Hophni
Summary
One of the wicked sons of Eli the priest, whose corruption and death fulfilled divine prophecy and marked the end of Eli's priestly line.
☩Wickedness
Hophni and his brother Phinehas served as priests at Shiloh but were 'worthless men' who did not know the LORD (1 Samuel 2:12). They took more than their portion of sacrifices by force, treating the LORD's offering with contempt (1 Samuel 2:13-17). They also lay with women who served at the tabernacle entrance (1 Samuel 2:22).
☩Judgment and Death
God sent a prophet to announce judgment on Eli's house (1 Samuel 2:27-36). Young Samuel received confirmation of this doom (1 Samuel 3:11-14). The judgment was fulfilled when Hophni and Phinehas died together in battle against the Philistines at Aphek, the same day the ark was captured (1 Samuel 4:4-11, 17). Their deaths also triggered Eli's death and the departure of God's glory from Israel.