January 14 - Eli

January 14 - Eli

Eli is well-known for the young men in his life.  He is the high priest to whom Hannah brought her son, Samuel, dedicating him to the service of the Lord.

He is also the father of Hophni and Phinehas.

“Eli’s sons were wicked men; they had no regard for the Lord.” (1 Samuel 2:12)

These two young men were thieves – stealing the food of the sacrifice, there was sexual immorality and no matter what Eli said to them, they refused to change their ways.  Finally, Eli was told that they would die on the same day and that the promised priesthood for his lineage was coming to an end.

All of this evil in Eli’s life was contrasted with the growth of Samuel.

“This sin of the young men (Hophni and Phinehas) was very great in the Lord’s sight, for they were treating the Lord’s offering with contempt.  But Samuel was ministering before the Lord – a boy wearing a linen ephod (in other words, no finery … very simple). Each year his mother made him a little robe and took it to him when she went up with her husband to offer the annual sacrifice.” (1 Samuel 2:17-19)

The Philistines captured the Ark of the Covenant during a battle with the Israelites.  Hophni and Phinehas were there with the Ark when it was brought out from Shiloh to offer strength to the Israelites.  But, the Philistines were too much for them and the defeated the Israelites, the ark was captured and Hophni and Phinehas died.

Word was brought to Eli that his sons had died and the ark had been captured.  It was the last bit of news that caused him to fall out of his chair, break his neck and die.  Phinehas’ wife was pregnant and at the same time, died giving birth to a son whom she named Ichabod, meaning ‘The glory has departed from Israel’ since the ark had been captured.