Next is  a breakdown of the values and life priorities displayed by Eli and his two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, in 1 Samuel 1–4, especially highlighting their distorted character traits, misused leadership, and how this forms a cautionary model—what you’ve called the “Boys Club” style of ministry.

 THE VALUES & LIFE PRIORITIES OF THE “BOYS CLUB” IN 1 SAMUEL

The story of Eli and his sons in 1 Samuel serves as a stark example of Levitical Patriarchy (LP) in action within high ministry leadership. Eli, the high priest, is seen as a figurehead of authority in Israel, but his failure to hold his sons accountable for their sin, abuse of power, and disregard for God’s law is a tragic picture of spiritual failure and the corrupting influence of unchecked authority.

Here are key scriptures from 1 Samuel that define the LP Boys’ Club in high ministry through Eli’s leadership, especially by their fruit:

1. Eli’s Role and His Sons’ Abuse of Power (1 Samuel 2:12-17)

• 1 Samuel 2:12-17 (KJV):
  “Now the sons of Eli were sons of Belial; they knew not the Lord. And the priests’ custom with the people was, that, when any man offered sacrifice, the priest’s servant came, while the flesh was in seething, with a flesh-hook of three teeth in his hand; and he struck it into the pan, or kettle, or caldron, or pot; all that the flesh-hook brought up the priest took for himself. So they did in Shiloh unto all the Israelites that came thither. Also before they burnt the fat, the priest’s servant came, and said to the man that sacrificed, Give flesh to roast for the priest; for he will not have sodden flesh of thee, but raw. And if any man said unto him, Let them not fail to burn the fat presently, and then take as much as thy soul desireth; then he would answer him, Nay; but thou shalt give it me now: and if not, I will take it by force. Wherefore the sin of the young men was very great before the Lord: for men abhorred the offering of the Lord.”

• Fruit/Analysis: Eli’s sons, Hophni and Phinehas, were corrupt in their roles as priests. They exploited their position for personal gain, dishonoring God and the offerings brought by the people. Their actions represent a “Boys’ Club” mentality, where the boys (sons of Eli) used their family’s power and position to bully and abuse others, with little to no consequence. They sought control, using their positions to manipulate others for selfish purposes—similar to how some modern high ministry leaders abuse their power without accountability.

• The key detail of Eli’s sons sleeping with the women at the tabernacle is crucial in understanding the depth of their corruption and the LP Boys’ Club mentality. Here is the missing scripture with that detail:

  • 1 Samuel 2:22 (KJV)
    “Now Eli was very old, and heard all that his sons did unto all Israel; and how they lay with the women that assembled at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.”

  This incident underscores the moral failure of Eli’s sons and the spiritual corruption within the priesthood under his watch, highlighting their abuse of power and exploitation of women.

2. Eli’s Inability to Correct His Sons (1 Samuel 2:22-25)

• 1 Samuel 2:22-25 (KJV):
  “Now Eli was very old, and heard all that his sons did unto all Israel; and how they lay with the women that assembled at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation. And he said unto them, Why do ye such things? for I hear of your evil dealings by all this people. Nay, my sons; for it is no good report that I hear: ye make the Lord’s people to transgress. If one man sin against another, the judge shall judge him: but if a man sin against the Lord, who shall intreat for him? Notwithstanding they hearkened not unto the voice of their father, because the Lord would slay them.”

• Fruit/Analysis: Eli’s sons engaged in gross immorality, abusing their roles as priests to fornicate with women at the tabernacle. Eli, though aware, only rebuked them in a weak, passive way. His failure to enforce proper discipline or remove them from their position reflects the passivity and permissiveness that often accompanies Levitical Patriarchy—where authority figures fail to take serious action against corruption in ministry. The boys are allowed to continue their sinful ways because the patriarchal leadership structure is more concerned with maintaining the status quo and protecting family ties than with true holiness and accountability.

3. The Consequences of Eli’s Failure to Correct His Sons (1 Samuel 2:27-36)

• 1 Samuel 2:27-36 (KJV):
  “And there came a man of God unto Eli, and said unto him, Thus saith the Lord, Did I plainly appear unto the house of thy father, when they were in Egypt in Pharaoh’s house? And did I choose him out of all the tribes of Israel to be my priest, to offer upon mine altar, to burn incense, to wear an ephod before me? and did I give unto the house of thy father all the offerings made by fire of the children of Israel? Wherefore kick ye at my sacrifice and at mine offering, which I have commanded in my habitation; and honourest thy sons above me, to make yourselves fat with the chiefest of all the offerings of Israel my people? Wherefore the Lord God of Israel saith, I said indeed that thy house, and the house of thy father, should walk before me for ever: but now the Lord saith, Be it far from me; for them that honour me I will honour, and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed.”

• Fruit/Analysis: Here, the man of God delivers a harsh judgment against Eli. God accuses Eli of honoring his sons above the Lord—a classic trait of the LP Boys’ Club. Eli’s favoritism and lack of discipline for his sons ultimately cost his family the priesthood. This represents the toxic environment where the patriarchs (like Eli) are so focused on preserving their family legacy or personal interests that they fail to protect God’s holiness and justice. The boys (Hophni and Phinehas) are allowed to continue their evil deeds, and God eventually rejects Eli’s entire household as a result.

4. The Prophecy of Judgment on Eli’s Family (1 Samuel 3:11-14)

• 1 Samuel 3:11-14 (KJV):
  “And the Lord said to Samuel, Behold, I will do a thing in Israel, at which both the ears of every one that heareth it shall tingle. In that day I will perform against Eli all things which I have spoken concerning his house: when I begin, I will also make an end. For I have told him that I will judge his house for ever for the iniquity which he knoweth; because his sons made themselves vile, and he restrained them not. And therefore I have sworn unto the house of Eli, that the iniquity of Eli’s house shall not be purged with sacrifice nor offering for ever.”

• Fruit/Analysis: Eli’s failure to restrain his sons’ wickedness directly leads to God’s judgment upon his household. The prophecy declares that Eli’s line will be cut off forever because of their sin and his failure to correct it. The sons’ vile behavior and Eli’s inability to confront it were a direct result of a corrupt leadership structure where unaccountable men used their power for their own gain. In the context of the LP Boys’ Club, this is exactly what happens—when leadership is dominated by men who have untouchable power and unchecked authority, they fail to uphold the standards of righteousness.

Key Points About the LP Boys’ Club from Eli’s Example:

1. Exploitation of Power: Eli’s sons used their position of authority as priests to abuse, exploit, and control the people of Israel. This mirrors the LP Boys’ Club, where those in power use their position for personal gain.

2. Failure to Discipline: Eli failed to hold his sons accountable for their sins, choosing to turn a blind eye to their behavior. This is common in patriarchal structures where leaders are passive or permissive in the face of corruption.

3. Favoritism and Protecting the Status Quo: Eli’s prioritization of his family’s reputation and his failure to sacrifice for the sake of righteousness shows how the Boys’ Club can function: protecting the interests of the patriarch and his family above what is right in the eyes of God.

4. Consequences of Unchecked Authority: The final judgment on Eli’s household is a clear warning: when patriarchal leadership is allowed to reign unchecked, the consequences are severe—not just for the leadership, but for the entire ministry or church.

The fruit of this kind of leadership is seen in the downfall of Eli’s line and the ultimate judgment of God upon his family. This should serve as a strong warning to modern-day ministries that practice unchecked patriarchal authority and leadership, showing the dangers of the LP Boys’ Club mentality.