"Them that honour me I will honour: and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed." --- 1 Samuel 2:30.
This is the part of the prophet's message to Eli, when he honoured his sons above God: he had indeed reproved them, saying, "Why do ye these things? for I hear of your evil doings by all the people." But he did not exert his authority in punishing them as they deserved when they slighted his reproof. This was accounted by God as winking at their sin. He therefore acquaints him that Hopphi and Phineas, as they had sinned together, should die together, and his posterity be cut off in the flower of their age, and from the high-priesthood.
Eli was not much affected with this prophecy, till the threatening was repeated by Samuel, an artless child, who did not know the voice of the Lord till Eli instructed him. It appeared then much more terrible than from the mouth of the prophet; and led him humbly to acknowledge the justice of God, and to submit to the sentence with a truly penitent heart. This is written for our admonition. Are we valient for the truth, regarding neither father nor mother, nor the most tender relation, where the interest and honour of our God is concerned? Parents, let this be a warning to you, to train up your children in the fear of the Lord.
The Lord Jehovah calls,
Be every ear inclined;
May such a voice awake each heart,
And captivate each mind.
Oh harden not your hearts,
But hear his voice to-day;
Lest ere to-morrow's earliest dawn,
He call your souls away.