1 Samuel 2:22

_NOW ELI WAS VERY OLD, AND HEARD ALL THAT HIS SONS DID UNTO ALL ISRAEL; AND HOW THEY LAY WITH THE WOMEN THAT ASSEMBLED AT THE DOOR OF THE TABERNACLE OF THE CONGREGATION._ The women that assembled at the door of the tabernacle х_ HATSOBª'OWT_ (H6633) _ PETACH_ (H6607) _ 'OHEL _ (H168) _ MOW`EED_ (H4150), that assembled at the door of the congregation as a regularly-organized band of attendants]. This was an institution of holy women of a strictly ascetic order, who had relinquished worldly cares and devoted themselves to the Lord-an institution which continued from the age of Moses (see the note at Exodus 38:8) down to the time of Christ ...

11-26 Samuel, being devoted to the Lord in a special manner, was from a child employed about the sanctuary in the services he was capable of. As he did this with a pious disposition of mind, it was called ministering unto the Lord. He received a blessing from the Lord. Those young people who serve God as well as they can, he will enable to improve, that they may serve him better. Eli shunned trouble and exertion. This led him to indulge his children, without using parental authority to restrain and correct them when young. He winked at the abuses in the service of the sanctuary till they became customs, and led to abominations; and his sons, who should have taught those that engaged in the service of the sanctuary what was good, solicited them to wickedness. Their offence was committed even in offering the sacrifices for sins, which typified the atonement of the Saviour! Sins against th...

Verse 1 Samuel 2:22. _THEY LAY WITH THE WOMEN THAT ASSEMBLED_] It is probable that these were persons who had some _employment_ about the tabernacle. Exodus 38:8, where the Hebrew text is similar to that in this place....

WOMEN THAT ASSEMBLED - Or, “Served.” See the marginal reference and note. Probably such service as consisted in doing certain work for the fabric of the tabernacle as women are accustomed to do, spinning, knitting, embroidering, mending, washing, and such like....

EXPOSITION SAMUEL'S MINISTRATIONS AT SHILOH (1 Samuel 2:11-9). 1 SAMUEL 2:11 THE CHILD DID MINISTER. Left by his parents at Shiloh, Samuel ministered unto the Lord; that is, certain duties were allotted him to perform suited to his age; but few at first, when he was but three years old, but increasing in importance as time went on; for the words refer to the whole period of his service, until Eli's death. At first Samuel would be but a scholar, for, as we have mentioned on 1 Samuel 1:21, there were, no doubt, regulations for the training of children devoted to the service of the sanctuary. T

NOW ELI WAS VERY OLD,.... It is very probable he was now about ninety years of age, since when he died he was ninety eight, 1 Samuel 4:15 which is observed to show his incapacity for the discharge of his office, and inspection into public affairs; which gave his sons opportunity of acting the wicked part they did without reproof, and with impunity, Eli knowing nothing of it; and accounts in some measure for the gentle reproof he gave them, when he did know of it; for being old, he was not so full of spirit and vigour, and more given to tenderness and mercy; besides, his sons were grown up and married, and he had less authority over them; though he ought to have considered himself not as a father only, but as an high priest and judge of Israel, and performed his office as such; however, it must be a great affliction to him in his old age, and added to the weight of it, that his sons shoul...

3. THE FAILURE OF ELI AND HIS SONS CHAPTER 2:12-36 _ 1. The wicked sons of Eli (1 Samuel 2:12)_ 2. Samuel before Jehovah and Hannah blessed (1 Samuel 2:18) 3. The empty warning of Eli (1 Samuel 2:22) 4. Judgment announced (1 Samuel 2:27) The corruption of the sons of aged Eli is next exposed. They were sons of Belial; they knew not Jehovah, and yet they ministered in the outward things of the sanctuary. It could result only in the worst corruption. They handled holy things and were wicked in heart and life. It has been well said “a holiness that is but external is the worst unholines

ELI REMONSTRATES WITH HIS SONS. 1 Samuel 2:22. and. how that. meeting: should probably be omitted with LXX (_cf._ Exodus 38:8). TENT OF MEETING: see Exodus 33:7. 1 Samuel 2:24. that I hear, etc.: better, which I hear the Lord's people do spread abroad (_mg.)._ 1 Samuel 2:25. judge him: render mediate for him. 1 Samuel 2:26. _Cf._ Luke 2:5

DOOR. entrance. TABERNACLE. tent of meeting....

Eli's fruitless expostulations with his sons 22. _heard_ " USED TO HEAR all that his sons WERE DOING," constantly and habitually. _the women that assembled_ Rather, THAT SERVED. The word is applied to (_a_) military service: (_b_) Levitical service (Numbers 4:13; Numbers 8:24): and it seems probable that the women mentioned here and in Exodus 38:8, where the same words are used, had regular duties in connexion with the tabernacle service. The example of the abominations connected with the Phoenician worship of Ashtaroth may have helped to corrupt the priests of Shiloh. _the tabernacle of the congregation_ Rather, THE TENT OF MEETING, where Jehovah would meet an