Judges EraOld Testament

Eli

1 Samuel 1 Kings

When

c. 1090 BC· In the text

Placed by the story. The date is a rough guide. How the dates are worked out

Name meaning

"lofty" · Hebrew

From a root meaning to go up, and a different Hebrew word from the one meaning my God.

About

Priest of the Lord at Shiloh, who judged Israel forty years. He watched Hannah praying, took her for drunk, then sent her away in peace, and the child Samuel served the Lord before him. His sons Hophni and Phinehas, not Aaron's grandson Phinehas, were priests who sinned greatly before the Lord in handling the offerings. Eli spoke to them, but they did not listen, and a man of God told him that no one in his house would live to be old. When the Lord called Samuel by night, Eli understood and told him how to answer. When the ark was taken and his sons killed, Eli, ninety-eight and blind, fell from his seat and died.

Relationships

BlessedHannahWife of Elkanah, whom Eli took for drunk and later blessed with her husband

DiscipleSamuelChild who served the Lord before Eli, who taught him how to answer the call

Key Scripture AppearancesKJV

1 Samuel 1:17

Then Eli answered and said, Go in peace: and the God of Israel grant thee thy petition that thou hast asked of him.1 Samuel 1:17, KJV

1 Samuel 3:9

Therefore Eli said unto Samuel, Go, lie down: and it shall be, if he call thee, that thou shalt say, Speak, LORD; for thy servant heareth. So Samuel went and lay down in his place.1 Samuel 3:9, KJV

1 Samuel 3:18

And Samuel told him every whit, and hid nothing from him. And he said, It is the LORD: let him do what seemeth him good.1 Samuel 3:18, KJV

1 Samuel 4:18

And it came to pass, when he made mention of the ark of God, that he fell from off the seat backward by the side of the gate, and his neck brake, and he died: for he was an old man, and heavy. And he had judged Israel forty years.1 Samuel 4:18, KJV

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