1Sa 2:12-25 | TNotes | STEP | 2:12 scoundrels (Hebrew sons of Belial ): See study note on 1:16. • had no respect for (literally did not know ) the Lord : Although they were priests among God’s people, they did not acknowledge God or seek to abide by his will (cp. Jer 2:8 ).

2:12 ^a scoundrels (Hebrew sons of Belial): See study note on 1:16.

• had no respect for (literally did not know) the Lord: Although they were priests among God’s people, they did not acknowledge God or seek to abide by his will (cp. Jer 2:8 ^b).
Summary for 1Sam 2:13-17: 2:13-17 ^c The priests were supposed to receive their portion of the meat only after it had been boiled (see Num 6:19 ^d). Eli’s sons disregarded God’s instructions (1 Sam 2:13-14 ^e, 17 ^f).
2:15 ^g God’s law stipulated that the sacrificial animal’s fat was the Lord’s portion and had to be burned on the altar first (Lev 3:3-17 ^h).
2:18 ⁱ The clause Samuel ... served the Lord describes the ritual service of Levites and priests (see, e.g., Num 3:4 ^j; 8:19 ^k, 24 ^l; Deut 18:7 ^m). Like Eli’s sons, Samuel was a Levite (see study note on 1 Sam 1:1). But unlike Eli’s sons, he lived up to his calling.

• He wore a linen garment like that of a priest, as did the priests who ministered in the sanctuary (see study note on 22:18).
2:20 ⁿ Eli would bless: Blessing was one of the functions of a priest (Num 6:23-27 ^o; Deut 10:8 ^p; 1 Chr 23:13 ^q). See study note on 1 Sam 1:17-18.
Summary for 1Sam 2:22-25: 2:22-25 ^r Eli’s weak attempts to change his sons’ behavior (cp. 2:29 ^s) indicate that he had raised them without discipline (3:13 ^t). 2:22 ^u seducing ... women: Eli’s sons had probably been influenced by Canaanite religious practices, which included sex as part of the ritual.

• who assisted at the entrance: See Exod 38:8 ^v.
2:25 ^w God (or the judges; Hebrew ’elohim): The Hebrew verb translated mediate is plural here, and when ’elohim means “God,” it often appears with a singular verb. In addition, some ancient translations render ’elohim as “judges” here. If that is the correct translation, then the judges would mediate for the guilty party in a common human court. However, many Hebrew scholars believe that ’elohim should never be translated “judges.” If this is the case, in what sense could God mediate for the guilty party? Possibly Eli considered the court verdict to come directly from God. God might work through his revealed law or other circumstances to either acquit or convict an individual charged with wrongdoing. Or Eli might have been referring to the sacrificial system.

• The sexual immorality (2:22 ^x) and gluttony (2:12-17 ^y) of Eli’s sons were sins against the Lord because they were corrupting Israel’s worship of him. No one can intercede for sinners who rebel so completely against God’s will (cp. Matt 12:31 ^z).

• Eli’s sons did not listen to their father because the Lord had already begun to punish them by hardening their hearts (cp. Exod 4:21 ^aa; 7:3 ^ab; 8:15-32 ^ac; 10:27 ^ad; 11:10 ^ae).