I Samuel 1:3 

“Where the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were priests of the Lord.”

I Samuel 2:12

“Now the sons of Eli were worthless men. They did not know the Lord.”

Eli had two sons who seem to be following in his footsteps. Both Phinehas and Hophni were doing the work of priests at the temple in Shiloh.

They were in religious work – but they did not know the Lord. Their work as priests was a ‘job’ for them and it was not a personal calling and an overflow of their heart for the Lord – for they did not know the Lord.

Men who lack personal faith who are in religious work are worthless. This is how Eli’s two sons are described. Other versions translate worthless as scoundrels, dishonorable and unprincipled.

Proverbs 17:21

“There is nothing but sadness and sorrow for parents whose children do foolish things.”

Eli was a ‘sad dad’ for his sons were unprincipled scoundrels – but especially because they did not know the Lord.

Prayer.

Thank You, Lord, that I can rejoice that my children know You and that their personal faith impacts their character and relationships. 

In Jesus Name, Amen.