Eli’s sons, Hophni and Phinehas, died because they were wicked priests who showed contempt for the Lord’s offerings and defiled their priestly office. Their deaths were a judgment from God due to their ongoing sin and Eli’s failure to restrain them.
The Bible says:
“Now the sons of Eli were corrupt; they did not know the Lord.”
(1 Samuel 2:12)
They abused their position by taking portions of sacrifices that did not belong to them and by committing immorality with women at the tabernacle:
“Therefore the sin of the young men was very great before the Lord, for men abhorred the offering of the Lord.”
(1 Samuel 2:17)
Despite warnings, they did not repent. A man of God brought a message to Eli:
“Why do you honor your sons more than Me… Behold, the days are coming that I will cut off your arm and the arm of your father’s house…”
(1 Samuel 2:29–31)
God also spoke to Samuel as a child:
“I will judge his house forever for the iniquity which he knows, because his sons made themselves vile, and he did not restrain them.”
(1 Samuel 3:13)
The fulfillment came during the battle with the Philistines:
“The ark of God was captured; and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, died.”
(1 Samuel 4:11)
Their deaths were part of God’s judgment on a corrupt priesthood and a nation that had turned away from Him. It also marked the beginning of a transition from Eli’s lineage to Samuel as the prophet and spiritual leader of Israel.
