Chapter
Verse

1 Samuel 2:24

ESV No, my sons; it is no good report that I hear the people of the LORD spreading abroad.
NIV No, my sons; the report I hear spreading among the LORD's people is not good.
NASB No, my sons; for the report is not good which I hear the Lord’S people circulating.
CSB No, my sons, the news I hear the Lord's people spreading is not good.
NLT You must stop, my sons! The reports I hear among the Lord’s people are not good.
KJV Nay, my sons; for it is no good report that I hear: ye make the LORD'S people to transgress.

What does 1 Samuel 2:24 mean?

Hophni and Phinehas are sons of the priest, Eli. Eli is interrogating them over abusing their positions as priests over Israel. They were meant to be mediators between God and His people, instead they practice evil (1 Samuel 2:23). They have not hidden their practice of taking extra portions of the sacrifices for their own meat (1 Samuel 2:12–17) or sleeping with women who serve outside the tent of meeting (1 Samuel 2:22).

In fact, Eli tells his sons that the report of their behavior is spreading far and wide. They have become infamous for corrupting worship at the sanctuary in Shiloh. Eli frames his words it bluntly: that he hears "no good" report at first seems to mean all he is being told about the sons is negative. That's possible, but in the immediate context, Eli is simply noting how this news is extremely bad; there is nothing redeemable about the situation. Eli understands what his sons clearly do not; they have never come to "know the Lord" in the sense of sincerely trusting in the God of Israel (2 Samuel 2:12). Eli knows that God holds the priests of Israel responsible for their service to Him. Why, or if, Eli did not sufficiently guide his sons prior to this rebuke is not clearly stated.
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