Wherefore the sin of the young men was very great before the LORD: for men abhorred the offering of the LORD. Wherefore the sin of the young men was very great - That is, Hophni and Phinehas, the sons of Eli.
Men abhorred the offering - As the people saw that the priests had no piety, and that they acted as if there was no God; they despised God's service, and became infidels.
A national priesthood, when the foundation is right, may be a great blessing; but if the priesthood becomes corrupt, though the foundation itself stand sure, the corruption of the national manners will be the unavoidable consequence.