The promise had been made that the house of Aaron should walk before God forever; but this promise had been made on condition that they should devote themselves to the work of the sanctuary with singleness of heart and honor God in all their ways, not serving self nor following their own perverse inclinations. Eli and his sons had been tested, and the Lord had found them wholly unworthy of the exalted position of priests in His service. And God declared, "Be it far from Me." He could not 580 accomplish the good that He had meant to do them, because they failed to do their part.

Gud havde givet det løfte, at Arons hus skulle færdes for hans åsyn for stedse, men det var givet på den betingelse, at de varetog helligdomstjenesten med et udelt hjerte, ærede Gud i alt, hvad de foretog sig, ikke plejede deres egne interesser og ikke fulgte deres egne onde tilbøjeligheder. Da Eli og hans sønner blev sat på prøve, fandt Herren dem fuldstændig uværdige til at beklæde det høje embede som præster i hans tjeneste. Gud sagde: "Det være langt fra mig!" Han kunne ikke skænke dem de velsignelser, som han ville have givet dem, fordi de ikke havde opfyldt deres del af pagten.