a high priest of the Hebrews, of the race of Ithamar, who succeeded
Abdon, and governed the Hebrews, both as priest and judge, during forty
years. How Eli came to the high priesthood, and how this dignity was
transferred from Eleazar’s family to that of Ithamar, who was Aaron’s
youngest son, we know not. This much, however, is certain, that it was
not done without an express declaration of God’s will, 1 Sam. ii, 27,
&c. In the reign of Solomon, the predictions in relation to Eli’s family
were fulfilled; for the high priesthood was taken from Abiathar, a
descendant of Eli, and given to Zadok, who was of the race of Eleazar, 1
Kings ii, 26. Eli appears to have been a pious, but indolent man,
blinded by paternal affection, who suffered his sons to gain the
ascendancy over him; and for want either of personal courage, or zeal
for the glory of God sufficient to restrain their licentious conduct, he
permitted them to go on to their own and his ruin. Thus he carried his
indulgence to cruelty; while a more dignified and austere conduct on his
part might have rendered them wise and virtuous, and thereby have
preserved himself and family. A striking lesson for parents! God
admonished him by Samuel, then a child; and Eli received those awful
admonitions with a mind fully resigned to the divine will. “It is the
Lord,” said he, “let him do what seemeth him good.” God deferred the
execution of his vengeance many years. At length, however, Hophni and
Phineas, the sons of Eli, were slain by the Philistines, the ark of the
Lord was taken, and Eli himself, hearing this melancholy news, fell
backward from his chair and broke his neck, in the ninety-eighth year of
his age, 1 Sam. iv, 12, 18.
Abdon, and governed the Hebrews, both as priest and judge, during forty
years. How Eli came to the high priesthood, and how this dignity was
transferred from Eleazar’s family to that of Ithamar, who was Aaron’s
youngest son, we know not. This much, however, is certain, that it was
not done without an express declaration of God’s will, 1 Sam. ii, 27,
&c. In the reign of Solomon, the predictions in relation to Eli’s family
were fulfilled; for the high priesthood was taken from Abiathar, a
descendant of Eli, and given to Zadok, who was of the race of Eleazar, 1
Kings ii, 26. Eli appears to have been a pious, but indolent man,
blinded by paternal affection, who suffered his sons to gain the
ascendancy over him; and for want either of personal courage, or zeal
for the glory of God sufficient to restrain their licentious conduct, he
permitted them to go on to their own and his ruin. Thus he carried his
indulgence to cruelty; while a more dignified and austere conduct on his
part might have rendered them wise and virtuous, and thereby have
preserved himself and family. A striking lesson for parents! God
admonished him by Samuel, then a child; and Eli received those awful
admonitions with a mind fully resigned to the divine will. “It is the
Lord,” said he, “let him do what seemeth him good.” God deferred the
execution of his vengeance many years. At length, however, Hophni and
Phineas, the sons of Eli, were slain by the Philistines, the ark of the
Lord was taken, and Eli himself, hearing this melancholy news, fell
backward from his chair and broke his neck, in the ninety-eighth year of
his age, 1 Sam. iv, 12, 18.