Eli

This man went up from his city every year to worship and sacrifice to ADONAI-Tzva'ot in Shiloh. The two sons of 'Eli, Hofni and Pinchas, were cohanim of ADONAI there.

So Hannah got up after they had finished eating and drinking in Shiloh. 'Eli the cohen was sitting on his seat by the doorpost of the temple of ADONAI.

She prayed for a long time before ADONAI; and as she did so, 'Eli was watching her mouth.

Hannah was speaking in her heart - her lips moved, but her voice could not be heard -so 'Eli thought she was drunk.

'Eli said to her, "How long are you going to stay drunk? Stop drinking your wine!"

Then 'Eli replied, "Go in peace. May the God of Isra'el grant what you have asked of him."

After the bull had been slaughtered, the child was brought to 'Eli;

Elkanah went home to Ramah, while the child began ministering to ADONAI under the direction of 'Eli the cohen.

'Eli's sons were scoundrels who had no regard for ADONAI.

'Eli would bless Elkanah and his wife and say, "May ADONAI give you children from this woman because of the boy you have loaned to ADONAI"; then they would go home.

When 'Eli was very old, he heard about everything his sons were doing to all Isra'el, and that they were having sex with the women doing service at the door of the tent of meeting.

A man of God came to 'Eli and told him, "Here is what ADONAI says: 'Didn't I reveal myself to your ancestor's clan when they were in Egypt, serving as slaves in Pharaoh's household?

The child Sh'mu'el continued ministering to ADONAI under 'Eli's direction. Now, in those days ADONAI rarely spoke, and visions were few.

Once, during that period, 'Eli had gone to bed - his eyes had begun to grow dim, so that it was hard for him to see.

Then he ran to 'Eli and said, "Here I am - you called me?" But he said, "I didn't call you; go back, and lie down." So he went and lay down.

ADONAI called a second time, "Sh'mu'el!"Sh'mu'el got up, went to 'Eli and said, "Here I am - you called me." He answered, "I didn't call, my son; lie down again."

ADONAI called, "Sh'mu'el!" again, a third time. He got up, went to 'Eli and said, "Here I am - you called me." At last 'Eli realized it was ADONAI calling the child.

So 'Eli said to Sh'mu'el, "Go, and lie down. If you are called again, say, 'Speak, ADONAI; your servant is listening.' Sh'mu'el went and lay down in his place.

On that day I will do against 'Eli everything I have said with regard to his family, from beginning to end.

Therefore I have sworn to the family of 'Eli that the wickedness of 'Eli's family will never be atoned for by any sacrifice or offering."

Sh'mu'el lay there until morning; then he opened the doors of the house of ADONAI. But Sh'mu'el was afraid to tell 'Eli the vision.

Then 'Eli called Sh'mu'el: "Sh'mu'el, my son!" He answered, "Here I am."

So the people sent to Shiloh and brought from there the ark for the covenant of ADONAI-Tzva'ot, who is present above the k'ruvim. The two sons of 'Eli, Hofni and Pinchas, were there with the ark for the covenant of God.

Moreover, the ark of God was captured; and the two sons of 'Eli, Hofni and Pinchas, died.

As he arrived, 'Eli was sitting on his seat by the road, watching; because he was trembling with anxiety over the ark of God. When the man entered the city and told the news, the whole city began crying out.