Hannah has birthed Samuel and dedicated him to the Lord. On the other hand, the sons of Eli were unbelievers (sons of Belial) who "knew not the Lord" in a spiritual sense. Of course, they had intellectual knowledge of him but did not know him in a salvific sense (1 Corinthians 1:21 and Judges 2:10). The key to salvation is always KNOWING the Lord in more than an intellectual sense.
These two priests dishonored God, despised God and "lightly esteemed" the work of God. Their sinful doings caused the people to abhor the offerings of the Lord. They purposely broke the Law and ate raw meat with the fat still intact. This is Samuel's environment yet Samuel kept his focus upon the Lord.
1 Samuel 2:18 But Samuel ministered before the LORD, being a child, girded with a linen ephod.
1 Samuel 2:26 And the child Samuel grew on, and was in favour both with the LORD, and also with men.
Samuel did not allow his circumstances, his upbringing or his environment to influence him to follow the wicked examples around him.
One day a man of God came to Eli and pronounced the judgement against Eli's wicked sons. Eli would get a sign when both his sons died in a one day. God would then raise up a faithful priest in their place. No one has an excuse to blame their spirituality or lack thereof on their upbringing--consider Samuel.
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