The Son of Eli
Written on 4 April 2025.
The Son of Eli
A Story of One Who Escaped Fire
Eliab had always been counted among the sons of Eli. Not by birth, but by spirit. He was born into a priestly lineage, wearing robes he did not honor and quoting Scriptures he did not fear. Like Hophni and Phinehas, he treated the things of God with contempt. To the people, he was a man of God; behind closed doors, a son of Belial.
He mocked the sacrifices, took from the offerings, and made a show of holiness while living in hidden wickedness. He was proud of his family’s name and his temple status. He thought himself above judgment because of his heritage, just like the others.
But the word of the LORD was precious in those days.
And Eliab had heard it — not in dreams or visions, but through the pages of a dusty old King James Bible he had once stolen from a dying convert.
"And therefore I have sworn unto the house of Eli, that the iniquity of Eli's house shall not be purged with sacrifice nor offering for ever." (1 Samuel 3:14)
He had read that line a hundred times, mocking it. But one day, he read it again — and it struck differently.
A Crack in His Soul
It wasn’t that the verse changed. It was that the Spirit who authored it was now working in him. He had always assumed the verse meant there was no way back, no way out. But what he had missed — what no one in his house had taught him — was that salvation was never about heritage, offerings, or lineage.
It was about belief.
He began to tremble. Could it be that God was not unwilling to save them, but they were unwilling to believe? That all these years of pride, of comparing themselves among themselves, had been their undoing?
He began to weep in private. The others saw it as weakness. They mocked him, just like they mocked the prophets.
But one night, with no priest to guide him, no ceremony to carry him, Eliab dropped to his knees and said,
"Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, I believe on thee. Save me. I am undone."
And in that moment, the veil was lifted. The sin was gone. Not purged by sacrifice or offering, but by faith. He believed on the Lord Jesus Christ — and he was saved.
The House of Fire
The rest of the house did not follow. They laughed at his change. Called him weak. Called him a traitor. They clung to the altar but never came to the cross.
Eliab tried to warn them. He pleaded with them. But pride is a cruel master, and they would not believe. They trusted in their garments, their routines, their self-worth.
And when death came, they descended — still sons of Eli, still sons of Belial.
A New Father
Eliab became a stranger among his own. He was no longer of the house of Eli. His new name was written in heaven, and his new Father was the Lord himself.
He was mocked in this life, scorned in the streets of Shiloh. But he had peace. Not because of offerings. Not because of bloodlines. But because he had become a son of God by believing on the name of Jesus Christ.
"But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name." (John 1:12)
The Final Separation
On the day of judgment, the house of Eli stood accused. One by one, their works were weighed, and found wanting. The lake of fire opened its mouth — not because God was unwilling to save them, but because they had never believed.
Eliab stood apart — not because he was better, but because he had trusted Jesus Christ, the only one who could save him.
He was not purged with sacrifice or offering. He was washed by grace through faith.
And the voice of the Father echoed:
"This is my son."