Definition: Now Eli was very old, and heard all that his sons did unto all Israel; and how they lay with the women that assembled [at] the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from 1 Samuel 2:22. It’s a bit complex, but we can understand it in simpler terms. Here's what it means: The Basic Idea: This verse describes a situation where a man named Eli was observing and understanding the behavior of his sons – particularly their relationships with women – while he was overseeing the Tabernacle of God in Israel. Let’s unpack it part by part: “Now Eli was very old…” - This tells us this is an older man, likely a leader or someone with experience. “…and heard all that his sons did unto all Israel…” – Eli listened to what his sons were doing – their actions and habits. He was observing them in the context of the entire nation of Israel. It’s like he was watching a large group of people at once. “and how they lay with the women that assembled [at] the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.” – This is the most important part. Eli heard that these sons were having sexual relationships while they were gathered in the Tabernacle . The “door of the tabernacle” refers to a specific area within the temple, which was a place for worship and gatherings. So, this verse describes a situation where these sons were engaging in inappropriate behavior while being part of a religious gathering. What’s the point? This story is important because it highlights: The importance of order and discipline: The Tabernacle was a sacred space dedicated to God. Eli's observation showed that there needed to be rules and guidelines in place to maintain this order and prevent problems. God’s watchful eye: It shows that God is always watching over His people, even when they are engaging in things that might seem inappropriate or troubling. In short, it describes a time when Eli was observing the behavior of his sons, specifically their sexual relationships while they were gathered together at the Tabernacle. --- Do you want me to: Explain any of these concepts further? Give you another verse from 1 Samuel?