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We all have mentors whether from organic means or we intentionally seek them out. We develop our values many times based on the influence of those we grew up with. Much of the outcome of our lives is related to choices we have made based on those values. Even a good mentor can subtly effect us in adverse ways and our lives can in the end reflect those same short- comings as our mentor. Such is the case of Eli and Samuel.
The first book of Samuel tells the story of Hannah giving her son Samuel to be mentored by Eli the high priest. I’m sure Samuel learned many good things from Eli but being he grew up under Eli’s instruction as a young child, he subconsciously absorbed everything Eli exampled. We all grow up thinking everything is “normal”. It’s only later that we might realize that is not true.
Eli had two sons. They were rotten individuals, abused their position, and were a disgrace to the office of their father. Eli did nothing to correct them. God warned Eli that his inability to reign in his sons would end in disaster and it did. His sons were slain and on hearing the news Eli fell over and broke his neck.
Samuel also had two rotten sons. In typical father fashion he made sure his boys had power and influence. They also were not corrected. As the Bible puts it, his sons walked not in the ways of Samuel. I think this is why the people refused to obey the voice of Samuel and demand a king and why God told Samuel to hearken unto the voice of the people. Godly men have a duty to hold a high standard for their family. When Samuel said things the people knew that he was allowing his family to profit from their labor. This made them disregard what Samuel said. Samuel spoke for God which meant that they were disregarding the Words of the Lord.
Hypocrisy never sits well with those who are under your authority. A father should always take pause when considering exalting his children to a high position, but we see the example of Eli repeated over and over again. Somehow we forget that our children, cute as they may be, are sinners in need of a savior.