SEV Biblia, Chapter 2:22
Elí empero era muy viejo, y oía todo lo que sus hijos hacían a todo Israel, y cómo dormían con las mujeres que velaban a la puerta del tabernáculo del testimonio.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 2:22
Verse 22. They lay with the women that assembled] It is probable that these were persons who had some employment about the tabernacle. See the note on Exod. xxxviii. 8, where the Hebrew text is similar to that in this place.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 22. Now Eli was very old , etc.] It is very probable he was now about ninety years of age, since when he died he was ninety eight, ( 1 Samuel 4:15) which is observed to show his incapacity for the discharge of his office, and inspection into public affairs; which gave his sons opportunity of acting the wicked part they did without reproof, and with impunity, Eli knowing nothing of it; and accounts in some measure for the gentle reproof he gave them, when he did know of it; for being old, he was not so full of spirit and vigour, and more given to tenderness and mercy; besides, his sons were grown up and married, and he had less authority over them; though he ought to have considered himself not as a father only, but as an high priest and judge of Israel, and performed his office as such; however, it must be a great affliction to him in his old age, and added to the weight of it, that his sons should behave so unworthily as they did: and heard all that his sons had done unto Israel ; who, besides what was by the law allowed them, took flesh out of the pot as it was boiling, and demanded raw flesh to roast before the fat was offered to the Lord; and in this manner they used all, without distinction, that came with their sacrifices: and how they lay with the women that assembled at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation ; not that they lay with them at the door in a public beastly manner; but the women that came thither they decoyed into their own apartments, or into some of the courts of the tabernacle, and there debauched them: who these women were, and what their business at the tabernacle, is not easy to say; some think they came about business which belonged to women to do there, as to wash and clean the rooms, to sew and spin, and the like; but one would think that these latter works should be done, not at the door of the tabernacle, but in some apartment in it, or rather at their own houses, for the use of it: the Targum is, that they there assembled to pray, which is more likely, and that they were devout women; who came there in large numbers, for the word used has the signification of armies; to perform religious exercises in fasting, and praying, and bringing sacrifices to be offered for them; though they do not seem to be such, as was Anna the prophetess, ( Luke 2:37) who made their abode in the tabernacle, and served God night and day with fastings and prayers, since these were only at the door of the tabernacle; nor were there in the tabernacle conveniences for such persons, as afterwards in the temple. The Jews, for the most part, by these understand new mothers, who came with their offerings for purification, attended with many other women, their relations, friends, and neighbours, and which especially, when several met together on such an occasion, made a crowd at the door of the tabernacle; and some are of opinion that these men did not lie with them, or debauch them, according to the literal sense of the word; but that they delayed the offering of their nests of doves they brought, so that they were forced to stay all night, and could not return home; and because by this means they were restrained from their husbands, it is reckoned as if these men had lain with them f48 ; and which they think is confirmed, in that the man of God sent to Eli, after mentioned, takes no notice of this lewdness of theirs, only of their ill behaviour as to sacrifices, but the text is so express for their debauchery, that it cannot be denied.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 11-26 - Samuel, being devoted to the Lord in a special manner, was from a chil employed about the sanctuary in the services he was capable of. As he did this with a pious disposition of mind, it was called ministerin unto the Lord. He received a blessing from the Lord. Those young people who serve God as well as they can, he will enable to improve, that the may serve him better. Eli shunned trouble and exertion. This led him to indulge his children, without using parental authority to restrain an correct them when young. He winked at the abuses in the service of the sanctuary till they became customs, and led to abominations; and his sons, who should have taught those that engaged in the service of the sanctuary what was good, solicited them to wickedness. Their offenc was committed even in offering the sacrifices for sins, which typifie the atonement of the Saviour! Sins against the remedy, the atonemen itself, are most dangerous, they tread under foot the blood of the covenant. Eli's reproof was far too mild and gentle. In general, non are more abandoned than the degenerate children of godly persons, when they break through restraints.
Original Hebrew
ועלי 5941 זקן 2204 מאד 3966 ושׁמע 8085 את 853 כל 3605 אשׁר 834 יעשׂון 6213 בניו 1121 לכל 3605 ישׂראל 3478 ואת 853 אשׁר 834 ישׁכבון 7901 את 854 הנשׁים 802 הצבאות 6633 פתח 6607 אהל 168 מועד׃ 4150
