1 Samuel 2:22

“Now Eli was very old, etc.] It is very probable he was now about ninety years of age, since when he died he was ninety eight, (<090415>1 Samuel 4:15) which is observed to show his incapacity for the discharge of his office, and inspection into public affairs; which gave his sons opportunity of acting the wicked part they did without reproof, and with impunity, Eli knowing nothing of it; and accounts in some measure for the gentle reproof he gave them, when he did know of it; for being old, he was not so full of spirit and vigour, and more given to tenderness and mercy; besides, his sons were grown up and married, and he had less authority over them; though he ought to have considered himself…”

“the women that assembled at the door of the tabernacle--This was an institution of holy women of a strictly ascetic order, who had relinquished worldly cares and devoted themselves to the Lord; an institution which continued down to the time of Christ (Luk 2:37). Eli was, on the whole, a good man, but lacking in the moral and religious training of his family. He erred on the side of parental indulgence; and though he reprimanded them (see on Deu 21:18), yet, from fear or indolence, he shrank from laying on them the restraints, or subjecting them to the discipline, their gross delinquencies called for. In his judicial capacity, he winked at their flagrant acts of maladministration and…”

“Women that assembled - Or, “Served.” See the marginal reference and note. Probably such service as consisted in doing certain work for the fabric of the tabernacle as women are accustomed to do, spinning, knitting, embroidering, mending, washing, and such like. return to 'Top of Page'”

“Very old - And therefore unfit either to manage his office himself, or to make a diligent inspection into the carriage of his sons, which gave them opportunity for their wickedness. To Israel - Whom they injured in their offerings, and alienated from the service of God. The door - The place where all the people both men and women waited when they came up to the service of God, because the altar on which their sacrifices was offered, was by the door. 1 Kings (1 Samuel) 2:23”

“2:22-25 Eli’s weak attempts to change his sons’ behavior (cp. 2:29) indicate that he had raised them without discipline (3:13). 2:22 seducing . . . women: Eli’s sons had probably been influenced by Canaanite religious practices, which included sex as part of the ritual. • who assisted at the entrance: See Exod 38:8.”

“Now: Sa1 8:1 did unto: Sa1 2:13-17; Jer 7:9, Jer 7:10; Eze 22:26; Hos 4:9-11 women: It is probable that these were persons who had some employment about the tabernacle (see note on Exo 38:8). assembled: assembled by troops, Exo 38:8 1 Kings (1 Samuel) 2:23”

“Eli's treatment of the sins of his sons. - Sa1 2:22. The aged Eli reproved his sons with solemn warnings on account of their sins; but without his warnings being listened to. From the reproof itself we learn, that beside the sin noticed in Sa1 2:12-17, they also committed the crime of lying with the women who served at the tabernacle (see at Exo 38:8), and thus profaned the sanctuary with whoredom. But Eli, with the infirmities of his old age, did nothing further to prevent these abominations than to say to his sons, "Why do ye according to the sayings which I hear, sayings about you which are evil, of this whole people." רעים את־דּבריכם is inserted to make the meaning clearer, and כּל־ה מאת…”