Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 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.
22 26. 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 (Num 4:13; Num 8:24): and it seems probable that the women mentioned here and in Exo 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 and hold communication with the priests, and the people. See Exo 29:42-43.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
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.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 22. They lay with the women that assembled] It is probable that these were persons who had some employment about the tabernacle. See Clarke on Ex 38:8, where the Hebrew text is similar to that in this place.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
He was very old; and therefore unfit either to manage his office himself, or to make a diligent inspection into the carriage of his sons in holy administrations; which gave them opportunity for their wickedness.
All that his sons did unto all Israel; whom they injured in their offerings, and alienated from the service of God.
Assembled, or warred; which expression is used of them, either because they came to the service and worship of God in the tabernacle, which is often called a warfare; or because they came in considerable numbers, and due order, like to an army.
At the door; the place where all the people, both men and women, waited when they came up to the service of God, 1Sa 1:9,12; Lu 1:10, because they could not have admittance into the tabernacle, and because the altar on which their sacrifices were offered was by the door. Hence it seems probable that these women were not such as devoted themselves to the service of God and of his tabernacle, either by fasting and prayer, &c., or by sewing, spinning, &c., which, if then there were any such, had their stations not at the door, but in divers places allotted to them round about the tabernacle; but of such as came up to worship God at his tabernacle; as women ofttimes did, with their husbands, as here Hannah did, and the blessed Virgin Mary, Luk 2:41, or with their parents. And this exposition may receive strength from Exo 38:8, where the very same phrase is used, and that when the great tabernacle was not yet built: and so there was no occasion for any women to come to the other less tabernacle then used, save only to pray or offer sacrifices.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
22-24. the women that assembled atthe door of the tabernacleThis was an institution of holywomen of a strictly ascetic order, who had relinquished worldly caresand devoted themselves to the Lord; an institution which continueddown to the time of Christ (Lu2:37). Eli was, on the whole, a good man, but lacking in themoral and religious training of his family. He erred on the side ofparental indulgence; and though he reprimanded them (see on De21:18), yet, from fear or indolence, he shrank from laying onthem the restraints, or subjecting them to the discipline, theirgross delinquencies called for. In his judicial capacity, he winkedat their flagrant acts of maladministration and suffered them to makereckless encroachments on the constitution, by which the most seriousinjuries were inflicted both on the rights of the people and the lawsof God.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
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, 1Sa 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 should behave so unworthily as they did:
and heard all that his sons had done unto Israel; who, besides what was by the law allowed them, took flesh out of the pot as it was boiling, and demanded raw flesh to roast before the fat was offered to the Lord; and in this manner they used all, without distinction, that came with their sacrifices:
and how they lay with the women that assembled at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation; not that they lay with them at the door in a public beastly manner; but the women that came thither they decoyed into their own apartments, or into some of the courts of the tabernacle, and there debauched them: who these women were, and what their business at the tabernacle, is not easy to say; some think they came about business which belonged to women to do there, as to wash and clean the rooms, to sew and spin, and the like; but one would think that these latter works should be done, not at the door of the tabernacle, but in some apartment in it, or rather at their own houses, for the use of it: the Targum is, that they there assembled to pray, which is more likely, and that they were devout women; who came there in large numbers, for the word used has the signification of armies; to perform religious exercises in fasting, and praying, and bringing sacrifices to be offered for them; though they do not seem to be such, as was Anna the prophetess, Lu 2:37 who made their abode in the tabernacle, and served God night and day with fastings and prayers, since these were only at the door of the tabernacle; nor were there in the tabernacle conveniences for such persons, as afterwards in the temple. The Jews, for the most part, by these understand new mothers, who came with their offerings for purification, attended with many other women, their relations, friends, and neighbours, and which especially, when several met together on such an occasion, made a crowd at the door of the tabernacle; and some are of opinion that these men did not lie with them, or debauch them, according to the literal sense of the word; but that they delayed the offering of their nests of doves they brought, so that they were forced to stay all night, and could not return home; and because by this means they were restrained from their husbands, it is reckoned as if these men had lain with them t; and which they think is confirmed, in that the man of God sent to Eli, after mentioned, takes no notice of this lewdness of theirs, only of their ill behaviour as to sacrifices, but the text is so express for their debauchery, that it cannot be denied.
t T. Bab. Sabbat, fol. 55. 2. Ben Gersom & Abarbinel in loc.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Eli’s treatment of the sins of his sons. – 1Sa 2:22. The aged Eli reproved his sons with solemn warnings on account of their sins; but without his warnings being listened to. From the reproof itself we learn, that beside the sin noticed in 1Sa 2:12-17, they also committed the crime of lying with the women who served at the tabernacle (see at Exo 38:8), and thus profaned the sanctuary with whoredom. But Eli, with the infirmities of his old age, did nothing further to prevent these abominations than to say to his sons, “ Why do ye according to the sayings which I hear, sayings about you which are evil, of this whole people.” is inserted to make the meaning clearer, and is dependent upon . “ This whole people ” signifies all the people that came to Shiloh, and heard and saw the wicked doings there.
Fuente: Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament
(22) Now Eli was very old.The compiler of these Books of Samuel was evidently wishful to speak as kindly as possible of Eli. He had, no doubt, deserved well of Israel in past days; and though it was clear that through his weak indulgence for his wicked sons, and his own lack of energy and foresight, he had brought discredit on the national sanctuary, and, in the end, defeat and shame on the people, yet the compiler evidently loved to dwell on the brightest side of the old high priests characterhis piety, his generous love for Samuel, his patriotism, &c.; and here, where the shameful conduct of Hophni and Phinehas is dwelt on, an excuse is made for their father, Eli. He was, says the writer, very old.
The women that assembled.These women were evidently in some way connected with the service of the Tabernacle; possibly they assisted in the liturgical portion of the sanctuary worship. (Compare Psa. 68:11 : The Lord gave the word, great was the company of female singers.) Here, as so often in the worlds story, immorality follows on unbelief.
In Psa. 78:60-64, the punishment of the guilty priests and the forsaking of the defiled sanctuary is recorded. The psalmist Asaph relates how, in His anger at the peoples sin, God greatly abhorred Israel, so that He forsook the Tabernacle at Shiloheven the tent that He had pitched among men. He delivered their power into captivity, and their beauty into the enemys hand. The fire consumed their young men, and their maidens were not given to marriage. Their priests were slain with the sword, and there were no widows to make lamentation.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
22. The women that assembled at the door All classes of women, young and old, assembled at Shiloh for the purpose of worship, as Hannah did, and some were probably there employed in some kind of service for the tabernacle; but neither this passage nor Exo 38:8, sustains the notion of some, that there was a regularly constituted order of female ministers or deaconesses that served at the tabernacle. Women may, indeed, have done some things to aid the sanctuary worship, but they certainly never constituted a sacred order of ministers in ancient Israel. “When we find the sons of Eli corrupting the women that assembled by troops at the door of the tabernacle, it seems very probable that they were imitating the conduct of the priests of Ashtoreth or of Baal-peor, with whom such license was a part of religious service.” Wilkins’s Essay on Phenicia and Israel.
Eli’s Sons Become Worse And Worse Until They Have ‘Sinned Unto Death’ ( 1Sa 2:22-25 ).
While Samuel was growing and developing, Eli’s sons were shrivelling and disintegrating. By this time Eli was an old man. His time as Priest was coming to an end. And while Samuel cheered his godly heart continually, the news that he heard about his two sons grieved him greatly. Indeed it had become so serious that he determined to give them a severe warning.
1Sa 2:22
‘ Now Eli was very old, and he continued hearing all that his sons did to all Israel, and how they lay with the women who did service at the door of the tent of meeting.’
Notice the extent of the influence of these godless men, now somewhat older, but certainly no wiser. Indeed they had become even more sinful, for they not only continued to sin before all Israel, but they lay with the women who were in the service of YHWH, the women who did service at the door of the Tent of Meeting itself. This was not only adultery, but adultery carried out in the very face of YHWH. We do not know whether the women freely consented, but it is probable that they at least had pressure put on them by the priests, who may well have stated that it was their duty as servants of the Tabernacle, citing the example of Canaanite worship where ritual sex was prevalent. So they disgraced their office in a new way.
We do not know what kind of sacred service these women normally performed (compare Exo 38:8), but they clearly had regular duties, which may have included the singing of Psalms and the cleaning of the surrounds of God’s house. Jephthah’s daughter had probably become one of them (Jdg 11:37-40 – which may well have been intended to indicate that she lived in perpetual virginity, having been redeemed by the offering of a ram) and was possibly still alive at this time. And they were equally clearly sacred to YHWH. Thus the two men had found a way of committing sacrilege which went even beyond what they had done before. They committed adultery before God’s very face with the very women who were dedicated to YHWH. This may well have been due to Canaanite influence, for in the Canaanite religion sacred prostitutes were commonplace, but they knew perfectly well that it was inexcusable.
“At the door of the tent of meeting.” This was particularly heinous as this was where people would come to YHWH for judgment on different issues (Exo 29:42). It was where a woman who was accused of adultery would be tested out ‘before YHWH’ (Num 5:16). And yet now the very women who served there had been made into adulteresses, and that by the very priests of YHWH.
1Sa 2:23-24
‘ And he said to them, “Why do you do such things? For I hear of your evil dealings from all this people. No, my sons, for it is no good report that I hear. You make YHWH’s people to transgress. If one man sin against another, God will arbitrate for him, but if a man sin against YHWH, who will arbitrate for him?”
Eli challenges his sons on their behaviour, but it was something that he should have done long before. He points out that he is hearing about their bad behaviour from everywhere. All are talking about it. (Possibly previously he had closed his ears to the ‘rumours’. But now they could be ignored no longer). And he reproves them because the report he is receiving is not good. Why, he asks, are they doing such things? Do they not realise that they are making YHWH’s people transgress? This was serious indeed, because, if a man sins against another, God will step in as arbitrator and judge, but when a man sins directly against YHWH who is there to arbitrate for him? And the answer is, no one. For there is no one whose plea would be sufficient in view of the greatness of the sin.
“YHWH” s people’ may refer to the fact that the women with whom they had been sinning were specifically set apart to YHWH. Or it may simply mean ‘Israel’ as YHWH’s people. Either way it was to be seen as a serious matter.
1Sa 2:25
“ Notwithstanding, they did not listen to the voice of their father, because YHWH was minded to slay them.’
Whether they would have listened to their father of their own volition even if YHWH had not hardened them we do not know. The probability is that they would not, for they were hardened sinners. After all their father must surely have spoken to them about the rumours before. But now there was another reason why they did not listen, and that was because, as a result of the fact that they had hardened their hearts for so long, God had now hardened their hearts. As with Pharaoh previously, the time for forgiveness had passed. YHWH had determined that they must die. They had committed the ‘sin unto death’ (Jas 5:16-17).
The Prophecy Against Eli
v. 22. Now Eli was very old and heard all that his sons did unto all Israel, v. 23. And he said unto them, Why do ye such things? For I hear of your evil dealings by all this people, v. 24. Nay, my sons; for it is no good report that I hear; ye make the Lord’s people to transgress, v. 25. If one man sin against another, the judge shall judge him, v. 26. And the child Samuel grew on, and was in favor both with the Lord and also with men, v. 27. And there came a man of God, v. 28. And did I choose him, v. 29. Wherefore kick ye at My sacrifice and at Mine offering, v. 30. Wherefore the Lord God of Israel saith, I said indeed that thy house and the house of thy father should walk before Me forever, v. 31. Behold, the days come, that I will cut off thine arm, v. 32. And thou shalt see an enemy in My habitation, in all the wealth which God shall give Israel, v. 33. And the man, v. 34. And this shall be a sign unto thee, v. 35. And I will raise Me up a faithful priest that shall do according to that which is in Mine heart and in My mind, v. 36. And it shall come to pass that every one that is left in thine house shall come and crouch to him, (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. (23) And he said unto them, Why do ye such things? for I hear of your evil dealings by all this people. (24) Nay, my sons; for it is no good report that I hear: ye make the LORD’S people to transgress.
It doth not appear that Eli himself was concerned in this evil of his house. No doubt, he had educated his sons in the knowledge of the Lord. Perhaps he was too much relaxed in the discipline of his family; and his reproofs were not so sharp as they ought to have been. But Reader! do not fail to recollect, that grace is not hereditary. From what follows in the latter part of this chapter, it should seem that Eli did not enter into the full view of the enormity of his children’s transgression. We do not hear of any prayers, or cries, he sent forth to God to reclaim them.
1Sa 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.
Ver. 22. Now Eli was very old. ] And with it dim sighted, and so could not see so well into the evil manners of his sons; who also haply therefore slighted him the more, because old, and overworn.
And how they lay with the women. a Hebraei intelligunt puerperas.
b Turmatim conveniebant. – Jun.
door = entrance.
tabernacle = tent of meeting.
the Penalty of Dishonoring God
1Sa 2:22-36
Eli was held responsible for the excesses of his sons. He was a mild and gentle old man. But there are times when mildness and gentleness are out of place. We must be stern and strong when the occasion demands. It is always necessary to be on the alert, lest flabbiness and weakness should pass under the designation of Christian graces. Moreover, severer measures might have restrained his sons, 1Sa 3:13. Therefore in the message of judgment Eli was included, 1Sa 2:27-36. He is classed with his sons and reckoned as an accomplice with them in their sin against God, 1Sa 2:29-30.
Notice that prediction of the faithful priests, 1Sa 2:35-36. In its first reference Samuel may be seen, but beyond him rises the figure of Another who ever lives to intercede, and is expressly designated as faithful. Eli and his sons lived in the Temple, where the burning holiness of God was reflected in every service; but they seem never to have heard the chant of the seraphim, nor to have cried, Woe is me, for I am undone, nor to have felt the burning coal on their lips. Do not trifle with the sacred privileges of Gods house! They will condemn where they do not uplift.
Now: 1Sa 8:1
did unto: 1Sa 2:13-17, Jer 7:9, Jer 7:10, Eze 22:26, Hos 4:9-11
women: It is probable that these were persons who had some employment about the tabernacle – see note on Exo 38:8.
assembled: assembled by troops, Exo 38:8
Reciprocal: Gen 37:2 – evil report 1Sa 2:24 – ye make 1Sa 3:2 – his eyes 1Sa 3:13 – his sons 1Sa 4:4 – Hophni 1Sa 12:2 – my sons 2Sa 13:21 – he was very wroth Ezr 10:18 – the sons Zep 3:4 – her priests Mat 18:7 – unto Luk 1:25 – hath Tit 1:6 – having
1Sa 2:22. Now Eli was very old And therefore unfit either to manage his office himself, or to make a diligent inspection into the carriage of his sons, which gave them opportunity for their wickedness. All that his sons did to Israel Whom they injured in their offerings, and alienated from the service of God. At the door of the tabernacle The place where all the people, both men and women, waited when they came up to the service of God, because the altar on which their sacrifices were offered was by the door.
1Sa 2:22-26. Eli Remonstrates with his Sons.
1Sa 2:22. and . . . how that . . . meeting: should probably be omitted with LXX (cf. Exo 38:8).tent of meeting: see Exo 33:7.
1Sa 2:24. that I hear, etc.: better, which I hear the Lords people do spread abroad (mg.).
1Sa 2:25. judge him: render mediate for him.
1Sa 2:26. Cf. Luk 2:52.
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 {p} assembled [at] the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.
(p) Which was (as the Hebrews write) after their travail, when they came to be purified, read Exo 38:8, Lev 12:6.
3. Eli’s lack of influence on his sons and its effect 2:22-26
The sons of Eli followed the example of Canaanite worship rather than the instruction of the Mosaic Law. Ritual prostitution was part of Canaanite worship, and Eli’s sons seem to have adopted this custom. [Note: Merrill, "1 Samuel," p. 207.] Even when their father confronted them with their sin, Eli’s sons refused to repent. Frequently old men demonstrate wisdom, but Eli was not wise enough to restrain the sinful behavior of his sons.
The women referred to were evidently volunteer helpers in the service of the sanctuary (cf. Exo 38:8). The Hebrew word tsaba’ also means "assembled," but here it probably means "served." Unintentional sin was pardonable under Mosaic Law, but highhanded, deliberately rebellious sin was not, particularly ritual prostitution (cf. Num 25:1-5; Deu 23:17; Amo 2:7-8). The punishment for highhanded sin was death (Num 15:30). God initially judged Eli’s sons by giving them hard hearts as a result of their sin, before He brought final destruction on them (cf. Exo 7:3; Rom 1:24).
Earlier in Israel’s history another Phinehas, the godly son of another priest, Eleazar, had executed an Israelite named Zimri and a Moabite woman named Cozbi for practicing sexual immorality in the tabernacle (Numbers 25). Now this Phinehas, a priest and the son of another priest, Eli, was practicing sexual immorality in the tabernacle. How far the priests had departed from the Lord during the approximately 300 years that separated these incidents!
While Eli’s sons were growing in disfavor with the Lord and the Israelites (1Sa 2:22-25), Samuel was growing in favor with both (1Sa 2:26; cf. Luk 2:52) because he was obeying God.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Fuente: The Popular Commentary on the Bible by Kretzmann
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Fuente: F.B. Meyer’s Through the Bible Commentary
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Fuente: Peake’s Commentary on the Bible
Fuente: Geneva Bible Notes
Fuente: Expository Notes of Dr. Constable (Old and New Testaments)