ELI, High-Priest, of the race of Ithamar, died in the year of the World 2888, before Jesus Christ 1112, before the Vulgar Æra 1116, after having been forty years Judge of 1 Sam. iv. 18.Israel; from the year of the World 2848, to 2888. He succeeded Abdon, and was himself succeeded by Samuel, in the government of the people: but in the High-Priesthood he was succeeded by his third son Abitub. While Eli judged the people, and governed them in all Affairs civil and religious, Samson performed the office of a Deliverer and Defender of Israel against their enemies, particularly against the Philistins.
How Eli came to the High-Priesthood, and how this dignity was transfer’d from Eleazar’s family to that of Ithamar, of which Eli was descended, is what we are not informed of. There are some who believe, that the High-Priesthood was conferred on Eli, by reason of the negligence, the minority, or want of proper qualifications in those of Eleazar’s family. Others assert, that this dignity was bestowed on him in consideration of his Office as Judge of Israel. It is certain, that this was not done without an express declaration of God’s will; as we may gather from the language of the man of God, who was sent to reproach him with the ill conduct of his sons: I chose the house of Aaron thy father to offer upon mine altar, and to exercise my Priesthood; wherefore therefore have ye trampled under foot my sacrifice, and honoured thy sons above me? Wherefore thus saith the Lord, I said indeed, that thy house, and the house of thy father should walk before me for ever: but now the Lord saith, Be it far from me; for them that honour me, I will honour; and they that despise me, shall be lightly esteemed. The prophet added, that the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, should die both in one day; that God would transfer the Priesthood to another family, and that Eli’s family should fall into contempt and indigence.
These predictions were verified, when in the reign of Solomon, the exercise of the High -Priesthood was taken from Abiathar, of 1 Kings ii. 26. In the year of the World 2990, before J. C. 1010, before the Vulg. Æra 1014. 1 Sam. ii. 12, 13, 22, 23. 1 Sam. ii. 27, 28.Eli’s family, and reserved to Zadoc only, who was of the race of Eleazar. Eli’s great fault was his negligence, and too great indulgence to his sons. He was not unacquainted with the disorders which they committed in the Tabernacle, and the scandal which they gave by their ill-conduct. But instead of punishing them, and removing them from the sacred ministry, he was satisfied with saying to them, Why do you all these things which I am informed of, and all the people talk of? Do so no more, my sons; it is very uneasy to me to hear that you induce the people of the Lord to violate his commands. If one man offends against another, God may be made propitious to him: but if a man sin against the Lord, who shall pray for him? But his sons did not hearken to the voice of their father; and when the prophet, above-mentioned, declared to him the calamities with which his family was threatned, we do not see that this kindled his zeal, or encreased his just severity to his sons.
1 Sam. iii. 1, 2, 3, &c. In the year of the World 2861. Samuel being born in 2849, was then twelve years of Age.God once more admonished him by Samuel, who was then a child, and said to him, Behold, I will do a thing in Israel, at which both the ears of every one that heareth it, shall tingle. In that day I will perform against Eli all things which I have spoken concerning his house: when I begin, I will also make an end. I will judge his house for ever; and his iniquity shall not be purged with sacrifice nor offering for ever. Eli having heard these things from the mouth of Samuel, made no other reply than this, It is the Lord, let him do what seemeth him good. God still defer’d the execution of his vengeance seven and twenty years, and it was the year 2888, before Jesus Christ 1112, before the Vulgar Æra 1116, when the sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were put to the sword by the Philistins, the Ark of the Lord was taken; and Eli himself, upon the receipt of this melancholy news, fell backward from 1 Sam. iv. 12, 18. Joseph. Antiq. l. vi. c. 7.his chair, and broke his neck. According to Josephus, and the most common opinion in this particular, he was succeeded by Ahitub his third son, as others will have it, by Ahiah. It is certain that Ahiah was High-Priest in the beginning of Saul’s reign. Several of 1 Sam. xiv. 18.the Ancients have been inclined to rank Samuel among the Jewish High-Priests, but it is very clear, that he was not of the priestly race, but of the stock only of the Levites.