1 Samuel 2:16
1 Samuel 2:16 in Multiple Translations
And if any man said to him, “The fat must be burned first; then you may take whatever you want,” the servant would reply, “No, you must give it to me right now. If you refuse, I will take it by force!”
And if any man said unto him, Let them not fail to burn the fat presently, and then take as much as thy soul desireth; then he would answer him, Nay; but thou shalt give it me now: and if not, I will take it by force.
And if the man said unto him, They will surely burn the fat first, and then take as much as thy soul desireth; then he would say, Nay, but thou shalt give it me now: and if not, I will take it by force.
And if the man said to him, First let the fat be burned, then take as much as you will; then the servant would say, No, you are to give it to me now, or I will take it by force.
The man might answer, “Let me first burn up all the fat, and then you can have as much as you want.” But the priest's servant would reply, “No, you must give it to me now. If you don't, I'll take it by force.”
And if any man saide vnto him, Let them burne the fatte according to the custome, then take as much as thine heart desireth: then hee would answere, No, but thou shalt giue it nowe: and if thou wilt not, I will take it by force.
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.'
If the man said to him, “Let the fat be burned first, and then take as much as your soul desires;” then he would say, “No, but you shall give it to me now; and if not, I will take it by force.”
And if any man said to him, Let them not fail to burn the fat presently, and then take as much as thy soul desireth; then he would answer him, No ; but thou shalt give it to me now: and if not, I will take it by force.
And he that sacrificed said to him: Let the fat first be burnt today according to the custom, and then take as much as thy soul desireth. But he answered and said to him: Not so: but thou shalt give it me now, or else I will take it by force.
If the man said to the servant, “Let the priests cut off and burn the fat first; then you can take what you want,” the servant would reply, “No, give it to me now; if you do not give it to me, I will take it forcefully!”
That man might answer, “Wait for me to burn the fat first. Then you can get the meat.” But the worker said, “No. Give it to me right now, or I will just take it from you.”
Berean Amplified Bible — 1 Samuel 2:16
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1 Samuel 2:16 Interlinear (Deep Study)
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Hebrew Word Reference — 1 Samuel 2:16
Study Notes — 1 Samuel 2:16
- Context
- Cross References
- 1 Samuel 2:16 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on 1 Samuel 2:16
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Samuel 2:16
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on 1 Samuel 2:16
- Trapp's Commentary on 1 Samuel 2:16
- Ellicott's Commentary on 1 Samuel 2:16
- Cambridge Bible on 1 Samuel 2:16
- Sermons on 1 Samuel 2:16
Context — Eli’s Wicked Sons
16And if any man said to him, “The fat must be burned first; then you may take whatever you want,” the servant would reply, “No, you must give it to me right now. If you refuse, I will take it by force!”
17Thus the sin of these young men was severe in the sight of the LORD, for they were treating the LORD’s offering with contempt. 18Now Samuel was ministering before the LORD—a boy wearing a linen ephod.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Leviticus 7:23–25 | “Speak to the Israelites and say, ‘You are not to eat any of the fat of an ox, a sheep, or a goat. The fat of an animal found dead or mauled by wild beasts may be used for any other purpose, but you must not eat it. If anyone eats the fat of an animal from which an offering made by fire may be presented to the LORD, the one who eats it must be cut off from his people. |
| 2 | Leviticus 3:16 | Then the priest is to burn the food on the altar as an offering made by fire, a pleasing aroma. All the fat is the LORD’s. |
| 3 | 1 Peter 5:2–3 | Be shepherds of God’s flock that is among you, watching over them not out of compulsion, but because it is God’s will; not out of greed, but out of eagerness; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. |
| 4 | Nehemiah 5:15 | The governors before me had heavily burdened the people, taking from them bread and wine plus forty shekels of silver. Their servants also oppressed the people, but I did not do this because of my fear of God. |
| 5 | Micah 3:5 | This is what the LORD says: “As for the prophets who lead My people astray, who proclaim peace while they chew with their teeth, but declare war against one who puts nothing in their mouths: |
| 6 | Judges 18:25 | The Danites said to him, “Do not raise your voice against us, or angry men will attack you, and you and your family will lose your lives.” |
| 7 | Micah 2:1–2 | Woe to those who devise iniquity and plot evil on their beds! At morning’s light they accomplish it because the power is in their hands. They covet fields and seize them; they take away houses. They deprive a man of his home, a fellow man of his inheritance. |
1 Samuel 2:16 Summary
In 1 Samuel 2:16, we see the priest's servants being very demanding and forceful when it comes to getting what they want from the people who are making offerings to God. This is not how God wants us to treat Him or each other, as we can see in verses like Matthew 20:26-28, where Jesus teaches that true greatness comes from serving others, not demanding our own way. Instead, we should strive to be like Samuel, who ministered to the Lord with humility and integrity, as seen in 1 Samuel 2:18. By trusting in God's goodness and provision, we can avoid the temptation to 'take by force' and instead learn to wait on Him and trust in His timing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of burning the fat first in 1 Samuel 2:16?
In the context of the Old Testament, burning the fat first was a way of honoring God and acknowledging His sovereignty, as seen in Leviticus 1:8-9, where the fat is to be burned as an offering to the Lord.
Why were the servants of the priest so demanding and forceful in 1 Samuel 2:16?
The servants of the priest were motivated by greed and a lack of respect for the offerings made to God, as stated in 1 Samuel 2:17, where it says their sin was severe in the sight of the Lord.
How does this verse relate to the broader theme of worship in the Bible?
This verse highlights the importance of proper worship and respect for God's offerings, as emphasized in Deuteronomy 12:5-7, where the Israelites are instructed to bring their offerings to the place the Lord chooses and worship with reverence and awe.
What can we learn from the contrast between the priest's servants and Samuel in 1 Samuel 2:16-18?
The contrast between the corrupt priests and the faithful Samuel serves as a reminder of the importance of integrity and humility in ministry, as seen in 1 Timothy 4:12, where leaders are called to set an example in their speech, conduct, and purity.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways I can ensure that my worship is pure and respectful, rather than self-serving or greedy?
- How can I balance the desire to serve God with the temptation to prioritize my own needs and desires?
- In what ways can I, like Samuel, minister to the Lord with integrity and humility, even in the face of corruption or wrongdoing around me?
- What are some areas in my life where I may be 'taking by force' or demanding my own way, rather than trusting in God's provision and timing?
Gill's Exposition on 1 Samuel 2:16
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Samuel 2:16
Matthew Poole's Commentary on 1 Samuel 2:16
Trapp's Commentary on 1 Samuel 2:16
Ellicott's Commentary on 1 Samuel 2:16
Cambridge Bible on 1 Samuel 2:16
Sermons on 1 Samuel 2:16
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
Honey - Water - Oil and Rocks by Walter Wilson | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of water as a universal element found in all living things. He refers to Ezekiel 47, where water flows from under the thresho |
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"He Being Dead Yet Speaketh" by David Wilkerson | David Wilkerson emphasizes the necessity of deep intimacy with God as the foundation of faith that pleases Him, drawing from the example of Abel in Hebrews 11. He explains that tru |
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"That They May Be one." by Art Katz | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of not treating the preaching of the word of God as a mere ceremonial duty. He criticizes the idea of paying someone to fill a |
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Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire-Iii Interview: Jim Cymbala by Jim Cymbala | In this video, Dr. Richard Land discusses the bias against conservatives and Christians in the national media, as detailed in Bernard Goldberg's book "Bias." He highlights the outr |
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(Titus - Part 6): Set in Order the Things That Are Wanting by A.W. Tozer | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the importance of organization and structure in the church. He uses the example of a man with a physical disability to illustrate the need for |
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(Through the Bible) 1 Chronicles 1-11 by Chuck Smith | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of farsightedness and not being deceived by immediate fulfillment offered by Satan. He warns against turning aside from God's |
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Rehoboam: If You Will Be Kind by Russell Kelfer | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the downfall of a young king who failed to lead with kindness. The sermon is divided into four parts, starting with the end of an era and the |







