I did actually read this Saturday, but didn't blog about it.
When I first read this chapter, I was a little shocked because I didn't understand the context. Coming into the story half-ways, it seemed like God waking up a little kid (Samuel) and telling him, "Your daddy (Eli) was bad, I'm going to make your daddy suffer..."
But, digging in a little more turns out Eli was Samuel's teacher, not his father. Moreover, Eli's kids (Hophni and Phinehas) were, in fact, pretty bad.
Seems like I filter most things through the lens of fatherhood these days and this chapter is no exception. It's definitely possible I'm making a bad inductive conclusion, but I can't help but think about how Eli was called out and held responsible (and seemingly resigned) for failing to properly teach or discipline his children. For parents, especially instilling a proper respect and reverence for the Lord is a big deal. At a minimum, keep kids from douchebaggery like stealing from the offering plate or using church positions as a way to pick up girls.
From another standpoint, this story reminds me of Jesus flipping out at the money changers and vendors inside church. God gets really, really mad when you use Him or use His home as a Trojan Horse for your own benefit.
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