Have you ever looked at two kids raised in the same home, same church, same rules, and thought, “How did they turn out so different?” That’s what we see with Samuel and Eli’s sons. All three were raised in the tabernacle. All three were around the same spiritual things. But Samuel became a man of God, and Hophni and Phinehas got judged by God.
This isn’t just a Bible history lesson—it’s a warning. We all have a choice in how we use the position God gives us. Will we serve Him or serve ourselves?
Let’s look at how Samuel and Eli’s sons handled their roles, and then compare it to what the New Testament says to us today.
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1. Same House—Different Hearts
Eli’s sons were in the tabernacle every day, yet the Bible says they “knew not the LORD” (1 Samuel 2:12).
But Samuel, as a child, “ministered before the LORD” (1 Samuel 2:18).
They were close to the things of God but far from God Himself.
Jesus said in Matthew 15:8,
“This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.”
Just because someone grows up in church doesn’t mean their heart is right.
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2. One Served Himself—One Served the Lord
Hophni and Phinehas used their position to steal from the offerings (1 Samuel 2:16).
They were greedy.
Samuel served faithfully, just doing what he was told (1 Samuel 3:1).
1 Peter 5:2 says, “Feed the flock of God… not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind.”
Ministry isn’t about what we can get. It’s about what we can give.
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3. One Was Dirty—One Was Clean
Eli’s sons committed immorality right at the door of the tabernacle (1 Samuel 2:22).
They had no shame.
But nothing bad is ever said about Samuel’s character.
2 Timothy 2:21-22 says, “If a man therefore purge himself… he shall be a vessel unto honour… Flee also youthful lusts…”
God won’t use a dirty vessel. We’ve got to stay clean.
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4. One Ignored Warnings—One Obeyed God’s Voice
Eli warned his sons, but they didn’t listen (1 Samuel 2:25).
God Himself even sent a prophet to them, and still, they didn’t care.
But when God spoke to Samuel, he said, “Speak; for thy servant heareth” (1 Samuel 3:10).
Hebrews 3:15 says, “Today if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts…”
God still speaks, but it’s up to us to listen.
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5. One Hardened—One Humbled
Eli’s sons got harder and more stubborn with time.
But when God gave Samuel a hard message to deliver, he was afraid—but he obeyed (1 Samuel 3:15-18).
James 4:6 reminds us, “God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.”
God doesn’t bless a proud heart.
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6. One Was Judged—One Was Promoted
God said Hophni and Phinehas would die in one day, and they did (1 Samuel 4:11).
But Samuel grew, and God was with him (1 Samuel 3:19).
Galatians 6:7 says, “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.”
You can’t live wicked and expect God to bless it.
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7. One Broke Trust—One Gained It
Because of Eli’s sons, people hated the offering (1 Samuel 2:17).
But Samuel earned the respect of the whole nation (1 Samuel 3:20).
1 Timothy 4:12 says, “Be thou an example of the believers…”
A good testimony still matters.
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8. One Corrupted the House—One Helped Restore It
Eli’s sons made the Lord’s work look like a joke.
But Samuel helped bring the people back to God (1 Samuel 7:3).
Ephesians 4:12 says, “For the perfecting of the saints… for the edifying of the body of Christ.”
You either build the church or tear it down.
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They were raised in the same place—but they chose two very different paths.
Samuel feared God. Eli’s sons didn’t.
Samuel listened. Eli’s sons rebelled.
Samuel was used. Eli’s sons were removed.
You may be in a church. You might be in a place of leadership. But the real question is this:
Are you using your position for the Lord, or are you abusing it?
Let’s be like Samuel—faithful, clean, humble, and ready to hear the Lord.
