12 Now the sons of Eli were worthless men ; they did not know the Lord 13 and the custom of the priests with the people . When any man was offering a sacrifice , the priest's servant would come while the meat was boiling , with a three-pronged e fork in his hand . 14 Then he would thrust it into the pan , or kettle , or caldron , or pot ; all that the fork brought up the priest would take for himself. Thus they did in Shiloh to all the Israelites who came there . 15 Also , before they burned the fat , the priest's servant would come and say to the man who was sacrificing , "Give the priest meat for roasting , as he will not take boiled meat from you, only e raw ." 16 If the man said to him, "They must surely burn the fat first , and then take as much as you desire ," then he would say , "No , but you shall give it to me now ; and if not, I will take it by force ." 17 Thus the sin of the young men was very great before the Lord , for the men despised the offering of the Lord .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 1 Samuel 2:12-17
Commentary on 1 Samuel 2:11-26
(Read 1 Samuel 2:11-26)
Samuel, being devoted to the Lord in a special manner, was from a child employed about the sanctuary in the services he was capable of. As he did this with a pious disposition of mind, it was called ministering unto the Lord. He received a blessing from the Lord. Those young people who serve God as well as they can, he will enable to improve, that they may serve him better. Eli shunned trouble and exertion. This led him to indulge his children, without using parental authority to restrain and correct them when young. He winked at the abuses in the service of the sanctuary till they became customs, and led to abominations; and his sons, who should have taught those that engaged in the service of the sanctuary what was good, solicited them to wickedness. Their offence was committed even in offering the sacrifices for sins, which typified the atonement of the Saviour! Sins against the remedy, the atonement itself, are most dangerous, they tread under foot the blood of the covenant. Eli's reproof was far too mild and gentle. In general, none are more abandoned than the degenerate children of godly persons, when they break through restraints.