Eli remonstrated with his sons, but did not act promptly in restraining them. The ease-loving, affectionate father was warned of God that retribution would follow his neglect, but even then he did not feel the importance of at once putting the disgusting evil away from Israel. He should have taken prompt measures himself; but instead of this he said, with remarkable submission: “It is the Lord: let Him do what seemeth Him good.” If he had been aroused to the full guilt of his neglect, Israel might have been saved from the humiliation of defeat, and the ark of God would not have fallen into the enemy’s hands. {4T 199.3}

Eli bebrejdede sine sønner, men satte ikke straks grænser for dem. Denne kærlige hengivne fader blev advaret af Gud at straf ville følge hans forsømmelse, men endnu engang nærede han ikke nødvendigheden at (200) straks bortlægge dette modbydelige onde fra Israel. Han burde straks selv have taget det rette mål; men i stedet for dette sagde han, med bemærkelsesværdig underdanighed: »Han er Herren; han gøre, hvad ham tykkes bedst!« Hvis han var blevet opvækket til hans forsømmelses fulde skyld, kunne Israel være blevet reddet fra nederlagets ydmygelse og Guds ark ville ikke være faldet i fjendens hænder.