Eli was a priest and judge of Israel who ministered at the tabernacle in Shiloh during the time of the early prophets. He is first mentioned in 1 Samuel 1:3, where he is seen sitting by the doorpost of the tabernacle when Hannah comes to pray for a child. Mistaking her silent prayer for drunkenness, Eli initially rebukes her but then blesses her after learning of her sincere petition (1 Samuel 1:17).
Hannah’s prayer is answered with the birth of Samuel, whom she dedicates to the Lord and brings to Eli to be raised in the tabernacle. Eli becomes Samuel’s guardian and mentor. As Samuel grows, he ministers before the Lord, and Eli discerns that God is calling Samuel, guiding him to respond, “Speak, Lord, for Your servant hears” (1 Samuel 3:9).
Though Eli showed kindness to Hannah and spiritual care for Samuel, his greatest failure was his inability to restrain his sons, Hophni and Phinehas. These sons were corrupt, stealing from the offerings and committing immorality at the entrance of the tabernacle (1 Samuel 2:12–17, 22). Eli rebuked them mildly but did not remove them from their priestly roles, leading to God’s judgment.
A man of God delivered a prophecy against Eli, declaring that his household would no longer serve as priests and that both of his sons would die on the same day (1 Samuel 2:27–34). This was fulfilled when the Ark of the Covenant was captured by the Philistines, and Hophni and Phinehas were slain (1 Samuel 4:11).
When Eli heard of the Ark’s capture and his sons’ deaths, he fell backward from his seat, broke his neck, and died (1 Samuel 4:18). He had judged Israel for forty years.
Eli’s life reveals both devotion and failure. He was faithful in guiding others like Hannah and Samuel, yet negligent in disciplining his own household. His life warns that spiritual responsibility must be accompanied by righteous leadership and that honoring family over God leads to judgment (1 Samuel 2:29).
