1 Samuel 2:24

Nay, my sons; for [it is] no good report that I hear: ye make the LORD'S people to transgress.

Nay, my sons {H1121}; for it is no good {H2896} report {H8052} that I hear {H8085}: ye make the LORD'S {H3068} people {H5971} to transgress {H5674}.

No, my sons, I don't hear ADONAI's people spreading a single good report!

No, my sons; it is not a good report I hear circulating among the LORD’s people.

Nay, my sons; for it is no good report that I hear: ye make Jehovah’s people to transgress.

Commentary

In 1 Samuel 2:24, we hear the words of Eli, the aged high priest, as he confronts his corrupt sons, Hophni and Phinehas. This verse captures Eli's acknowledgment of the widespread negative reputation his sons had earned due to their egregious sins as priests of the Lord.

Context

Eli's sons, Hophni and Phinehas, served as priests at the tabernacle in Shiloh, a central place of worship for Israel. However, their conduct was far from righteous. They were abusing their priestly privileges by taking more than their rightful share of the sacrifices and engaging in immoral behavior with the women who served at the tabernacle entrance. Their actions were not secret; the "report" Eli hears is a testament to their public wickedness and the scandal they brought upon the priesthood. This verse is part of Eli's weak and belated attempt to rebuke them, highlighting his failure to restrain his sons, a failure that would ultimately lead to divine judgment upon his household, as foreshadowed in 1 Samuel 2:30.

Key Themes

  • Corrupt Leadership: The verse powerfully illustrates the devastating impact of ungodly leaders, particularly those in spiritual roles. Eli's sons, by their actions, not only sinned themselves but also led others into sin by causing them to despise the Lord's offerings (1 Samuel 2:17).
  • The Stumbling Block: The core charge against Hophni and Phinehas is that they "make the LORD'S people to transgress." This highlights the profound responsibility of those in positions of influence to live righteously, lest their ungodly behavior cause others to stumble in their faith or lose reverence for God.
  • Accountability and Consequences: Eli's rebuke, though insufficient, underscores the principle that sin, especially by leaders, has public consequences. This passage sets the stage for the severe judgment God would bring upon Eli's house for his failure to restrain his sons (1 Samuel 3:13).

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "no good report" translates from the Hebrew sh'mu'ah ra'ah (שְׁמֻעָה רָעָה), meaning "bad rumor" or "evil report." This emphasizes that their wickedness was not secret but a widely known scandal, bringing disrepute upon the priesthood and God's holy name. The KJV's "ye make the LORD'S people to transgress" uses a Hebrew causative verb, indicating that Eli's sons were not merely sinning, but actively *causing* or *leading* others to sin by their corrupt example and actions. Their behavior directly undermined the people's reverence for God and His holy ordinances.

Practical Application

This verse serves as a powerful warning about the profound impact of leadership, particularly in spiritual matters. Those who represent God must live with integrity, as their actions can either draw people closer to God or drive them away. It highlights the importance of not being a "stumbling block" to others. Our conduct, whether public or private, has ripple effects. As believers, we are called to live in a way that encourages faith and obedience, not discourages it, reflecting the principle found in Romans 14:13. The passage also implicitly calls parents and mentors to actively guide and discipline those under their care, as Eli's failure to do so led to disastrous consequences for his family and the nation.

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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Exodus 32:21 (2 votes)

    ¶ And Moses said unto Aaron, What did this people unto thee, that thou hast brought so great a sin upon them?

  • 1 Samuel 2:17 (2 votes)

    Wherefore the sin of the young men was very great before the LORD: for men abhorred the offering of the LORD.

  • 2 Peter 2:18 (2 votes)

    For when they speak great swelling [words] of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, [through much] wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error.

  • Malachi 2:8 (2 votes)

    But ye are departed out of the way; ye have caused many to stumble at the law; ye have corrupted the covenant of Levi, saith the LORD of hosts.

  • 1 Timothy 3:7 (2 votes)

    Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.

  • 1 Kings 15:30 (2 votes)

    Because of the sins of Jeroboam which he sinned, and which he made Israel sin, by his provocation wherewith he provoked the LORD God of Israel to anger.

  • 2 Corinthians 6:8 (2 votes)

    By honour and dishonour, by evil report and good report: as deceivers, and [yet] true;