1 Samuel 2:12-25

12Now the sons of Eli were sons of Belial; they knew not Yhwh. 13And the priests’ custom with the people was, that, when any man offered sacrifice, the priest’s servant came, while the flesh was in seething, with a fleshhook of three teeth in his hand; 14And he struck it into the pan, or kettle, or caldron, or pot; all that the fleshhook brought up the priest took for himself. So they did in Shiloh unto all the Israelites that came thither. 15Also before they burnt the fat, the priest’s servant came, and said to the man that sacrificed, Give flesh to roast for the priest; for he will not have sodden flesh of thee, but raw. 16And if any man said unto him, Let them not fail to burn the fat presently, and then take as much as thy soul desireth; then he would answer him, Nay; but thou shalt give it me now: and if not, I will take it by force.1 17Wherefore the sin of the young men was very great before Yhwh: for men abhorred the offering of Yhwh.

18But Samuel ministered before Yhwh, being a child, girded with a linen ephod. 19Moreover his mother made him a little coat, and brought it to him from year to year, when she came up with her husband to offer the yearly sacrifice.

20And Eli blessed Elkanah and his wife, and said, Yhwh give thee seed of this woman for the loan which is lent to Yhwh. And they went unto their own home.2 21And Yhwh visited Hannah, so that she conceived, and bare three sons and two daughters. And the child Samuel grew before Yhwh.

22Now Eli was very old, and heard all that his sons did unto all Israel; and how they lay with the women that assembled at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.3 23And he said unto them, Why do ye such things? for I hear of your evil dealings by all this people.4 24Nay, my sons; for it is no good report that I hear: ye make Yhwh's people to transgress.5 25If one man sin against another, the judge shall judge him: but if a man sin against Yhwh, who shall intreat for him? Notwithstanding they hearkened not unto the voice of their father, because Yhwh would slay them.