Shmuel I Chapter 2 | Shmuel and the Sons of Eli

Throughout the chapter, two seemingly unrelated subjects alternate: the sins of Eli's sons and the arrival and integration of Shmuel into the services of God within the Mishkan. The intertwining of these themes appears intentional, emphasizing a contrasting comparison between the two. While Eli’s sons disgrace God’s offerings and exploit those coming to the Mishkan, Shmuel embodies the opposite: "Meanwhile, young Shmuel was growing in stature and favor with the Lord and with people alike" (2:26).

The emphasis on Shmuel's favorable growth in the eyes of both God and people reflects two significant themes — one very clear and the other more subtle:

In relation to Eli and his sons: Back in Chapter 1, we saw Eli rebuke Chana without just cause, in his attempt to uphold the sanctity of the Mishkan. In contrast, Chana expressed the opposite idea: the ability of a simple person, not of priestly descent, to approach God and pour out their heart. In this chapter, when Eli reproves his sons for their sins, he highlights his spiritual perspective: "If a man commits an offense against another man, God might intercede for him, but if a man commits an offense against the Lord - who will intercede for him?" (2:25). Eli underscores sin against God as the primary issue with their actions, rather than their transgressions against the people. His sons take this emphasis on the Mishkan even further, and, ironically, fail to serve selflessly, exploiting the Mishkan for personal gain at the expense of both the holiness and the people. Chana and her son Shmuel represent the antithesis: the ability of non-priestly individuals to connect with God and the Mishkan, emphasizing God’s word and interpersonal ethics as the ultimate goal over the Mishkan's services. As Shmuel himself later declares: "Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as obedience to the Lord’s voice? Behold, obedience is better than sacrifice, and compliance than the fat of rams" (Shmuel I 15:22). Rav Amnon Bazak elaborates and gives additional insights regarding the contrast between Eli's sons and Shmuel, which you can find below.

In comparison to Yosef: Peretz Segal, in the article here, highlights a fascinating parallel between Shmuel, chosen as Eli’s successor, and Yosef, destined to be Yaakov’s successor. Segal notes that the two figures are almost complete opposites: while Yosef, favored by his father and able to foresee the future through dreams, uses his gifts to gain superiority over his brothers, Shmuel, who matures as a respected figure and stands as an antithesis to the morally flawed sons of Eli, does not act arrogantly even for a moment. Even when he receives a prophecy of Eli’s house coming to an end, he hesitates to reveal it to Eli out of humility. Shmuel grows in stature and favor with both God and people – even those he was destined to replace because of their failures.