The Sin of Eli’s Sons

¹² Now the sons of Eli were ^[a](A)worthless men; they did not know the Lord ^13 (B)and the custom of the priests with the people. When any man was offering a sacrifice, the priest’s servant would come while the meat was boiling, with a three-pronged fork in his hand. ¹⁴ Then he would thrust it into the pan, or kettle, or caldron, or pot; all that the fork brought up the priest would take for himself. Thus they did in Shiloh to all the Israelites who came there. ¹⁵ Also, before ^(C)they burned the fat, the priest’s servant would come and say to the man who was sacrificing, “Give the priest meat for roasting, as he will not take boiled meat from you, only raw.” ¹⁶ If the man said to him, “They must surely ^[b]burn the fat ^[c]first, and then take as much as ^[d]you desire,” then he would say, “No, but you shall give it to me now; and if not, I will take it by force.” ¹⁷ Thus the sin of the young men was very great before the Lord, for the men ^(D)despised the offering of the Lord.

Eli Rebukes His Sons

²² Now Eli was very old; and he heard ^(A)all that his sons were doing to all Israel, and how they lay with ^(B)the women who served at the doorway of the tent of meeting.

⁸ You have ^(A)despised My holy things and ^(B)profaned My sabbaths.