What went wrong with these sons of a godly priest? Scripture tells us that while Eli ministered before the LORD, his sons were “corrupt” and their sins were “very great” (1 Sam. 2:12, 17).
We do not know everything that brought Eli’s sons to this appalling circumstance, but we do know that they did not know the LORD (1 Sam. 2:12), and that they did not have any regard for their father’s warning to repent (1 Sam. 2:25). Twice Eli was warned that destruction would come to his household because of his sons’ sins, but Eli’s response was despondent. “Let [the LORD] do what seems good to Him” (1 Sam. 3:18). Eli had given up.
We have promise regarding our children’s salvation (Prov. 22:6), but we also have a God-given charge to instruct them in the knowledge of the Lord.
Do not give up! Even when the situation looks grim, let the Lord’s unfailing love flow through you to them, drawing them into the family of the redeemed.
