Why did Eli’s sons die?

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.