11 And Elkanah goeth to Ramath, unto his house, and the youth hath been serving Jehovah, 'in' the presence of Eli the priest;
12 and the sons of Eli 'are' sons of worthlessness, they have not known Jehovah. 13 And the custom of the priests with the people 'is': any man sacrificing a sacrifice—then hath the servant of the priest come in when the flesh is boiling, and the hook of three teeth in his hand, 14 and hath struck 'it' into the pan, or kettle, or caldron, or pot; all that the hook bringeth up doth the priest take for himself; thus they do to all Israel who are coming in, there, in Shiloh. 15 Also before they make perfume with the fat—then hath the priest's servant come in, and said to the man who is sacrificing, 'Give flesh to roast for the priest, and he doth not take of thee flesh boiled, but raw;' 16 and the man saith unto him, 'Let them surely make a perfume (as to-day) with the fat, then take to thee as thy soul desireth;' and he hath said to him, 'Surely now thou dost give; and if not—I have taken by strength.' 17 And the sin of the young men is very great 'in' the presence of Jehovah, for the men have despised the offering of Jehovah.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 1 Samuel 2:11-17
Commentary on 1 Samuel 2:11-26
(Read 1 Samuel 2:11-26)
Samuel, being devoted to the Lord in a special manner, was from a child employed about the sanctuary in the services he was capable of. As he did this with a pious disposition of mind, it was called ministering 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 they may serve him better. Eli shunned trouble and exertion. This led him to indulge his children, without using parental authority to restrain and 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 offence was committed even in offering the sacrifices for sins, which typified the atonement of the Saviour! Sins against the remedy, the atonement itself, are most dangerous, they tread under foot the blood of the covenant. Eli's reproof was far too mild and gentle. In general, none are more abandoned than the degenerate children of godly persons, when they break through restraints.