Skip to content
Journey Through the Bible

1 Samuel 2:20-34

20 Eli would bless Elkanah and his wife, saying, “May the Lord give you children by this woman to take the place of the one she prayed for and gave to the Lord.” Then they would go home.

21 And the Lord was gracious to Hannah; she conceived and gave birth to three sons and two daughters. Meanwhile, the boy Samuel grew up in the presence of the Lord.

22 Now Eli, who was very old, heard about everything his sons were doing to all Israel and how they slept with the women who served at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting.

23 So he said to them, “Why do you do such things? I hear from all the people about these wicked deeds of yours.

24 No, my sons; it is not a good report that I hear spreading among the Lord’s people.

25 If a man sins against another man, God may mediate for him; but if a man sins against the Lord, who will intercede for him?” His sons, however, did not listen to their father’s rebuke, for it was the Lord’s will to put them to death.

26 And the boy Samuel continued to grow in stature and in favor with the Lord and with men.

27 Prophecy Against the House of Eli
Now a man of God came to Eli and said to him, “This is what the Lord says: ‘Did I not clearly reveal myself to your father’s house when they were in Egypt under Pharaoh?

28 I chose your father out of all the tribes of Israel to be my priest, to go up to my altar, to burn incense, and to wear an ephod in my presence. I also gave your father’s house all the offerings made with fire by the Israelites.

29 Why do you scorn my sacrifice and offering that I prescribed for my dwelling? Why do you honor your sons more than me by fattening yourselves on the choice parts of every offering made by my people Israel?’

30 “Therefore the Lord, the God of Israel, declares: ‘I promised that your house and your father’s house would minister before me forever.’ But now the Lord declares: ‘Far be it from me! Those who honor me I will honor, but those who despise me will be disdained.

31 The time is coming when I will cut short your strength and the strength of your father’s house, so that there will not be an old man in your family line

32 and you will see distress in my dwelling. Although good will be done to Israel, in your family line there will never be an old man.

33 Every one of you that I do not cut off from my altar will be spared only to blind your eyes with tears and to grieve your heart, and all your descendants will die in the prime of life.

34 “‘And what happens to your two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, will be a sign to you—they will both die on the same day.

Cross References for 1 Samuel 2:20-34

Genesis 14:19 - and he blessed Abram, saying, “Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth. Click to read the verse Genesis 14:19 Click to read the verse Genesis 14:19

Numbers 6:23-27 - “Tell Aaron and his sons, ‘This is how you are to bless the Israelites. Say to them: Click to read the verse Numbers 6:23-27 Click to read the verse Numbers 6:23-27

Genesis 47:7 - Then Joseph brought his father Jacob in and presented him before Pharaoh. After Jacob blessed P... Click to read the verse Genesis 47:7 Click to read the verse Genesis 47:7

Ruth 2:12 - May the Lord repay you for what you have done. May you be richly rewarded by the Lord, the God ... Click to read the verse Ruth 2:12 Click to read the verse Ruth 2:12

1 Samuel 1:11 - And she made a vow, saying, “O Lord Almighty, if you will only look upon your servant’s misery ... Click to read the verse 1 Samuel 1:11 Click to read the verse 1 Samuel 1:11

Ruth 4:11 - Then the elders and all those at the gate said, “We are witnesses. May the Lord make the woman ... Click to read the verse Ruth 4:11 Click to read the verse Ruth 4:11

Luke 2:34 - Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause the fal... Click to read the verse Luke 2:34 Click to read the verse Luke 2:34

Joshua 22:6 - Then Joshua blessed them and sent them away, and they went to their homes. Click to read the verse Joshua 22:6 Click to read the verse Joshua 22:6

Ruth 4:12 - Through the offspring the Lord gives you by this young woman, may your family be like that of P... Click to read the verse Ruth 4:12 Click to read the verse Ruth 4:12

Genesis 27:27-29 - So he went to him and kissed him. When Isaac caught the smell of his clothes, he blessed him an... Click to read the verse Genesis 27:27-29 Click to read the verse Genesis 27:27-29

1 Samuel 1:27-28 - I prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I asked of him. Click to read the verse 1 Samuel 1:27-28 Click to read the verse 1 Samuel 1:27-28