1. SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES
LESSON 694:
THE SINS OF ELI’S SONS

2. RECAP OF OUR LAST STUDY
From our last study, entitled “Hannah’s Songs of Praise”, we learnt that:
Like Hannah and Mary, we should be confident of God's ultimate control over the events in our lives, and we should be thankful for the ways God has blessed us. 
It is precious to know that He who can see the end from the beginning knows what is best for us in choice of career, marriage, business etc., and He has promised to guide us. 
Despite being in control of the affairs of men and the universe, God still allows men to choose to either live for Him or for self, to do His will or theirs.
Believers must be guided in the choice of the music they listen to. Our priority must be to exalt God and extol His virtues, power and providence. 

3. TODAY’S STUDY: LESSON 694: THE SINS OF ELI’S SONS
MEMORY VERSE:
“Wherefore the sin of the young men was very great before the LORD: for men abhorred the offering of the LORD” (1 Samuel 2:17).
TEXT: 1 Samuel 2:12-26.
The study of today touches on three points:
Inexcusable sins of Eli’s sons.
Irreprehensible devotion of Elkanah’s family.
Ineffective reproof of Eli.

4. SUMMARY
Inexcusable sins of Eli’s sons (1 Samuel 2:12-17, 22; Numbers 15:30-31):
Eli’s sons took advantage of their position to satisfy their lust. They were taking parts of the sacrifices before​ ​they were offered to God on the altar. To add to their sins, they were also sleeping with the women who served there.
Their contempt and arrogance towards both people and worship undermined the integrity of the whole priesthood. They made the Lord’s people to transgress.
Irreprehensible devotion of Elkanah’s family (1 Samuel 2:18-21, 26):
Elkanah serves as an example of a faithful and loving, if flawed, servant of God.
His family offered Samuel to the Lord and continued to offer yearly sacrifice required by the Lord. He was able to command following in a very dark and wicked period.
Ineffective reproof of Eli (1 Samuel 2:22-25):
Eli’s as a high priest and head of his home lacked effective parental discipline.
Eli’s reproof was ineffective because it was not administered in time and it was not followed by adequate chastisement or discipline.
Elkanah serves as an example of a faithful and loving, if flawed, servant of God, but overall is shown in a highly sympathetic light as an example of faithfulness and love in very dark and wicked times. 

5. DISCUSSION

6. QUESTION 1 In what areas did Eli fail in his responsibility?
1 Samuel 2:29; 3:13
Titus 1:6
I Timothy 3:4,5,12
Genesis 18:19
Joshua 24:15

7. QUESTION 2 What sins did Hophni and Phinehas commit?
1 Samuel 2:12; Jeremiah 2:8
1 Samuel 2:13-16,17
1 Samuel 2:22, 24

8. QUESTION 3
What qualities differentiate Elkanah’s family from that of Eli?
1 Samuel 1:3-5 vs 2:13-16
1 Samuel 1:21 vs 2:22-24
1 Samuel 2:11 vs 2:12
1 Samuel 2:20,21 vs 4:11

9. QUESTION 4 Why was Eli’s reproof ineffective? 1 Timothy 5:20
Titus 1:13
Proverbs 13:24
Proverbs 19:18

10. CONCLUSION
Christian workers and leaders should not take advantage of their position to satisfy their lust for power, possessions and control.
Our personal and family devotion to God should be constant and fervent even in difficult moments.
God blessed Elkanah’s family. Like Abraham, Joshua and others, Christian parents should lead their families to abide by God’s word and live lives that pleases the Lord.
Firm resolve and corrective action are two important qualities needed for effective parental discipline.