1 Samuel 2:23

And he said unto them, Why do ye such things? for I hear of your evil dealings by all this people.

And he said {H559} unto them, Why do {H6213} ye such things {H1697}? for I hear {H8085} of your evil {H7451} dealings {H1697} by all this people {H5971}.

He asked them, "Why are you doing things like this? I am hearing bad reports about you from all these people.

“Why are you doing these things?” Eli said to his sons. “I hear about your wicked deeds from all these people.

And he said unto them, Why do ye such things? for I hear of your evil dealings from all this people.

Commentary

Context

This verse introduces the weak and belated rebuke from Eli, the high priest of Israel, to his two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, who were also serving as priests at the tabernacle in Shiloh. Prior to this, the narrative in 1 Samuel 2:12-17 details their egregious sins: they treated the Lord's sacrifices with contempt, taking the best portions for themselves before it was offered to God, and engaged in sexual immorality with women serving at the tabernacle entrance. Eli's question, "Why do ye such things?", reveals that their misconduct was not secret but was widely known and caused significant scandal among "all this people" – the Israelites who came to worship.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Corruption in Spiritual Leadership: The primary theme is the severe moral and spiritual decay within the priestly family. Hophni and Phinehas abused their sacred office for personal gain and pleasure, desecrating the very rituals intended to bring people closer to God. This illustrates the dangers of unchecked power and a lack of reverence for divine institutions.
  • Parental Responsibility and Failure: Eli's rebuke, while acknowledging the widespread complaints, is notably mild and ineffective, especially given the gravity of his sons' sins. This verse highlights Eli's failure to adequately discipline and restrain his sons, a critical neglect that later led to severe divine judgment upon his household, as prophesied in 1 Samuel 3:13.
  • Public Knowledge of Sin: The phrase "I hear of your evil dealings by all this people" underscores that the sons' wickedness was not a private matter but a public scandal. This exposed the tabernacle to disrepute and potentially caused many to stumble in their faith, reflecting a significant crisis in Israel's spiritual life.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew term for "evil dealings" (ra'ah) is a broad word often translated as "evil," "wickedness," or "calamity." Here, it encompasses not just their specific acts of theft and immorality, but the overall destructive and morally corrupt nature of their conduct, which was bringing harm to the community and dishonor to God. Eli's "Why do ye such things?" (Lammah ta'asoon) is a question of inquiry rather than a strong command or firm rebuke, indicating his passive approach to their serious transgressions.

Practical Application

This verse serves as a sober reminder of the immense responsibility that comes with leadership, particularly in spiritual roles. It emphasizes the importance of:

  • Integrity in Ministry: Those who serve God must do so with integrity and reverence, understanding that their actions impact not only themselves but also the faith of others. The corruption of spiritual leaders can lead many astray.
  • Accountability and Discipline: Sin, especially in leadership, must be addressed firmly and promptly. Unchecked misconduct can fester and bring widespread shame and judgment.
  • Parental Diligence: Parents have a profound responsibility to guide and discipline their children, ensuring they are raised in the fear of the Lord. Eli's leniency had devastating consequences for his family and for Israel.
  • The Public Nature of Righteousness: Our actions, especially those of believers, are often observed by "all this people." Living righteously brings glory to God, while unrighteousness can cause His name to be blasphemed among those outside the faith.
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Cross-References

  • Acts 9:4 (2 votes)

    And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?

  • 1 Kings 1:6 (2 votes)

    And his father had not displeased him at any time in saying, Why hast thou done so? and he also [was a] very goodly [man]; and [his mother] bare him after Absalom.

  • Jeremiah 8:12 (2 votes)

    Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? nay, they were not at all ashamed, neither could they blush: therefore shall they fall among them that fall: in the time of their visitation they shall be cast down, saith the LORD.

  • Jeremiah 3:3 (2 votes)

    Therefore the showers have been withholden, and there hath been no latter rain; and thou hadst a whore's forehead, thou refusedst to be ashamed.

  • Acts 14:15 (2 votes)

    And saying, Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities unto the living God, which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein:

  • Isaiah 3:9 (2 votes)

    ¶ The shew of their countenance doth witness against them; and they declare their sin as Sodom, they hide [it] not. Woe unto their soul! for they have rewarded evil unto themselves.

  • Philippians 3:19 (2 votes)

    Whose end [is] destruction, whose God [is their] belly, and [whose] glory [is] in their shame, who mind earthly things.)