1 Samuel 2:23-24

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 2:23

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

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

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 2:24-25

Ye make, etc. Eli's words are very obscure, but "Ye make Jehovah's people to transgress" is upon the whole the best rendering of the clause. Both the Sept. and Syriac have a different reading: "Ye make Jehovah's people cease to worship him" In the next verse there is no sufficient reason for supposing that Elohim, God, here means a judge. Elohim was the head of the theocracy, the ruler of Israel in all things, and he would set to rights these delinquencies of "one man against another" by... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Samuel 2:23-24

1 Samuel 2:23-24 . And he said, Why do ye do such things? He reproved them, but far too gently, as these and the following words manifest. This might proceed partly from the coldness of old age, but it arose chiefly from his too great indulgence to his children. I hear of your evil dealings by all this people Their wickedness was so notorious that there was a general complaint of it, which should have moved him to much greater severity than merely to reprove and chide them. He ought to... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 2:12-36

Judgment on the family of Eli (2:12-3:18)Eli the priest had become the judge, or chief administrator, in Israel. He sat at the door of the house of God where people could freely meet him to seek his advice or ask for directions in disputes (see 1:9; 4:18). His sons, it seems, carried out the routine work in connection with the sacrifices and ceremonies.According to the Levitical law, the portion of the sacrifice that was for God had to be burnt on the altar first, after which the priest and the... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - 1 Samuel 2:23

Why . . . ? Figure of speech Erotesis. App-6 . evil. Hebrew. ra`a`. App-44 . by = from. read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - 1 Samuel 2:24

for. Hebrew has the disjunctive accent on this word (Great Telisha), emphasising the guilt of Hophni and Phinehas as (1) a public scandal (1 Samuel 2:23 ); (2) a cause of stumbling (1 Samuel 2:24 ); (3) a sin against Jehovah (1 Samuel 2:25 ). to transgress, or cry out. Hebrew ` abar. App-44 . read more

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