2:27 man of God. In the Old Testament this designation is often used interchangeably with “prophet” (9:8–11; 1 Kin. 13:15–18; 2 Kin. 5:8; 6:10–12).

house of your father . . . in Egypt. Although Eli’s genealogy is nowhere recorded in the Old Testament, v. 28 implies that he was a descendant of Aaron. The assertion that the Lord revealed Himself and selected Eli’s house as far back as the period of Israelite servitude in Egypt underscores the gross ingratitude of the house of Eli.