1 Samuel 2:11-36 | Bible Study Questions

Read 1 Samuel 2:11-36
What characters do you see in this passage?
1. How are Eli's sons described?
2. How is Samuel described?
What does God rebuke Eli for? [v. 29]
What is one question that you'd like to have answered about this text?

What was wrong with what Eli's sons were doing in 1 Samuel 2:12-17?
1. Read Leviticus 3:12-17 (and if you have time read Leviticus 7:22-25)
  1. How does this shed light on the wrongdoing of Hophni and Phinehas?
2. What does this show you about their hearts toward God?
Contrast the sons of Eli with Hannah's son, Samuel. How are they similar and how are they different? [v. 21, 26]
1. What does it mean to "grow in stature and favor with God and man"? [cross reference Luke 2:52]
What is God doing to resolve the conflict with these bad priests and the people of Israel?
1. Who do you think is this "faithful priest" promised in 1 Samuel 2:35?
  1. Are there other possibilities of who it is? Do you think it could be fulfilled in multiple ways?

There are lessons we can learn and apply to our lives both from the wickedness of Eli's sons and from the promise of a future faithful priest.

Do you ever make excuses for not obeying God?
1. Are there commands of God that you ignore for selfish reasons?
2. What is something you can confess to others and recognize your need for forgiveness?
In what ways are you seeking to grow in your faith right now?
1. Read Hebrews 9:11-14
2. How does understanding the gospel, that Jesus the forever high priest, has redeemed us from our sin, give us strength to live for God?
Pray in light of this passage and any applications you've made.
Sing Where Shall I Be? to God and to one another.

Read 1 Samuel 2:11-36
What characters do you see in this passage?
1. How are Eli's sons described?
2. How is Samuel described?
What does God rebuke Eli for? [v. 29]
What is one question that you'd like to have answered about this text?

What was wrong with what Eli's sons were doing in 1 Samuel 2:12-17?
1. Read Leviticus 3:12-17 (and if you have time read Leviticus 7:22-25)
  1. How does this shed light on the wrongdoing of Hophni and Phinehas?
2. What does this show you about their hearts toward God?
Contrast the sons of Eli with Hannah's son, Samuel. How are they similar and how are they different? [v. 21, 26]
1. What does it mean to "grow in stature and favor with God and man"? [cross reference Luke 2:52]
What is God doing to resolve the conflict with these bad priests and the people of Israel?
1. Who do you think is this "faithful priest" promised in 1 Samuel 2:35?
  1. Are there other possibilities of who it is? Do you think it could be fulfilled in multiple ways?

There are lessons we can learn and apply to our lives both from the wickedness of Eli's sons and from the promise of a future faithful priest.

Do you ever make excuses for not obeying God?
1. Are there commands of God that you ignore for selfish reasons?
2. What is something you can confess to others and recognize your need for forgiveness?
In what ways are you seeking to grow in your faith right now?
1. Read Hebrews 9:11-14
2. How does understanding the gospel, that Jesus the forever high priest, has redeemed us from our sin, give us strength to live for God?
Pray in light of this passage and any applications you've made.
Sing Where Shall I Be? to God and to one another.