1 Samuel 2:29

‘“‘your sons
above me’”’
(1 Samuel 2:29)

This quotation is God speaking. It’s part of a message conveyed originally by an unnamed ‘man of God’(1 Samuel 2:27) to Eli, a ‘priest’(1 Samuel 1:9), who led ‘Israel’(1 Samuel 4:18) for 40 years during the time of the judges (so very early in Israel’s history, before they had a king). Nevertheless, these four words address an attitude problem that’s just as prevalent today, perhaps even more so?

Putting anything ‘“‘above’”’ God is a form of idolatry, such as developing a ‘covetousness’(Colossians 3:5) for ‘“Mammon”’(Matthew 6:24), or anything else that might pull us towards itself and away from God. The importance of avoiding such errors with ‘Mammon’ is perhaps relatively easy for us to understand and accept, although that must of course be balanced against the positive side to such ‘things’ – when they’re viewed rightly, within God’s purposes, prayerfully and under His guiding eye, e.g. using such things to ‘do good’(1 Timothy 6:18). However, making God a higher priority than our ‘“‘sons’”’ etc. can be harder for us to understand, accept and get right, not least because God has much to say that’s positive about family life too, and our duties within it. There’s clearly a subtle balance to be found, which Eli got wrong. So we’d do well to examine his story, then consider our own attitudes and practice in this area, in the light of his mistakes and scripture more generally.

Basically Eli had two ‘wicked’(1 Samuel 2:12ff.) sons, ‘Hophni and Phinehas’(1 Samuel 1:3), who nevertheless were priests under him. Essentially they just went through the motions with their priestly duties, showing contempt for the offerings brought by worshippers, by fattening themselves on what should have been set aside as ‘“‘pleasant’”’(Leviticus 3:5&16) exclusively for God, obviously a ‘very great’(1 Samuel 2:17) sin – on top of some other ‘“evil”’(1 Samuel 2:23) that they indulged in too. Yet Eli ‘“didn’t restrain them”’(1 Samuel 3:13) adequately, especially considering his position as priest and even national leader! So God held him partly responsible: ‘“‘Why do you kick at my sacrifice and at my offering, which I have commanded in my habitation, and honour your sons above me, to make yourselves fat with the best of all the offerings of Israel my people?’”’(1 Samuel 2:29) – clearly he was complicit, even fattening himself, and so became ‘an old man and heavy’(1 Samuel 4:18), ripe for judgement alongside his sons at the death of all three.

The root of Eli’s problem was his heart attitude regarding these sons, compared with towards God, indulging them through inadequate discipline, alongside inadequate respect for God, i.e. honouring ‘“‘your sons above me’”’ in God’s sight. God is interested in family WORSHIP – not FAMILY worship. Stark statements are appropriate in this regard, like Jesus’ comment: ‘“He who loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and he who loves son or daughter more than me isn’t worthy of me”’(Matthew 10:37, cf. Luke 14:26!). Nevertheless, being second to someone who worships God should work out better than being worshipped by someone who doesn’t…

No doubt Eli’s sons could have fared better had he used appropriate godly ‘Discipline’(Proverbs 19:18): ‘All chastening seems… grievous; yet… it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those… trained by it’(Hebrews 12:11). More widely, putting God and His ways first includes learning that anyone who doesn’t show proper consideration for family members ‘and especially his own household… has denied the faith, and is worse than an unbeliever’(1 Timothy 5:8). So taking family responsibilities seriously is especially important for the Christian.

However, this must be balanced against other scriptures that commend forgoing, in various ways, relationships with ‘“brothers… sisters… father… mother… wife, or children”’(Matthew 19:29, cf. 1 Corinthians 7:32-35 & Matthew 8:22&15:3-9) for the Lord’s sake – yet noting the commandment in that last comparative reference! (although the Ten Commandments’ order is relevant too). So it’s nuanced, every situation requiring careful consideration and ‘wisdom’(James 1:5). Generally, however, Christians’ ‘behaviour’(1 Peter 3:1ff.) regarding such things should be exemplary and winsome, whether various family members are in the Lord already or not, yet always honouring to the Lord, putting Him first – in this all should be blessed.

Nevertheless, our ‘God first’ attitude might not be appreciated or understood, and might even be taken as offensive. Faith is not hereditary and, as Jesus warned, despite our best efforts we might find ourselves belonging to a ‘“house divided”’(Luke 12:52ff.). Either way, we can stand with our brother Jesus and say ‘“whoever does the will of my Father who is in heaven, he is my brother, and sister, and mother”’(Matthew 12:50), both now ‘“and in the age to come”’(Mark 10:30).

Please feel free to share this via social media etc.

(or anywhere else)

by copying/pasting its URL link: https://etheldreda.net/1-samuel_2_29/

&
if you’re on Xtwitter,
please do let me know @etheldredanet

(This website currently does not have social media share buttons, to avoid using cookies – see Privacy Policy.)