Biblical Profile: Eli

Eli

Eli was Israel’s chief priest at the Tabernacle at Shiloh, Israel’s central shrine during the period of the judges. Eli apparently descended from Ithamar, Aaron’s youngest son (cp. 1 Kgs 2:27; 1 Chr 18:16; 24:3). Eli was sincere and devout, but he was weak in parenting his wicked sons, Hophni and Phinehas.

When Eli encountered Hannah at the Tabernacle, he accused her of drunkenness as she fervently but silently asked God for a child. Upon realizing his mistake, Eli blessed Hannah, and God answered Hannah’s prayer by giving her Samuel.

Samuel “grew in favor with the Lord and with the people” (1 Sam 2:26), but Eli’s sons “were scoundrels who had no respect for the Lord” (2:12). They stole from the offerings and seduced women who served at the Tabernacle. When Eli reproached them, they disregarded him. God sent a prophet to denounce Eli’s weakness and his sons’ wickedness and to announce that God would withdraw the priesthood from Eli’s family (2:27-36). This oracle was confirmed when God spoke to Samuel one night, telling him that he would soon punish Eli’s family (3:1-14). Shortly thereafter, Israel’s army was defeated in battle against the Philistines, the Ark of the Covenant was captured, and Eli’s sons were killed (4:1-11). When Eli, who was ninety-eight years old, heard the news, he fell over backward, broke his neck, and died (4:12-18). His daughter-in-law went into labor and died delivering Eli’s grandson, named Ichabod (“where is the glory?,” 4:19-22) because the glory had departed from Israel.

Eli’s priestly line survived, however, until David’s reign ended. Abiathar was Eli’s last descendant to serve as chief priest. Since he supported Adonijah’s attempt to usurp David’s throne, Solomon removed Abiathar from office and replaced him with Zadok (1 Kgs 2:27).

Passages for Further Study

1 Sam 1:9-18, 25-28; 1 Sam 2:11–4:22; 1 Kgs 2:27