A Priesthood Gone Corrupt 1 Samuel 2:1-36 Message by Michael J. Barnard April 22, 2018 Teaching Aim: To recognize the stark contrast in behavior between the wicked sons of Eli and the godly young Samuel. To observe the weaknesses of Eli as a parent, even though he was Israel s High Priest and had been Israel s Judge for 40 years. To realize God will not allow sin to go unpunished and understand, It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God! DIGGING DEEPER INTO GOD S WORD (BIBLE STUDY) Part I: The wickedness of the sons of Eli (1 Sam. 2:12-17) 1. How does the Bible describe Eli s sons in verse 12? What were Hophni and Phinehas profession (vs. 13)? What startling news is revealed about the two in verse 12b? Do people still serve in ministry today who are unqualified and don t know the LORD? What makes this especially dangerous? 2. Under Old Testament Law, God graciously provided food for the priests and their families from the sacrifices that were offered at the tabernacle. (See Deut. 18:1-5) According to verses 13 & 14, what did Hophni and Phinehas require their servants to do? What made this act particularly heinous (vs. 15)? (See Lev. 3:3,5) 3. Who had a closer relationship with the LORD according to verse 16, the priests or the common worshipers? What can we learn about the state of the priesthood in the days of the Judges from verse 16? (See Judg. 21:25) How did the LORD feel about Hophni and Phinehas actions (vs. 17)? 4. Hophni and Phinehas had no fear of the LORD; we see the same from many in clergy today. What concerns do you have about much of the modern church? What can we learn from Scriptures like Heb. 10:31 and Mark 10:44-45? 1
Part II: A godly young priest comes on the scene (1 Sam. 2:18-21) 1. In verse 18 we return to the narrative about Samuel, the godly young priest. Samuel s life and ministry are in stark contrast with that of Eli s sons. What do we learn about this young boy from verse 18? What did Samuel s mother do for him each year as he served the LORD at the Tabernacle in Shiloh (vs. 19)? Why do you think Hannah did this? What kind of robe should we as Christian priests be wearing today? (See Isa. 61:10; 2 Cor. 5:21) 2. When Samuel was about 2 years old, Hannah brought the toddler Samuel to begin serving at the Tabernacle. What did Eli call this act of devotion in verse 20? (See 1 Sam. 1:27-28) What did Eli do for Elkanah and Hannah as a result of the fulfillment of their vow? 3. How did the LORD respond to the devotion of Samuel s parents, coupled with the prayers of Israel s High Priest Eli (vs. 21)? Elkanah and Hannah loaned one child to the LORD, how many children did the LORD give them back? Does God still bless us when we offer Him things that are precious to us today? What are some ways God has blessed you as you ve trusted Him? Part III: Prophecy against Eli and his household (1 Sam. 2:22-36) 1. We now return in the narrative to the wickedness of Eli and his sons (vs. 22)? What do we learn about Eli from this verse? How old was he? (See 1 Sam. 4:15) What alarming news was delivered to Eli in verse 22? How did he respond to this news (vv. 23-24)? 2. Sin is especially serious when it comes from religious leadership. Why? What can we learn from the lips of Jesus about people who make others stumble? (See Mark 9:42-43) As a parent, Eli gave his boys a word of caution and a slap on the hands (vv. 23-24). What should he have done as Israel s spiritual leader and High Priest? (See Lev. 24:10-16) What can we learn about unintentional and presumptuous sin from Num. 15:22-31? Was the sin of Hophni and Phinehas intentional or unintentional? 2
3. What additional warning did Eli give to his sons in verse 25? How does verse 25 still apply to us today? 4. What can we learn about Samuel from verse 26? In stark contrast to Eli s wicked sons, who can the young Samuel be compared to? (See Luke 2:52) If you were to measure your spiritual walk on a scale of 1-10 with Eli s sons being a 1 and Jesus being a 10, which side are you closer to? What are some steps that you can take to be more like Jesus? 5. Who was the unnamed man that came to Eli in verse 27? The term man of God is used over 70x in Scripture. Who is the term speaking of in this case? (See Commentaries) What proclamation did this prophet of God make to Eli in verses 27 & 28? What special function had God given to Aaron and his descendants? 6. According to verse 28, what 4 privileges had the priests received from God? In light of these special privileges, what did the LORD ask Eli in verse 29a? According to verse 29b, did Eli put God above his sons or did he put his sons above God? Was it just Eli s sons who had indulged in the best of the offerings, or had Eli joined them in their sin and gluttony? (See 1 Sam. 4:17-18) 7. In Christian circles today, the Church tends to have acceptable sins and unacceptable sins? What kind of sins do you think would be included in both groups today? Why is it that most Christians don t consider overeating a sin, yet many believe other Christians drinking a glass of wine is? (See 1 Sam. 18; John 2:1-10) What acceptable sins should be unacceptable today? 8. What was Eli s biggest weakness as a parent? What have you found to be your biggest weaknesses as a parent? What steps can you take to improve your parenting skills? 3
9. What would happen because of Eli and his sons lack of honor towards the LORD (vs. 30)? Have you ever failed to honor God in a particular area of your life? In what way? How severe would God s judgment be on Eli s household because of this lack of honor and respect (vs. 31)? How would this prophecy be fulfilled? (See 1 Sam. 4:18; 22:17-19; 1 Kin. 2:26-27) 10. Sin always brings consequences. How do we see the sin of Eli and his sons affecting many others (vs. 32)? Has someone else s sin ever affected you? In what way? 11. What horrible news did the prophet of God bring to Eli in verse 33? How difficult would this be for Eli s extended family members? What sign would prove that what the prophet said was true? 12. Since Eli didn t take care of the problem and execute his sons, God did. (See 1 Sam. 4:10-11) What further step would God take to correct the problem of corruption in the priesthood (vs. 35)? Some believed the faithful priest would be Samuel; why couldn t this be? Many other people believe the faithful priest would be Zadok. Why do many hold to this theory? What is the significance of Zadok s mention in Ezek. 44:15 and 48:11? Who is the most likely candidate to be the faithful priest forever? (See Heb. 4:14-16) 13. Hophni and Phinehas had indulged themselves on the LORD s offerings; this was a form of gluttony and greed. According to verse 36, what penalty would their descendants have to pay as a result of their sin? Once removed, the descendants of Eli would realize how good they had it in the priesthood and want back in, just so they could eat. Have you ever taken for granted something God has blessed you with only to lose it? 14. The clergy had gone corrupt in the days of the Judges. What is our surest protection from corrupt clergy today? (See 2 Tim. 3:16-17) 4
MINER S CORNER ~ Manna to live by! Having a priestly title doesn t insure that a person is saved; the way they live their lives and a personal relationship with Christ does! God is holy; he requires holiness from those who claim to follow Him! It may look like we are getting away with our sin, but rest assured, our sin will find us out! Poor parenting brings long lasting consequences! As Christians, we are to honor God above our own family members! As soon as we realize we have sinned, we should turn to God in repentance! (1 John 1:9) God has raised up a faithful priest forever in the person of Jesus Christ! 5