V.12 The two sons of the priest Eli were wicked men. Notice what it also says about them.
V.13-14 It seems that the customs, or the way the priests did things, replaced God’s instructions originally to Moses. Here were some.
V.12-17 God takes notice of the sin of those who were in the position of priests. Their selfishness and wickedness must be punished. The more a person knows, the more responsible he is, and the severer the punishment if he disobeys.
V.15-16 This was worse. The original Passover (Ex. 12), was the only occasion when the sacrificed lamb was to be roasted. All Passovers after were a memorial only of the first, and were to be boiled or cooked. Here the priest wanted to roast his part. Christ our Passover, died once. We have a memorial weekly of that death.
V.17 Notice how serious an offense this deed was “before the Lord.”
V.18-19 Samuel continues to go on with the Lord, even though there is so much evil around him. In a sort of way, young Samuel has taken the place of a priest. The priesthood was God’s established method by which a man could come near to God. But when the priesthood had failed, God can work in grace, and that is what He is doing here. God is showing how He can come close to man by His grace. His praying mother came to visit him, and watched him grow.
V.26 Samuel grew on, and pleased the Lord. The Lord can keep us from the wickedness that is all around us.
V.27-36 God has seen all that is going on, and there will soon be punishment for it.