1 Samuel 2:27-36

A Prophet Foretells the Death of Eli's Sons, and the Expulsion of his Family from the Priesthood. Composed by the Deuteronomic Editor (see above, p. 273), to connect the misconduct of the sons of Eli with the massacre of his house at Nob and deposition of his descendant, Abiathar, from the priesthood in favour of the house of Zadok (1 Kings 2:26 f.); and perhaps also with the unhappy condition of the priests of the high places, after these were suppressed (2 Kings 23:8 f.), though there is no indication that the priests of the high-places as a class were reckoned descendants of Eli.

1 Samuel 2:27. man of God: see Judges 13:6. Did I reveal, etc.: these questions are a form of emphatic statement. The earlier sources of Samuel do not connect Eli with Aaron or Moses, but the author of this passage probably considered that because Eli was priest, he was descended from Aaron and inherited his election to the priesthood. in bondage to: read with LXX slaves to.

1 Samuel 2:28. wear an ephod: rather carry an ephod; ephod here not the same as the linen ephod in 1 Samuel 2:18, but an image or other piece of Temple furniture used in connexion with the sacred lots (p. 100); (see Judges 8:24 *, and cf. 1 Samuel 14:3; 1 Samuel 21:9; 1 Samuel 23:6).

1 Samuel 2:29. kick ye at: rather follow the LXX, look at with shameless eye, and render cast an evil eye upon, i.e. treat with contempt.

1 Samuel 2:30. the Lord saith (twice): ne-' um Yahweh, a solemn, emphatic phrase, Oracle of Y. (see Genesis 22:16). I said, etc.: this oracle is not in the Hex. (cf. 1 Samuel 2:27). Be it far from me: lit. abominable to me (see Genesis 44:7).

1 Samuel 2:31 f. These verses do not make sense; the present wording cannot be the original one, but must be due to mistakes in the copying. We cannot now discover the original form. LXX omits that there shall not be to. habitation. The general sense is that the house of Eli shall be brought low, arm cut off, and none survive to old age; the reference is to the massacre at Nob (1 Samuel 22:20).

1 Samuel 2:33. The man, Abiathar, the sole survivor of that massacre, whose deposition by Solomon will consume the eyes, etc. of Eli, who may be supposed to foresee it. shall die: in the massacre. in the flower of their age: rather, with LXX by the sword of men.

1 Samuel 2:34. Cf. 1 Samuel 4:11.

1 Samuel 2:35. faithful priest: Zadok (see above). build him a sure house: the priesthood shall remain permanently in his family. anointed: Mâ shiah, Messiah, as consecrated to God and endowed with His Spirit by the ceremony of anointing.

1 Samuel 2:36. piece of silver: the word translated piece occurs only here it should perhaps be translated payment.