(12) Now the sons of Eli were sons of Belial; they knew not the LORD.
I beg the Reader not to overlook the expression, they knew not the Lord; that is, they knew not the Lord in a way of communion and fellowship. They knew him in the outward hearsay account of their Maker, but not in a way of grace. And what an awful account doth the Lord himself give of all such ministers, in the day of judgment? See Matthew 7:22-23.