1 Samuel 2

Eli and His Sons 

Eli's sons are incorrigible. They do not administer their priestly responsibilities in the manner commanded in the law. They commit other sins as well (verse 22), and cause the Israelites to sin (verse 24). The people even begin to despise God's offerings—to hate coming to Shiloh for the Passover or for a voluntary sacrifice (verse 17). God sends a prophet to Eli to pronounce judgment on him for allowing these sons to continue to serve as priests. The judgment is severe, and involves the eventual end of Eli's descendants serving as priests.

In verse 35, God says: "I will raise up for Myself a faithful priest who shall do according to what is in My heart and in My mind. I will build him a sure house, and he shall walk before My anointed forever." Samuel was not that replacement, as he was not of the priestly line and his sons did not continue in his role. Eli's descendants retained the high priesthood for a few more generations until Solomon sent Abiathar, a descendant of Eli, into forced retirement (1 Kings 2:26-27). Then Zadok took over any duties Abiathar had (1 Kings 2:35), and, from that point on, the high priest was reckoned through the line of Zadok. It is evident from the prophecy of Ezekiel that the Zadokite priesthood was faithful to God, and the time will come when all earthly priests will be descendants of Zadok, not just Aaron (see Ezekiel 43:19; 44:15ff; 48:11).

Although Hannah brought her son a new robe every year at the Passover (verse 19), it is probable that she saw him more often than that since her hometown of Ramah was only 15 miles south of the tabernacle in Shiloh. Nevertheless, she was undoubtedly kept very busy taking care of Samuel's five younger brothers and sisters (verse 21).