1 Samuel 2:12 - The Message12-17 Eli’s own sons were nothing but trouble. They didn’t know God and could not have cared less about the customs of priests among the people. Ordinarily, when someone offered a sacrifice, the priest’s servant was supposed to come up and, while the meat was boiling, stab a three-pronged fork into the cooking pot. The priest then got whatever came up on the fork. But this is how Eli’s sons treated all the Israelites who came to Shiloh to offer sacrifices to God. Before they had even burned the fat to God, the priest’s servant would interrupt whoever was sacrificing and say, “Hand over some of that meat for the priest to roast. He doesn’t like boiled meat; he likes his rare.” If the man objected, “First let the fat be burned—God’s portion!—then take all you want,” the servant would demand, “No, I want it now. If you won’t give it, I’ll take it.” It was a horrible sin these young servants were committing—and right in the presence of God!—desecrating the holy offerings to God. See the chapterMore versionsKing James Version (Oxford) 176912 Now the sons of Eli were sons of Belial; they knew not the LORD. See the chapterAmplified Bible - Classic Edition12 The sons of Eli were base and worthless; they did not know or regard the Lord. See the chapterAmerican Standard Version (1901)12 Now the sons of Eli were base men; they knew not Jehovah. See the chapterCommon English Bible12 Now Eli’s sons were despicable men who didn’t know the LORD. See the chapterCatholic Public Domain Version12 But the sons of Eli were sons of Belial, not knowing the Lord, See the chapter |