Bible Strands
1 Samuel 3:13
I told him that I would judge his house forever for the iniquity of which he knows, because his sons blasphemed God and he did not restrain them.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — God speaks this declaration to the young prophet Samuel during a nighttime vision, immediately after revealing the full scope of the coming judgment on Eli’s lineage. The moment marks the transition from divine warning to irrevocable pronouncement.
The words — The Hebrew שֹׁפֵט (sho.Fet) conveys the active sense of "about to judge," while עַד־עוֹלָם (ad-o.Lam) literally renders "until perpetuity." These terms anchor the pronouncement in a concrete, ongoing judicial act rather than a vague future threat.
The thread — The judgment echoes the earlier indictment in 1 Samuel 2:12 and 2:17, where Eli’s sons are condemned for treating the LORD’s offerings with contempt. The unending nature of the sentence is fixed in 1 Samuel 3:14, which explicitly bars sacrifice or offering as atonement.
Why it lands — The text demands recognition that spiritual leadership carries direct accountability for the conduct of those under one’s authority. It requires readers to acknowledge that divine judgment operates on established standards of reverence, not on familial status or later ritual attempts.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
For I have told him that I will judge his house for ever for the iniquity which he knoweth; because his sons made themselves vile, and he restrained them not.
Cross-references
- Proverbs 19:18 Discipline your son, for in that there is hope; do not be party to his death.
- 1 Samuel 2:12 Now the sons of Eli were wicked men; they had no regard for the LORD
- 1 Samuel 2:17 Thus the sin of these young men was severe in the sight of the LORD, for they were treating the LORD’s offering with contempt.
- Matthew 10:37 Anyone who loves his father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me;
- Proverbs 23:13 Do not withhold discipline from a child; although you strike him with a rod, he will not die.
- Ezekiel 7:3 The end is now upon you, and I will unleash My anger against you. I will judge you according to your ways and repay you for all your abominations.
- Ezekiel 18:30 Therefore, O house of Israel, I will judge you, each according to his ways, declares the Lord GOD. Repent and turn from all your transgressions, so that your iniquity will not become your downfall.
- 1 Kings 1:6 (His father had never once reprimanded him by saying, “Why do you act this way?” Adonijah was also very handsome, born next after Absalom.)
- Proverbs 29:15 A rod of correction imparts wisdom, but a child left to himself disgraces his mother.
- 1 Kings 2:44 The king also said, “You know in your heart all the evil that you did to my father David. Therefore the LORD will bring your evil back upon your head.