Eli’s family illustrates a problem that can arise with hereditary leadership. By law, Hophni and Phinehas, as Eli’s sons, become priests. They abuse their position for personal gain and pleasure (1 Samuel 2:12-17, 22-25). As grown men, they make their own choices and suffer the consequences. But God also is displeased with their father Eli who has additional responsibility as the high priest.
I declare to [Eli] that I am about to punish his house forever, for the iniquity that he knew, because his sons were blaspheming God, and he did not restrain them (1 Samuel 3:13).
1 Samuel 4 reports the tragic end of Eli and his sons (1 Kings 2:27). The focus moves to God’s choice of Samuel in whom are combined the roles of prophet, deliverer and judge with priestly functions (1 Samuel 3:20-21; 7:3-17; 12:11 cf. 1 Chronicles 6:27-33). Samuel’s sons Joel and Abijah also become judges. But they betray that trust, which causes the elders to demand a king. Though this insults God’s leadership, He permits the change (1 Samuel 8:1-9).