When we are discussing discipline, we are not just giving advice that can be taken or not. The story of Eli in the Bible shows us how much God is concerned about disciplining our children when they make mistakes. Eli was the high priest of Israel. It was his duty to not only instruct the people but to present sacrifices to God for forgiveness of sins. He had two sons, Phinehas and Hophni who “were wicked men; they had no regard for the Lord” (1 Samuel 2:12). God said He would judge the house of Eli forever “because of the sin he knew about; his sons made themselves contemptable and he failed to restrain them” (3:13).
Because Eli did not discipline his evil sons God fulfilled what He said would happen. All 3 of them died in one day. Discipline is serious business in the eyes of God!