1 Samuel 3:13

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

Commentary on 1 Samuel 3:13 (KJV)

1 Samuel 3:13 is a pivotal verse in the narrative of young Samuel's prophetic call, directly revealing God's severe judgment against Eli, the high priest, and his household. This declaration comes through Samuel, marking the beginning of his prophetic ministry and the end of Eli's priestly line.

Context

The book of 1 Samuel opens with a period of spiritual decline in Israel. Eli, serving as both high priest and judge, had two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, who were priests but showed blatant disregard for God's law and the sacred duties of their office. They "knew not the LORD" and engaged in corrupt practices, including taking sacrificial meat unlawfully and committing immorality at the tabernacle entrance (1 Samuel 2:12-17, 22). While Eli rebuked them, his actions were not decisive enough to restrain their wickedness or remove them from service. God had previously sent a prophet to Eli with a similar message of judgment (1 Samuel 2:27-36), and now He reiterates it directly to Samuel, solidifying the divine decree.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Parental Responsibility and Accountability: The verse explicitly states that Eli's house would be judged "for the iniquity which he knoweth; because his sons made themselves vile, and he restrained them not." This highlights Eli's failure to exercise his parental and priestly authority effectively. His knowledge of their sin coupled with his inaction made him culpable in God's eyes. This underscores the profound responsibility of parents and spiritual leaders to guide and discipline those under their care.
  • Divine Judgment and Justice: God's declaration is absolute and eternal ("judge his house for ever"). This demonstrates God's holiness and His unwavering commitment to justice. Sin, especially that which defiles sacred things and leads others astray, will not go unpunished. Eli's lenient attitude towards his sons' rebellion was viewed as honoring his sons more than God (1 Samuel 2:29).
  • Consequences of Inaction: Eli's passivity in the face of his sons' egregious sins led to severe consequences not just for them, but for his entire lineage. This serves as a powerful warning that inaction, especially when one has the authority and knowledge to intervene, can be a form of complicity and incur divine displeasure.

Linguistic Insights

  • "made themselves vile" (Hebrew: ื•ึทืžึฐืงึทืœึฐืœึดื™ื, va'm'qall'lim): The Hebrew word here can mean "to curse," "to treat lightly," or "to despise." It suggests that Eli's sons not only acted wickedly but also treated God and His sacrifices with utter contempt and disrespect, bringing curses upon themselves and the holy things. This term emphasizes their contemptuous attitude towards divine things.
  • "he restrained them not" (Hebrew: ื•ึฐืœึนื ื›ึดื”ึธื” ื‘ึธึผื, v'lo khihah bam): This phrase means "he did not rebuke them sharply" or "he did not restrain them forcibly." While Eli did offer some verbal correction (1 Samuel 2:23-25), it lacked the necessary authority and follow-through to compel obedience or prevent their abuses. The emphasis is on his failure to apply effective discipline.

Practical Application

1 Samuel 3:13 offers profound lessons for today. It calls believers to serious reflection on the nature of accountability, both personally and in leadership roles. For parents, it underscores the vital importance of training children in righteousness and administering appropriate discipline. For leaders, especially spiritual ones, it highlights the solemn duty to uphold God's standards, confront sin, and ensure integrity within their spheres of influence. The verse reminds us that God is holy, and while He is merciful, He also demands obedience and will hold individuals accountable for their actions and inactions, particularly when they involve dishonoring Him or leading others astray.

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Cross-References

  • Matthew 10:37 (9 votes)

    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 (8 votes)

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

  • 1 Samuel 2:12 (7 votes)

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

  • 1 Samuel 2:17 (6 votes)

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

  • Proverbs 23:13 (5 votes)

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

  • Proverbs 23:14 (5 votes)

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

  • Ezekiel 7:3 (4 votes)

    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.