They that were full have hired out themselves for bread; And they that were hungry ceased: So that the barren hath born seven; And she that hath many children is waxed feeble.
1 Samuel 2:5 KJV COMMENTARY https://bible.com/bible/1/1sa.2.5.KJV
She was already prophesying about her own future.
She went on to bear more children 🧒 aside Samuel though she did not know that. https://bible.com/bible/1/1sa.2.5.KJV
Now the sons of Eli were sons of Belial; they knew not the LORD.
1 Samuel 2:12 KJV COMMENTARY https://bible.com/bible/1/1sa.2.12.KJV
A very strange statement. A statement that makes you wonder how this was possible 🙆.
How could the sons of Eli, who were priests of the lord, the mediators and ones set apart to commune with the lord not know him.
What then were they doing in the Priestly office to start with.
But sadly this statement is true in the times of Eli and is true today.
Many priests and Pastors – gemeally many do called men of God do not know the lord.
The lord they serve and teach about – its a strange paradox.
Very strange indeed. https://bible.com/bible/1/1sa.2.12.KJV
Wherefore the sin of the young men was very great before the LORD: for men abhorred the offering of the LORD. 1 Samuel 2:17 KJV COMMENTARY https://bible.com/bible/1/1sa.2.17.KJV
Hmm 🤔… As I read these parts I noticed God had become very lenient at this time in his dealings with his people.
This practice would not have survived one day in the times of Moses.
It did not mean God was not to be feared 😨. For he was still God.
Indeed it is wisdom to stilk FEAR GOD the way they did in the times of Moses even if you lived in the times of Eli’s son and saw the forbearance of God.
It did not mean he had changed, indeed anytime God’s long suffering is demonstrated is for this one purpose.
2 Peter 3:9 AMP
The Lord does not delay [as though He were unable to act] and is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is [extraordinarily] patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.
Yes it is to lead to repentance.
And as we see from Eli’s story when God suffers us for long ans we don’t repent the punishment is worse.
For the sons of Aaron they were killed instantly and their generations cut off because they had no children.
For Eli and his sons they were cut off and the entire priesthood take from them.
And God watched over his word all through the descendants till he removed the priesthood from their hands and their lineage.
So their sins caused a curse 🤬 on their seed 🌱 and their living descendants.
And so now I fear 😱, in this light I fear greatly, for our generation has been given a very long leash by the lord.
And we keep praying 🙏 for mercy and extension of time ⌚.
But when the long suffering of God comes to an end,
Woe to us.
Oh lord have mercy 😢
I Samuel 2:17 NKJV
[17] Therefore the sin of the young men was very great before the Lord, for men abhorred the offering of the Lord. https://bible.com/bible/114/1sa.2.17.NKJV
But Samuel ministered before the LORD, being a child, girded with a linen ephod. Moreover his mother made him a little coat, and brought it to him from year to year, when she came up with her husband to offer the yearly sacrifice.
1 Samuel 2:18-19 KJV COMMENTARY https://bible.com/bible/1/1sa.2.18-19.KJV
In time past I used to wonder how that samuel who is from Mount 🗻 Ephraim could be allowed into the priesthood seeing he was not a levite.
But he was the first born and the levites were swapped for the first born of all Israelite because of the death of the first born sons of the Egyptians.
Long story short, Samuel was the first born and instead of a levite being swapped for him and the family paying a little token to the lord,
They chose to give him directly as promised without swapping him for levite.
And Hannah’s need fell right in line with God’s need.
The priesthood had been corrupt by Eli and his sons.
They word of the lord had become scarce in those days ans Israel 🇮🇱 was slowly moving into apostacy.
God needed a worthy example to use.
And there comes Hannah who had long for a child all this while.
Why should God give her a child 🧒 to what end, when he could have a part in her child and give her others later.
And so he waited for Hannah till she was so driven with sorrow that she was willing to give birth and give her son to the lord.
Atleast she was used to not have a child but the shame and public ridicule was something she could never get used to.
She could bargain with the lord and give her son out to the lord a loss for her but atleast no one could call her barren.
And this she did and God blessed her with some more children 🧒.
Imagine she had made this decision earlier… Then Eli’s corrupt sons would not have had such a fields day for so long.
But such is the life.
I Samuel 2:18 NKJV
[18] But Samuel ministered before the Lord, even as a child, wearing a linen ephod. https://bible.com/bible/114/1sa.2.18.NKJV
Now Eli was very old, and heard all that his sons did unto all Israel; and how they lay with the women that assembled at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.
1 Samuel 2:22 KJV COMMENTARY https://bible.com/bible/1/1sa.2.22.KJV
Now they had gotten worse.
From stealing meat 🥩 meant for the lord and now Committing whoredom right 👉 at the door 🚪 of the tabernacle.
In the very presence of God.
So it is with every corrupt practice in the lords how’s. It only leads to more and more corruption.
Before you know it, you are Committing wonderful sins you never dreamt possible by you.
So what we see today in the church ⛪ is not new.
There is nothing new under the son. https://bible.com/bible/1/1sa.2.22.KJV
If one man sin against another, the judge shall judge him: but if a man sin against the LORD, who shall intreat for him? Notwithstanding they hearkened not unto the voice of their father, because the LORD would slay them.
1 Samuel 2:25 KJV COMMENTARYhttps://bible.com/bible/1/1sa.2.25.KJV
Hmm. God cannot be mocked. They thought 💭 to mock God with their actions but God cannot be mocked.
Galatians 6:7-8 KJV
Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. [8] For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.
And they thought to be shrewd with God.
What they did not know was that God being holy is also very shrewd.
Psalm 18:26 NLT
To the pure you show yourself pure, but to the crooked you show yourself shrewd.
And this he did to the sons of Eli
Wherefore the LORD God of Israel saith, I said indeed that thy house, and the house of thy father, should walk before me for ever: but now the LORD saith, Be it far from me; for them that honour me I will honour, and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed.
1 Samuel 2:30 KJV COMMENTARYhttps://bible.com/bible/1/1sa.2.30.KJV
Oh my lord and my God. A true and just God.
I Samuel 2:30 NKJV
[30] Therefore the Lord God of Israel says: ‘I said indeed that your house and the house of your father would walk before Me forever.’ But now the Lord says: ‘Far be it from Me; for those who honor Me I will honor, and those who despise Me shall be lightly esteemed. https://bible.com/bible/1/1sa.2.30.KJV
And I will raise me up a faithful priest, that shall do according to that which is in mine heart and in my mind: and I will build him a sure house; and he shall walk before mine anointed for ever.
1 Samuel 2:35 KJV COMMENTARY https://bible.com/bible/1/1sa.2.35.KJV
His anointed, was it referencing the christ, I believe so.
The eternal God had plans to rewards Samuel’s faithful into eternity.
I Samuel 2:30 NKJV
[30] Therefore the Lord God of Israel says: ‘I said indeed that your house and the house of your father would walk before Me forever.’ But now the Lord says: ‘Far be it from Me; for those who honor Me I will honor, and those who despise Me shall be lightly esteemed. https://bible.com/bible/114/1sa.2.30.NKJV
And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left in thine house shall come and crouch to him for a piece of silver and a morsel of bread, and shall say, Put me, I pray thee, into one of the priests’ offices, that I may eat a piece of bread.
1 Samuel 2:36 KJV COMMENTARYhttps://bible.com/bible/1/1sa.2.36.KJV
A sad ending for Eli, his sons and his descendants https://bible.com/bible/1/1sa.2.36.KJV