Before king was established in Israel, Eli was the leader of the Israelites as the high priest and he had two sons, Hophni and Phinehas. The two sons, too, held the title of priest, following their father. However, they dared to treat God’s offering with contempt by taking the meat even before offering the sacrifice to God. The rumor about the two sons, who forgot their positions as priest and did all evil, spread throughout Israel.
Hearing that, Eli earnestly said to his sons, “My sons, stop the wicked deeds of yours. If a man sins against another man, God may mediate for him; but if a man sins against the LORD, who will intercede for him?” His sons, however, neither regretted their faults nor turned from their wickedness. They ignored the constant warnings of God and did not throw away their evil deeds. Finally, the two wicked sons of Eli died on the same day. On the contrary, to Samuel who feared God with all his heart, the heaven’s mission was given as the last judge of Israel.
Actually, Samuel the priest, who anointed David king later, was not born of a priest family. Samuel was a man given to God as his mother Hannah made a vow. If then, why wasn’t the grace of God given to the two sons of Eli as it was to Samuel? The fact alone that they were born of the family of the high priest who was anointed with the holy oil was enough for them to receive God’s blessing. Despite that, they were destroyed because they did not fear God and piled up their sins.
No matter what a blessed position a man may be situated in, if he does not fear God but despise Him, his blessing can be taken away any time.
“Those who honor me I will honor, but those who despise me will be disdained.”
God will treat us according to His principle.