(Galatians 3:11-14). Results of Parental Unfaithfulness—The history of Eli is a terrible example of the results of parental unfaithfulness. Through his neglect of duty, his sons became a snare to their fellow men and an offense to God, forfeiting not only the present but the future life. Their evil example destroyed hundreds, and the influence of these hundreds corrupted the morals of thousands. This case should be a warning to all parents. While some err upon the side of undue severity, Eli went to the opposite extreme. He indulged his sons to their ruin. Their faults were overlooked in their childhood, and excused in their days of youth. The commands of the parents were disregarded, and the father did not enforce obedience. The children saw that they could hold the lines of control, and they improved the opportunity. As the sons advanced in years, they lost all respect for their fainthearted father. They went on in sin without restraint. He remonstrated with them, but his words fell unheeded. Gross sins and revolting crimes were daily committed by them, until the Lord Himself visited with judgment the transgressors of His law. {2BC 1009.8}

(Kp. 3,11-14). Resultaterne af forældres upålidelighed. - Elis beretning er et forfærdeligt eksempel på resultatet af forældres upålidelighed. På grund af hans pligtsforsømmelse, blev hans sønner en snare for deres medmennesker og en forhånelse mod Gud, forbrød ikke kun det nuværende liv men også det fremtidige liv. Deres onde eksempel udslettede hundredvis, og indflydelsen fra disse hundreder fordærvede tusinders moral. Dette tilfælde bør være en advarsel til alle forældre. Medens nogle fejler med upassende strenghed, gik Eli til den modsatte yderlighed. Han føjede sine sønner til deres ruin. Deres fejl blev overset i deres barndom, og undskyldt i deres ungdoms dage. Forældrenes påbud blev ignoreret, og faderen gennemtvang ikke lydighed. (1010) Børnene så at de kunne styre det hele, og de udnyttede enhver anledning. Idet sønnerne blev ældre, mistede de al respekt for deres forsagte fader. De fortsatte i synd uden at blive tøjlet. Han protesterede over for dem, men der blev ikke givet agt på hans ord. Der blev dagligt begået store synder og modbydelige forbrydelser imod dem, indtil Herren selv hjemsøgte overtræderne af Hans lov med domme.