The physical blindness of Eli was simply a factor of old age (he was 98) – the fact that he still functioned as a priest reflects the spiritual apathy of the nation, a sad condition further shown in the toleration of Eli’s two worthless sons. Their cupidity, profanity and open immorality demanded discipline. Eli’s ineffectual remonstrance, ‘Why do ye such things?’ is clearly inadequate when sin against the Lord is involved and shows his weakness both as a parent and a priest. What was required was action to vindicate the holiness of the Lord. The New Testament is clear about the need and value of parental discipline, Eph. 6. 4, and of congregational discipline, 1 Cor. 5. 1-5; failure in either area brings its own sad consequences – one privately, the other publicly. Eli’s sons are a solemn illustration in both areas. They brought pain to Eli (personal) and punishment on the nation (congregational).
Eli failed as a parent in the family and a priest in the nation because of his family. Even after sentence is pronounced by the man of God, 2. 26-36, and the further judgment given through Samuel, 3. 1-18, he seems to have made no real effort to restrain his sons. The national challenge to the Philistines at this time shows that Israel did not realize their spiritual condition. After the first defeat the bringing of the ark of God into the camp savours more of superstitious symbolism than an understanding of divine presence. The shout was an attempt to mechanically recall the glorious past; cf. Josh. 6. 16. The terrible defeat of the nation, the death of Hophni and Phinehas, and the capture of the ark by the Philistines is the sad result of departure from God by both priest and people. Phinehas’ wife, clearly a spiritual woman, seems to have grasped the condition and from her death-bed names her son ‘Ichabod’, meaning, ‘The Glory is departed’.
Since Eli failed to restrain his family, the charge is that he honoured them above the Lord. He stands as a terrible illustration of the words of a man of God, ‘They that despise me shall be lightly esteemed’, in contrast with Hannah who honoured the Lord in her giving up of Samuel.
