1 Samuel 2:35

And I will raise me up a faithful priest, [that] shall do according to [that] which [is] in mine heart and in my mind: and I will build him a sure house; and he shall walk before mine anointed for ever.

And I will raise me up {H6965} a faithful {H539} priest {H3548}, that shall do {H6213} according to that which is in mine heart {H3824} and in my mind {H5315}: and I will build {H1129} him a sure {H539} house {H1004}; and he shall walk {H1980} before {H6440} mine anointed {H4899} for ever {H3117}.

I will raise up for myself a faithful cohen who will do what I want and what I intend. I will make his family faithful, and he will serve in the presence of my anointed one forever.

Then I will raise up for Myself a faithful priest. He will do whatever is in My heart and mind. And I will build for him an enduring house, and he will walk before My anointed one for all time.

And I will raise me up a faithful priest, that shall do according to that which is in my heart and in my mind: and I will build him a sure house; and he shall walk before mine anointed for ever.

Commentary

This powerful verse from 1 Samuel 2:35 is a divine prophecy delivered by a "man of God" to Eli, the high priest, announcing the impending judgment upon his corrupt house and the establishment of a new, faithful priesthood. It speaks to God's unwavering commitment to His divine will and the integrity of His service.

Context

The immediate backdrop to this prophecy is the severe moral decay and spiritual corruption within the priesthood under Eli's sons, Hophni and Phinehas. They were profaning the sacrifices and despising the Lord's offerings, leading to God's pronounced judgment against Eli's lineage (see 1 Samuel 2:27-34). Verse 35 offers a stark contrast to this corruption, presenting God's solution and His sovereign plan for a righteous and enduring priestly service. This promise highlights God's principle of honoring those who honor Him and despising those who dishonor Him.

Key Themes

  • Divine Judgment and Restoration: The verse signifies God's justice in removing a disobedient and profane priesthood, while simultaneously revealing His grace and faithfulness in raising up a new, righteous one. It's a testament to God's active involvement in the affairs of His people.
  • Faithful Priesthood: The core of the promise is a "faithful priest" who will act "according to that which is in mine heart and in my mind." This emphasizes obedience, alignment with God's perfect will, and a deep understanding of His divine purpose, contrasting sharply with the self-serving actions of Eli's sons. Historically, this promise saw a partial fulfillment in Zadok, who succeeded Abiathar (a descendant of Eli) as high priest during King Solomon's reign (1 Kings 2:35).
  • A "Sure House": God promises to "build him a sure house," indicating a lasting, stable, and divinely sanctioned lineage for this faithful priest. This echoes the concept of a covenantal promise of permanence, similar to the 'sure house' promised to King David, signifying an enduring legacy and divine blessing.
  • Messianic Foreshadowing: The phrase "he shall walk before mine anointed for ever" holds profound prophetic significance. "Mine anointed" (Hebrew: Mashiach) refers to God's chosen king, ultimately pointing to Jesus Christ, the Messiah. The faithful priest would serve in the presence and under the authority of God's true King. This verse ultimately finds its complete and eternal fulfillment in Jesus Christ, who is both our eternal High Priest and the Anointed King (Hebrews 4:14).

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "anointed" is mashiach (ΧžΦΈΧ©Φ΄ΧΧ™Χ—Φ·), from which we get the English word "Messiah." While in the Old Testament it frequently refers to kings (like Saul and David) and priests, its ultimate theological significance points to the coming Savior, Jesus Christ. The promise that the faithful priest would "walk before mine anointed for ever" suggests a perpetual service in the presence of God's chosen king, a concept fully realized in the relationship between Christ and His redeemed.

Practical Application

This verse offers several timeless lessons:

  1. God Values Faithfulness: Despite widespread corruption, God always seeks out and honors those who are truly faithful and obedient to His heart and mind. Our actions, especially in service, should align with His will, not our own desires or worldly pressures.
  2. God's Sovereignty in Judgment and Restoration: Even when human leadership fails, God remains sovereign. He is capable of removing the unfaithful and raising up new, righteous instruments to accomplish His purposes.
  3. Hope in Christ: Ultimately, this prophecy directs our gaze to Jesus Christ, the perfect and faithful High Priest who offered Himself once for all. Through Him, we have access to God and the promise of an eternal "sure house" in His kingdom, serving before the true Anointed One forever.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

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

Cross-References

  • 2 Samuel 7:27 (11 votes)

    For thou, O LORD of hosts, God of Israel, hast revealed to thy servant, saying, I will build thee an house: therefore hath thy servant found in his heart to pray this prayer unto thee.

  • 2 Samuel 7:11 (7 votes)

    And as since the time that I commanded judges [to be] over my people Israel, and have caused thee to rest from all thine enemies. Also the LORD telleth thee that he will make thee an house.

  • 1 Kings 11:38 (7 votes)

    And it shall be, if thou wilt hearken unto all that I command thee, and wilt walk in my ways, and do [that is] right in my sight, to keep my statutes and my commandments, as David my servant did; that I will be with thee, and build thee a sure house, as I built for David, and will give Israel unto thee.

  • 1 Samuel 25:28 (5 votes)

    I pray thee, forgive the trespass of thine handmaid: for the LORD will certainly make my lord a sure house; because my lord fighteth the battles of the LORD, and evil hath not been found in thee [all] thy days.

  • Psalms 18:50 (3 votes)

    Great deliverance giveth he to his king; and sheweth mercy to his anointed, to David, and to his seed for evermore.

  • Hebrews 7:26 (3 votes)

    For such an high priest became us, [who is] holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;

  • Hebrews 7:28 (3 votes)

    For the law maketh men high priests which have infirmity; but the word of the oath, which was since the law, [maketh] the Son, who is consecrated for evermore.