1 Samuel 3:13

KJV

For I have told him that I will judge his house for ever for the iniquity which he knoweth; because his sons made themselves vile, and he restrained them not.

KJV (with Strong's)

For I have told {H5046} him that I will judge {H8199} his house {H1004} for {H5704} ever {H5769} for the iniquity {H5771} which he knoweth {H3045}; because his sons {H1121} made themselves vile {H7043}, and he restrained {H3543} them not.

Complete Jewish Bible

For I have told him that I will execute judgment against his family forever, because of his wickedness in not rebuking his sons, even though he knew that they had brought a curse on themselves.

Berean Standard Bible

I told him that I would judge his house forever for the iniquity of which he knows, because his sons blasphemed God and he did not restrain them.

American Standard Version

For I have told him that I will judge his house for ever, for the iniquity which he knew, because his sons did bring a curse upon themselves, and he restrained them not.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Samuel 3:13 records God's solemn declaration to young Samuel, revealing the impending and permanent judgment upon the house of Eli, the high priest. This divine decree is a direct consequence of Eli's failure to decisively restrain his sons, Hophni and Phinehas, from their egregious and contemptuous sins committed against the Lord and His worship, despite Eli's full knowledge of their wickedness. This pivotal message marks the formal inauguration of Samuel's prophetic ministry and signals the end of Eli's priestly lineage, ushering in a new era of spiritual leadership for Israel.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is the climactic pronouncement within the narrative of Samuel's prophetic call, specifically following God's repeated summons to Samuel in the night. It directly confirms and elaborates upon an earlier, anonymous prophetic word delivered to Eli in [1 Samuel 2:27-36](/1_samuel/2-27 "1 Samuel 2:27-36 - Prophecy Against Eli's House"), which foretold the downfall of his priestly line. God's decision to reveal this judgment through Samuel, rather than directly to Eli, underscores the transfer of divine favor and authority from the corrupt high priest to the budding prophet. The immediate preceding verses ([1 Samuel 3:11-12](/1_samuel/3-11 "1 Samuel 3:11-12 - God's Warning to Samuel")) emphasize the severity and finality of the judgment, stating that it would cause the ears of all who heard it to tingle, and that God would accomplish all He had spoken against Eli's house from beginning to end.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The period of the Judges, leading into the early monarchy, was characterized by spiritual and moral decline in Israel, where "everyone did what was right in his own eyes" ([Judges 21:25](/judges/21-25 "Judges 21:25 - Everyone Did What Was Right in Their Own Eyes")). Eli served as both high priest and judge at Shiloh, the central place of worship where the Tabernacle and Ark of the Covenant resided. The high priesthood was a hereditary office, passed down through Aaron's line, making Eli's failure particularly egregious as it defiled the very core of Israel's covenant relationship with God. Culturally, parental authority was paramount, and a father, especially a leader, was expected to maintain order and enforce righteousness within his household and community. Eli's sons' actions of taking sacrificial meat unlawfully, despising the Lord's offerings, and engaging in sexual immorality at the Tabernacle entrance ([1 Samuel 2:12-17](/1_samuel/2-12 "1 Samuel 2:12-17 - The Wickedness of Eli's Sons"), [1 Samuel 2:22](/1_samuel/2-22 "1 Samuel 2:22 - Immorality of Eli's Sons")) were not merely personal sins but public acts of contempt that undermined the sanctity of worship and led the people to despise the Lord's sacrifices.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in 1 Samuel and beyond. It highlights the theme of **divine judgment and justice**, emphasizing God's unwavering holiness and His intolerance for sin, particularly when it defiles sacred things and leadership. It underscores the profound **accountability of leadership**, both parental and spiritual, demonstrating that those in positions of authority are held to a higher standard and their inaction can be as culpable as direct transgression. The theme of **consequences of inaction** is central, as Eli's passive approach to his sons' wickedness leads to the downfall of his entire lineage. Furthermore, it foreshadows the **transition of spiritual authority** from a corrupt, failing system under Eli to a new, righteous leadership embodied by Samuel, preparing the way for the establishment of the monarchy and a renewed emphasis on prophetic guidance. God's declaration that Eli's house would be judged "for ever" ([1 Samuel 3:13](/1_samuel/3-13 "1 Samuel 3:13 - God's Judgment on Eli's House")) demonstrates the severity of dishonoring God, as previously stated in [1 Samuel 2:30](/1_samuel/2-30 "1 Samuel 2:30 - Those Who Honor Me I Will Honor").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Vile (Hebrew, _qalal_):** The KJV "made themselves vile" translates the Niphal participle of the Hebrew root קָלַל (_qalal_), which means "to be light," "to be trifling," or "to be despised/cursed." In the context of Eli's sons, it signifies that their actions not only brought contempt upon themselves but, more critically, they treated God and His sacred offerings with utter disrespect and disdain. They made themselves contemptible in God's eyes and brought a curse upon the holy things they handled, essentially despising the Lord.
* **Restrained them not (Hebrew, _kahah_):** The phrase "he restrained them not" comes from the Hebrew root כָּהָה (_kahah_), meaning "to be dim," "to grow faint," or "to rebuke." In this context, it implies that Eli's efforts to correct his sons were weak, ineffective, or lacked the necessary force and follow-through. While he did offer some verbal rebuke ([1 Samuel 2:23-25](/1_samuel/2-23 "1 Samuel 2:23-25 - Eli Rebukes His Sons")), it was not sufficient to compel obedience, remove them from their positions, or prevent their abuses. The emphasis is on his failure to apply decisive and authoritative discipline.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For I have told him that I will judge his house for ever"**: This clause confirms that God's judgment is not a new, impulsive decision but a fulfillment of a prior warning, specifically the prophecy delivered by the man of God in [1 Samuel 2:27-36](/1_samuel/2-27 "1 Samuel 2:27-36 - Prophecy Against Eli's House"). The phrase "for ever" emphasizes the permanence and finality of this divine decree against Eli's lineage, signifying that his priestly line would be cut off and would not endure.
* **"for the iniquity which he knoweth;"**: This highlights Eli's direct culpability. His sin was not one of ignorance but of complicity through inaction. He possessed full knowledge of his sons' wicked deeds and their contempt for God's law and sacred worship, yet he failed to take appropriate, decisive measures to stop them. His awareness of their sin makes his passivity a grave offense in God's sight.
* **"because his sons made themselves vile,"**: This part specifies the nature of the sons' sin. They engaged in actions that were not only morally corrupt but also deeply disrespectful and contemptuous towards God and the holy sacrifices. Their conduct brought disgrace upon the priesthood and the worship of Yahweh, treating sacred things as common and despised.
* **"and he restrained them not."**: This final clause pinpoints Eli's specific failure. Despite his knowledge of their vile behavior and his position of authority as both father and high priest, he did not exercise the necessary discipline or remove them from their positions of service. His lack of decisive intervention in the face of such blatant sin was a profound dereliction of his duty, which God viewed as honoring his sons more than God Himself ([1 Samuel 2:29](/1_samuel/2-29 "1 Samuel 2:29 - Eli Honored His Sons More Than God")).

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several literary devices to convey its powerful message. **Foreshadowing** is prominent, as God's declaration through Samuel confirms the impending downfall of Eli's house, which will be dramatically fulfilled later in the book (e.g., [1 Samuel 4:11](/1_samuel/4-11 "1 Samuel 4:11 - Death of Eli's Sons")). There is a strong sense of **divine speech** and **authoritative pronouncement**, as the words are directly attributed to God, lending immense weight and finality to the judgment. An element of **irony** is present: Eli, the high priest, whose very role was to uphold the sanctity and holiness of God's worship, is condemned for failing to do so within his own family, thereby defiling the sacred space and practices. The structure of the verse also presents a clear **cause-and-effect relationship**, explicitly linking Eli's inaction (effect) to his sons' vileness (cause) and ultimately to God's judgment (consequence).

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
1 Samuel 3:13 powerfully illustrates God's unyielding holiness and His demand for integrity, especially from those who represent Him. It reveals that God holds leaders, whether in the family or in the church, accountable for their stewardship of authority and their response to sin within their sphere of influence. Eli's failure demonstrates that inaction in the face of known wickedness is not neutrality but a form of complicity that dishonors God and invites divine judgment. This principle underscores that God's justice is not only for overt transgression but also for the passive neglect of duty, particularly when it compromises the purity of worship and leads others astray.

* [Deuteronomy 21:18-21](/deuteronomy/21-18 "The Rebellious Son Law")
* [Hebrews 12:7-8](/hebrews/12-7 "God's Discipline for His Children")
* [Romans 1:18](/romans/1-18 "God's Wrath Against Ungodliness")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
1 Samuel 3:13 serves as a profound warning and a call to diligent responsibility for all believers, particularly those in positions of leadership within families, churches, or communities. It compels us to examine our own lives: Are we actively confronting sin, both personally and within our spheres of influence, or are we passively allowing compromise to fester? For parents, it underscores the sacred duty to discipline and guide children in the ways of the Lord, understanding that true love involves firm boundaries and consistent correction. For spiritual leaders, it highlights the solemn obligation to uphold God's standards, maintain the sanctity of worship, and address sin decisively within the flock, remembering that God's honor is paramount. This verse reminds us that God is holy and just, and while His mercy is vast, His holiness demands accountability. Our inaction in the face of known sin can be as detrimental as active rebellion, incurring His displeasure and potentially leading to severe consequences for ourselves and those under our care.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life or influence might I be passively allowing sin to persist, rather than actively "restraining" it?**
* **How seriously do I take my responsibility to uphold God's standards in my home, church, or community?**
* **What does Eli's failure teach me about the balance between grace and discipline in raising children or leading others?**
* **How can I cultivate a greater reverence for God's holiness in my daily life and in my approach to worship?**

### FAQ
**What was the specific "iniquity" of Eli's sons that led to such severe judgment?**

Answer: Eli's sons, Hophni and Phinehas, were priests who committed egregious sins that directly defiled the worship of God and brought contempt upon His name. Specifically, they abused their priestly office by taking sacrificial portions unlawfully before they were offered to God, thereby despising the Lord's offerings ([1 Samuel 2:12-17](/1_samuel/2-12 "1 Samuel 2:12-17 - The Wickedness of Eli's Sons")). Furthermore, they engaged in sexual immorality with women who served at the entrance of the Tabernacle ([1 Samuel 2:22](/1_samuel/2-22 "1 Samuel 2:22 - Immorality of Eli's Sons")). These actions were not merely personal failings but public acts of desecration that corrupted the sacred rituals and led the people to treat the Lord's sacrifices lightly.

**Why was Eli held accountable if his sons were the ones committing the sins?**

Answer: Eli was held accountable because, as high priest and father, he had the authority and responsibility to intervene decisively, yet he failed to "restrain them not" despite his full knowledge of their wickedness. God explicitly states that Eli's house would be judged "for the iniquity which he knoweth" ([1 Samuel 3:13](/1_samuel/3-13 "1 Samuel 3:13 - God's Judgment on Eli's House")). While he offered some verbal rebuke ([1 Samuel 2:23-25](/1_samuel/2-23 "1 Samuel 2:23-25 - Eli Rebukes His Sons")), it lacked the necessary authority and follow-through to remove them from their positions or compel their obedience. God viewed his inaction as honoring his sons more than God Himself ([1 Samuel 2:29](/1_samuel/2-29 "1 Samuel 2:29 - Eli Honored His Sons More Than God")), demonstrating that a leader's failure to confront and correct sin within their sphere of influence is a grave offense.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The tragic failure of Eli, the high priest, and his sons in 1 Samuel 3:13 powerfully foreshadows the desperate need for a perfect High Priest and a righteous King. Eli's inability to "restrain" sin and his sons' contemptuous defilement of God's worship highlight humanity's inherent inability to perfectly uphold God's holy standards. In stark contrast stands Jesus Christ, our ultimate High Priest, who is "holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens" ([Hebrews 7:26](/hebrews/7-26 "Hebrews 7:26 - Jesus, a Holy High Priest")). Unlike Eli's sons who brought contempt upon the sacrifices, Jesus offered Himself as the perfect, unblemished [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), a sacrifice that truly atones and never needs repeating ([Hebrews 9:26](/hebrews/9-26 "Hebrews 9:26 - Christ's Once-for-All Sacrifice")). Where Eli failed to exercise decisive authority against sin, Jesus exercises perfect authority, not only confronting sin but also conquering it through His death and resurrection, offering forgiveness and new life to all who believe ([Colossians 2:13-14](/colossians/2-13 "Colossians 2:13-14 - Forgiveness in Christ")). He is the one who truly "restrains" the power of sin and death, establishing a new covenant where God's law is written on hearts, and His people are empowered by the Holy Spirit to live in obedience, unlike the disobedient sons of Eli ([Jeremiah 31:33](/jeremiah/31-33 "Jeremiah 31:33 - The New Covenant")). Jesus fulfills the priestly role perfectly, not through a flawed human lineage, but by His eternal divine nature, ensuring that God's holiness is perfectly honored and His people are perfectly represented before Him ([Hebrews 4:14-16](/hebrews/4-14 "Hebrews 4:14-16 - Jesus, Our Great High Priest")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Matthew 10:37

He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.

Proverbs 19:18

¶ Chasten thy son while there is hope, and let not thy soul spare for his crying.

1 Samuel 2:12

Now the sons of Eli [were] sons of Belial; they knew not the LORD.

1 Samuel 2:17

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

Proverbs 23:13

Withhold not correction from the child: for [if] thou beatest him with the rod, he shall not die.

Proverbs 23:14

Thou shalt beat him with the rod, and shalt deliver his soul from hell.

Ezekiel 7:3

Now [is] the end [come] upon thee, and I will send mine anger upon thee, and will judge thee according to thy ways, and will recompense upon thee all thine abominations.