The first message God delivered to Samuel was of events that would tingle the ears of all who heard. He was a boy, frightened by what he heard and only when Eli’s pressured him to, did he reveal it. It wasn’t a new message. A man of God delivered the dire message to Eli previously. The prophet Amos wrote that God doesn’t do anything without revealing His secrets to the prophets, His servants. In these first few chapters of 2 Samuel, God gave a message of judgement, later confirmed and in His time, fulfilled it.
Judgement
God hates wickedness and He will judge it. The apostle Peter, states that it begins with God’s house. Eli’s son’s, God’s representatives to His people profaned the offering, and dishonoured the people of God. Eli knew of it and did nothing to restrain them. God said he would remove his house from their place in the the priesthood.
Confirmed
The message to Eli through the unnamed prophet was also confirmed when God spoke it to Samuel. No prophecy, according to Peter, comes from one’s own personal interpretation. It isn’t an act of man’s will. Rather it is people moved by the Holy Spirit. God confirmed the message by also giving it to Samuel.
Fulfilled
God fulfilled the prophecy, as He always does, in His own time. During a battle with the Philistines, rather than looking to God, the people of Israel looked to the ark of the covenant for their help. When it came into the camp, the people made such a noise that the Philistines, fearing for their lives, attacked them. The ark of the covenant was taken and Eli’s sons died. Eli, upon hearing the news, fell over backwards and died. His daughter-in-law gave birth and named her child Ichabod which means the glory of the Lord has departed. This was a sad ending to their highly esteemed positions in the priesthood. In these first few chapters of 1 Samuel, God gave a message of judgement, later confirmed and in His time fulfilled it.