1 Samuel 2 Footnotes

2:25 Did God prevent Hophni and Phinehas from repenting in order to do away with them? It was the wicked inclinations of these two sons of Eli that kept them from repenting. Their obstinacy required that the Lord, who hates and punishes sin, would bring fatal retribution upon them. The Hebrew phrase translated as “the LORD intended” literally means “the LORD was pleased.” While the Lord takes no pleasure in the death of those who sin (Ezk 18:32; 33:11; 2Pt 3:9), at the same time he delights in bringing justice to the order of human society. Justice is a central trait in God’s character (Ex 34:7; Ps 33:5), and its implementation brings satisfaction to him. Some of the same considerations that apply to the Lord’s hardening of Pharaoh’s heart (Ex 4:21) apply here.