... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 2:24

Nay, my sons ,.... This seems to be too soft and smooth an appellation, too kind and endearing, considering the offence they were guilty of, and were now reproving for; rather they deserved to be called sons of Belial, the children of the devil, than sons of Eli, or brutes and shameless wretches, and such like hard names: for it is no good report that I hear ; a very bad one; far from being good, scarce anything worse could have been said of them; to rob persons of the flesh of their... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 2:25

If one man sin against another, the judge shall judge him , &c.; When one man does an injury to another in his person and property, the case is brought before the judge, he hears it, examines into it, and determines upon it, and does justice, orders that the injured person have satisfaction made him, and so the matter is ended: but if a man sin against the Lord, who shall entreat for him ? all sin is in some sense against God, as it is contrary to his nature, and a breach of his law,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 2:22

They lay with the women that assembled - It is probable that these were persons who had some employment about the tabernacle. See the note on Exodus 38:8 , where the Hebrew text is similar to that in this place. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 2:23

Why do ye such things ! - Eli appears to have been a fondly affectionate, easy father, who wished his sons to do well, but did not bring them under proper discipline, and did not use his authority to restrain them. As judge, he had power to cast them immediately out of the vineyard, as wicked and unprofitable servants; this he did not, and his and their ruin was the consequence. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 2:25

If one man sin against another - All differences between man and man may be settled by the proper judge; but if a man sin against the Supreme Judge, God himself, who shall reconcile him to his Maker? Your sin is immediately against God himself, and is the highest insult that can be offered, because it is in the matter of his own worship, therefore ye may expect his heaviest judgments. But if a man sin against the Lord , who shall entreat for him ? - This... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 2:22

Eli … heard all that his sons did . To the profanity and greed described in 1 Samuel 2:12-17 the sons of Eli added unchastity; and their sin was the greater because the women whom they corrupted were those dedicated to religious service (see Exodus 38:8 ). The order of ministering women instituted by Moses probably lasted down to the destruction of the temple, and Anna may have belonged to it ( Luke 2:37 ); afterwards it appeared again in a more spiritual form in the widows and... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 2:22-26

Abandoned. The facts are— 1 . Eli in advancing years hears of the abominable deeds of his sons. 2 . He remonstrates with them, pointing out the con sequences of their conduct. 3 . Heedless of the warning, they persist in sin, being abandoned by God. The narrative of the sacred historian seems to take in two extremes—two elements working on in moral antagonism till the one passes away and the other becomes ascendant. The abominations and profanations of Eli's sons, and Samuel's... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Samuel 2:11-26

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 2:22

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 2:23

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 2:24

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 2:25

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 2:22

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 2:23

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 2:25

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 2:22

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 2:22-26

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