Eli the High Priest faces the painful task of confronting his sons about the disturbing rumors surrounding their conduct in the Tabernacle. Knowing they will likely try to deny the accusations, he carefully crafts his rebuke to leave them no room for evasion.
Anticipating their defensive reaction, Eli addresses the nature of the rumors. Because it is human nature for crowds to exaggerate bad news, Eli frames his accusation with precision [מלבי״ם, אלשיך]. He tells his sons that even if they did not commit the exact, severe offenses the public accuses them of, they undoubtedly committed acts of similar ugliness. It is from these comparable misdeeds that their terrible reputation and the heavy public blame have grown. Regarding the terrible matters Eli brings up, commentators differ on his exact focus. One perspective [ביאור שטיינזלץ] suggests he is speaking directly about the wicked actions his sons have committed. Another approach [מצודת דוד] explains that he is referring to the harsh and negative things the public is saying about them.
Eli emphasizes that these reports are coming from the entire nation—specifically, the residents of Shiloh and the many people traveling to the Tabernacle to offer sacrifices [רד״ק, מצודת דוד]. He relies on the testimony of the masses for several strategic reasons. First, it prevents his sons from demanding the names of specific accusers, as the entire public is speaking with one voice [אברבנאל]. Furthermore, the sheer volume of the outcry proves the truth of the claims. If this were merely a false accusation, it is impossible that the entire nation would agree without a single person stepping forward to defend them [מלבי״ם]. Eli also makes it clear that these are not the idle rumors of reckless individuals, but the credible reports of respectable, honest people. Therefore, his sons cannot simply dismiss the voice of the crowd [אלשיך].
Beyond the immediate confrontation, Eli’s decision to frame his rebuke in the name of the general public offers a broader moral lesson in proper conduct. When a person hears praise about a friend, it is right to share it in the name of the specific individual who said it. However, when one must pass along criticism or shameful reports, it should be presented as coming from others in a general sense, just as Eli did when he told his sons that the reports were coming from all the people [אברבנאל].