1 Kingdoms (1 Samuel) 2:27Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Whether they receive accolades, it will bring them no advantage in the life to come, but rather lead to greater condemnation; conversely, if they are belittled, they will experience no detriment in the eternal realm, and instead will gain a deeper justification. I express this for your benefit. When those in authority are held in high esteem by those beneath them, it becomes a burden, as illustrated when God told Elijah, I have chosen thee out of thy father's house; yet when they are disdained, as with Samuel, the Lord declared, They have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me (1 Samuel 8:7). Thus, insult serves their benefit, while honor weighs heavily upon them. I convey this not for their sake, but for yours. Whoever honors the priest also honors God, and one who is inclined to look down upon the priest may ultimately find themselves in a position to insult God.

But in our current time, who can sincerely reflect on this issue and fail to recognize its fulfillment? There is, indeed, no tabernacle, no temple, no altar, and consequently, no sacrifice, nor a priest ordained by God's law to come from the lineage of Aaron. This is highlighted by the prophet’s declaration: "Therefore thus saith the Lord, the God of Israel: I said then: 'Thy house and thy father's house shall walk before My face forever.' But now saith the Lord, Let it not be so; for I will glorify them that glorify Me, and they that glorify Me not shall be put to shame." It is clear that when referring to his father's house, he is not addressing the immediate father, but rather Aaron, the first priest, from whose lineage all subsequent priests were descended.