1 Samuel 2:31

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Samuel 2:27-36

Eli reproved his sons too gently, and did not threaten them as he should, and therefore God sent a prophet to him to reprove him sharply, and to threaten him, because, by his indulgence of them, he had strengthened their hands in their wickedness. If good men be wanting in their duty, and by their carelessness and remissness contribute any thing to the sin of sinners, they must expect both to hear of it and to smart for it. Eli's family was now nearer to God than all the families of the earth,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 2:31

Behold, the days come ,.... Or, are coming F7 באים "venientes", Montanus. ; and will quickly come, in a very little time the things, after threatened, began to take place, even in the days of Eli's sons, and the whole was accomplished in about eighty years after: that I will cut off thine arm, and the arm of thy father's house : that is, the strength of him and them, as the Targum, the strength of a man for doing business lying in his arm; meaning by it not long life, as Kimchi,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 2:31

I will cut off thine arm - I will destroy the strength, power, and influence of thy family. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 2:27-36

Impending retribution. The facts in this section are— 1 . A Divine message declares to Eli the coming doom of his house. 2 . The justice of the judgment is brought home to him by a reference to past privileges enjoyed and sins committed. 3 . A painful sign of the certainty of the whole prediction being ultimately fulfilled is given in a reference to the sudden death of his two sons, in due time to be realised. 4 . Another faithful servant of God is to be raised up to... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 2:31

I will cut off thine arm. The arm is the usual metaphor for strength. As Eli had preferred the exaltation of his sons to God's honour, he is condemned to see the strength of his house broken. Nay, more; there is not to be an "old man in his house." The young men full of energy and vigour perish by the sword; the Survivors fade away by disease. The Jews say that the house of Ithamar was peculiarly short-lived, but the prophecy was amply fulfilled in the slaughter of Eli's house, first at... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Samuel 2:31

I will cut off thine arm ... - A strong phrase for breaking down the strength and power, of which the arm is the instrument in man (compare Zechariah 11:17). See 1 Samuel 2:33. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Samuel 2:31

1 Samuel 2:31. I will cut off thine arm I will take away thy strength, or all that in which thou placest thy confidence. This threatening was fulfilled, when the ark, which is called God’s strength, (Psalms 78:61,) and was Eli’s strength, was delivered into the hands of the Philistines; and more especially when God took away all power and authority from him and his family, both as he was a priest and as he was a judge. Or, thine arm, may mean thy children, to whom the words following... 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 2:31

Behold . Figure of speech Asterismos. App-6 . arm = seed. read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - 1 Samuel 2:31

1 Samuel 2:31. I will cut off—the arm of thy father's house— i.e. The power and authority; of which the arm in Scripture is the emblem. The Chaldee renders it, I will cut off the strength of thy seed. read more

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