1 Samuel 2:23 - Clarke's commentary and critical notes on the Bible

And he said unto them, Why do ye such things? for I hear of your evil dealings by all this people. Why do ye such things! - Eli appears to have been a fondly affectionate, easy father, who wished his sons to do well, but did not bring them under proper discipline, and did not use his authority to restrain them. As judge, he had power to cast them immediately out of the vineyard, as wicked and unprofitable servants; this he did not, and his and their ruin was the consequence.