Now the sons of Eli were sons of Belial; they knew not the LORD.
Read it in contextEli’s Wicked Sons
Start reading at 1 Samuel 2:12 (1 Samuel 2:12 to 1 Samuel 2:26).
An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
Samuel's upbringing and calling stand beside the failures of Eli's house and the ark narrative, leading to Israel's return to the LORD.
2:12Now the sons of Eli were sons of Belial; they knew not the LORD.
2:13And the priests' custom with the people was, that, when any man offered sacrifice, the priest's servant came, while the flesh was in seething, with a fleshhook of three teeth in his hand;
2:14And he struck it into the pan, or kettle, or caldron, or pot; all that the fleshhook brought up the priest took for himself. So they did in Shiloh unto all the Israelites that came thither.
2:15Also before they burnt the fat, the priest's servant came, and said to the man that sacrificed, Give flesh to roast for the priest; for he will not have sodden flesh of thee, but raw.
2:16And if any man said unto him, Let them not fail to burn the fat presently, and then take as much as thy soul desireth; then he would answer him, Nay; but thou shalt give it me now: and if not, I will take it by force.
2:17Wherefore the sin of the young men was very great before the LORD: for men abhorred the offering of the LORD.
2:18But Samuel ministered before the LORD, being a child, girded with a linen ephod.
2:19Moreover 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.
2:20And Eli blessed Elkanah and his wife, and said, The LORD give thee seed of this woman for the loan which is lent to the LORD. And they went unto their own home.
2:21And the LORD visited Hannah, so that she conceived, and bare three sons and two daughters. And the child Samuel grew before the LORD.
2:22Now 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.
2:23And he said unto them, Why do ye such things? for I hear of your evil dealings by all this people.
2:24Nay, my sons; for it is no good report that I hear: ye make the LORD's people to transgress.
2:25If 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.
2:26And the child Samuel grew on, and was in favour both with the LORD, and also with men.
Study content, not yet reviewed.
Who
Who wrote the book? Tradition associates Samuel with the earlier material and Nathan and Gad with its continuation. Samuel dies during the narrative, so he did not write the complete account; the final compiler is unknown. Biblical references: 1 Samuel 25:1; 1 Chronicles 29:29. Historical source: Babylonian Talmud, Bava Batra 14b–15a (record of Jewish attribution, not contemporary proof). traditionally held
Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (1 Samuel 1:1–3:21): Elkanah's household, Hannah, Samuel, Eli, and Eli's sons are central to the sanctuary narratives. The LORD calls Samuel personally; Samuel conveys the message to Eli. stated in the text
Who was the book written to? Israelite readers considering the rise of the monarchy and the transition from Saul to David. A more exact first readership cannot be established. Biblical references: 1 Samuel 8:4; 1 Samuel 16:13; 1 Samuel 31:6. book background
What
What is the topic of this reading unit? Eli’s Wicked Sons. Read 1 Samuel 2:12 through 1 Samuel 2:26 as a connected unit. interpretation
How does it contribute to the book? Samuel's upbringing and calling stand beside the failures of Eli's house and the ark narrative, leading to Israel's return to the LORD. interpretation
When
When are the events or message set? The narrative spans Samuel's upbringing, Israel's request for a king, Saul's reign, and David's emergence before Saul's death. book background
Where
What is the book’s geographic setting? Events occur at Shiloh, among Israel's towns, in Philistine territory, and in places of David's flight. The chapter identifies the immediate setting. book background
Where does the context start?
This passage sits in Eli’s Wicked Sons (1 Samuel 2:12 to 1 Samuel 2:26).
Start reading at 1 Samuel 2:12. An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
How
How does this book connect with Jesus Christ? Acts 13 connects Samuel, Saul, and David with the subsequent coming of Jesus from David's seed. David's anointing belongs to that historical line; it does not turn every conflict into a direct messianic prediction. See Acts 13:20, Acts 13:21, Acts 13:22, Acts 13:23. interpretation
How should this book guide our response? Evaluate leadership by hearing and obeying God rather than appearance or initial success. David's restraint toward Saul can be considered with its narrated reasons rather than generalized into approval of wrongdoing by leaders. interpretation
Cited: 1 Samuel 2:12, 1 Samuel 2:26, Acts 13:20, Acts 13:21, Acts 13:22, Acts 13:23
Who wrote it, and how we know
Samuel, with Nathan and Gad (traditional)From early tradition
What Scripture saysThe book does not name its author. Chronicles refers to written records of Samuel, Nathan, and Gad. 1 Chronicles 29:29
Early traditionJewish tradition credits Samuel, with Nathan and Gad continuing after his death.
What is debatedSamuel dies partway through the account, so he cannot have written all of it. The final form is later.
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
Macro-Structure of 1 Samuel 2
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
First Samuel follows the transition from the judges to kingship and the rise of David during Saul's reign. It records Samuel's death before the book ends; attributing every line to Samuel would therefore exceed the narrative's evidence. Local headings and stanza divisions are editorial reading aids adapted from public-domain BSB headings; verse boundaries and Scripture links use the KJV. Connections describe the surrounding book movement.
Connection to the wholeThis opening unit introduces the chapter’s movement. Samuel's upbringing and calling stand beside the failures of Eli's house and the ark narrative, leading to Israel's return to the LORD.
Connection to the wholeSamuel's upbringing and calling stand beside the failures of Eli's house and the ark narrative, leading to Israel's return to the LORD.
Connection to the wholeThis unit closes the chapter’s selected reading divisions. Samuel's upbringing and calling stand beside the failures of Eli's house and the ark narrative, leading to Israel's return to the LORD.
interpretation
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Macro-Structure of 1 Samuel
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
First Samuel follows the transition from the judges to kingship and the rise of David during Saul's reign. It records Samuel's death before the book ends; attributing every line to Samuel would therefore exceed the narrative's evidence.
Connection to the wholeSamuel's upbringing and calling stand beside the failures of Eli's house and the ark narrative, leading to Israel's return to the LORD.
Connection to the wholeThe establishment of kingship is followed by Saul's failures, and the LORD's rejection of his kingship prepares the choice of David.