1st Samuel 2:29 Wherefore kick ye at my sacrifice and at mine offering, which I have commanded in my habitation; and honor your sons above me, to make yourselves fat with the best of all the offerings of Israel my people?
The following lessons should be deducted from the verses we just read, so that folks may avoid crossing that same threshold of God’s forbearance, into the point of no return. [1] When God points out sin in our lives, and we are made fully aware of them, concrete steps should be taken to correct the evils, or else, continued delay can lead to a rupture in one’s relationship with God.
It was not enough for Eli to remonstrate against his sons, they should have been removed entirely from the priesthood, especially since the sanctuary, and its services were being abhorred by the people. But this would obviously involve crossing the will of his sons, something some parents would loathe to do.
Eli did not manage his household according to God's rules for family government. He followed his own judgment. The fond father overlooked the faults and sins of his sons in their childhood, flattering himself that after a time they would outgrow their evil tendencies. Many are now making a similar mistake. They think they know a better way of training their children than that which God has given in his word. They foster wrong tendencies in them, urging as an excuse, “They are too young to be punished. Wait till they become older, and can be reasoned with.” Thus wrong habits are left to strengthen until they become second nature. The children grow up without restraint, with traits of character that are a life-long curse to them, and are liable to be reproduced in others.
1st Samuel 3:13 For I have told him that I will judge his house for ever for the iniquity which he knows; because his sons made themselves vile, and he restrained them not. 14 And therefore I have sworn unto the house of Eli, that the iniquity of Eli's house shall not be purged with sacrifice nor offering forever.
May God add His blessing to the study of His word. God bless!