1 Samuel 2:28

Hebrew

ובחר אתו מכל שבטי ישראל לי לכהן לעלות על מזבחי להקטיר קטרת לשאת אפוד לפני ואתנה לבית אביך את כל אשי בני ישראל:

What Does This Mean?

In this verse, God is speaking to Eli, the high priest, reminding him that He chose Eli's family to serve Him in the temple. God lists the special duties given to Eli's family and asks if He didn't provide all the offerings from the Israelites to them.

Explained for Children

Imagine you picked your friend to be the best helper in your class. You gave them a special job and all the supplies to do it. But what if they didn't do their job well? That's like what God is saying to Eli in this verse.

Historical Background

The book of 1 Samuel was likely written by Samuel, Nathan, and Gad, around the 10th century BCE. This verse is part of God's rebuke to Eli about his sons' wicked behavior, and it was written for the Israelites to understand God's expectations of His priests.

Living It Out Today

Today, if someone has given you a special job or responsibility, remember to take it seriously. For instance, if you're given the role of a team leader at work, ensure you do your best because someone trusted you with that position.

Topics

• priesthood
• responsibility
• God's expectations
• faithfulness
• service
• trust

Related Verses

• Leviticus 21:6
• Exodus 28:4
• Ezekiel 44:14
• Luke 12:48
• 1 Timothy 3:1-7

Recommended Reading

Commentary 1 Samuel Commentaries → Get This Bible Hebrew Study Bible →

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does God remind Eli of his special position?

God reminds Eli of his special position to emphasize the seriousness of the situation and to hold Eli accountable for the actions of his sons and the duties of his office.

What was Eli's role as a priest?

As a priest, Eli was responsible for offering sacrifices, burning incense, and wearing the ephod while serving in the tabernacle.

How does this verse relate to our responsibilities today?

It reminds us that when we are given responsibilities, especially those involving spiritual leadership, we must take them seriously and perform them with faithfulness and integrity.

What can we learn about God's expectations from this verse?

We learn that God expects those He has chosen for specific roles to fulfill their duties with dedication and without corruption, as He entrusts them with significant responsibilities.