1 Samuel 2:22

ELI WAS UNWILLING OR UNABLE TO CORRECT HIS SONS

"Now Eli was very old, and heard all that his sons were doing to all Israel, and how they lay with the women who served at the entrance to the tent of meeting. And he said to them, "Why do you do such things? For I hear of your evil dealings from all the people. No, my sons; it is no good report that I hear the people of the Lord spreading about. If a man sins against a man, God will mediate for him; but if a man sins against the Lord, who can intercede for him"? But they would not listen to the voice of their father; for it was the will of the Lord to slay them."

With regard to whether or not Eli was able to control his sons, it is likely that, in his advanced age, control would have been impossible, and yet, when the unnamed prophet came and pronounced judgment against him, it was evident that there was indeed some element of blame on Eli's part. Porter commented that, "The indignation of Eli at this point was ineffectual following a lifetime of disciplinary inaction."[18]

Of course, the result of Eli's son's wickedness was a widespread public scandal that was disastrous in its effect upon God's people.

"At the entrance to the tent of meeting." It should be noted that the words "temple" (1 Samuel 1:9) and "tent of meeting" (1 Samuel 2:22) are used interchangeably in this part of 1Samuel. The temple of Solomon was not constructed until long afterward; nevertheless, the tabernacle was often called "the temple."

For it was the will of the Lord to slay them. Keil pointed out that, "This means that Hophni and Phinehas were already given up to the judgment of hardening."[19]