The two sons of Eli strayed far from their calling as priests. Hophni and Phinehas “were corrupt; they did not know the Lord” (1 Samuel 2:12). When offering sacrifices to the Lord, the priests were given a portion of the sacrifice. This portion apparently did not suit Hophni and Phinehas. The two priests took more than their share (cf. 1 Samuel 2:13-14). In addition, they took their share of meat before burning the fat as a sweet aroma to the Lord (cf. 1 Samuel 2:15-16). “Therefore the sin of the young men was very great before the Lord, for men abhorred the offering of the Lord” (1 Samuel 2:17).

Eli was not ignorant of his sons’ behavior. Not only was he aware of their failure to perform the offering of the Lord correctly, but he heard of their fornication with the women who assembled at the door of the tabernacle of meeting (cf. 2:22). Eli rebuked them for their wrong doings. “Nevertheless they did not heed the voice of their father” (2:25).

A man of God came to Eli with a prophecy. Eli had failed to restrain his sons (cf. 3:13), and as a result, he honored them more than God (cf. 2:29). God recanted His statement that Eli’s “house and the house of [his] father would walk before [God] forever” (2:30). God replaced the old statement with one far less attractive to Eli. He told him that “there shall not be an old man in [his] house forever” and “in one day [Hophni and Phinehas] shall die, both of them” (2:31,34).

In the midst of all that was happening “the child Samuel grew in stature, and in favor both with the Lord and men” (2:26). Samuel ministered to the Lord before Eli. It happened one day that God called to Samuel while he was lying down. Samuel did not yet know the Lord’s voice and thought it was Eli (cf. 3:7). After the third time “Eli perceived that the Lord had called the boy” (3:8). The Lord called again and Samuel answered Him. Full of excitement, Eli pleaded with Samuel to tell him all that God had said (cf. 3:17). Samuel told him God would perform what He had spoken against Eli. After hearing what Samuel told him, Eli replied, “It is the Lord. Let Him do what seems good to Him” (3:18).

Despite Eli’s failure to discipline and correct his sons, he displayed a characteristic that should be present with us all. Eli submitted to God’s will without any fight. Even though God planned to cause Eli’s house pain and suffering he accepted the Lord’s will.

This attitude should be present in the church. The church is commanded to be subject to Christ (cf. Ephesians 5:24). “Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body” (Ephesians 5:23). Christ died for the church “that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish” (Ephesians 5:27). When the church fails to submit to Christ in all things, she fails to be without spot or wrinkle, and holy without blemish. Ecclesiastes 7:29 says, “God made man upright, but they have sought out many schemes.” This is true with the church. Jesus established the church on the truth that “[He is] the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:16). His church was made upright. However, man often decides their way of doing things is superior. We must understand that “the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God” (1 Corinthians 3:19). His ways are above our ways and we must submit to them fully (cf. Isaiah 55:8-9).

All authority has been given Jesus in heaven and on earth (cf. Matthew 28:18). Therefore, “whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus” (Colossians 3:17). We must submit to His authority. Instead of putting confidence in our ideas and opposing ourselves to God we need to have the same attitude as Eli. “It is the Lord. Let Him do what seems good to Him.”