Eli’s Sons

The passage you quoted, "But they would not listen to the voice of their father, for it was the will of the LORD to put them to death," is from 1 Samuel 2:25. This verse describes the fate of Eli's sons, who were wicked priests. Your question is whether grace is always offered, especially in light of such seemingly harsh outcomes.

Here's a Catholic perspective:

#### The Nature of Grace

Grace is a free and undeserved gift from God that helps us respond to His call to become His children [^3]. It is the divine assistance that enables us to attain supernatural goods, especially eternal life [^5] [^6]. God wills the good of nature to all creatures [^5]. Grace is a supernatural light, a special gift and a pledge of eternal salvation [^8].

#### Grace and Free Will

God offers grace to all, but it requires our cooperation and assent [^9]. Grace is not a rival to our freedom; rather, it enhances it when our freedom aligns with what is true and good [^7]. The more we are open to grace, the more we grow in inner freedom [^7].

#### God's Love and Justice

God loves all His creatures [^6]. However, love also involves wishing and doing good for the beloved. God's special love is seen in His assistance to those who seek the ultimate good, which is Himself [^10]. God does not will eternal life to the unworthy, and we are not worthy by nature [^5]. It is through God's grace that we are made worthy [^5].

#### Consequences of Rejecting Grace

While God offers grace, it can be rejected. The passage from 1 Samuel speaks to the consequences of rejecting God's will. Eli's sons repeatedly refused to listen to their father's correction and persisted in their wickedness. Their fate illustrates that persistent rejection of God's grace and will can lead to dire consequences.

#### Grace as a Continuous Offer

Grace is not a one-time offer but a continuous assistance from God [^6]. God continually directs us to our ultimate end through grace, which remains with us until we reach that end [^6].

#### Summary

God's grace is offered to all, enabling us to seek Him and achieve eternal life. However, this requires our free cooperation. The consequences faced by Eli's sons demonstrate that rejecting God's grace and persisting in sin can lead to severe outcomes. God's will to "put them to death" in the passage should be understood within the context of their repeated rejection of divine guidance.

[^1] [CCC 1996](https://www.magisterium.com/docs/0583c069-d4bf-42dd-97de-c19f0b80150f/ref/1996)

[^2] [Disputed Questions on Truth Q. 27, A. 1, C.](https://www.magisterium.com/docs/6d54f8cd-a225-4b49-9bb1-a74163743fe0/ref/Q.%2027,%20A.%201,%20C.)

[^3] [Summa Contra Gentiles Book III. Chap. 151](https://www.magisterium.com/docs/f4d77af9-2eed-4f54-9a5e-e1305afd6f53/ref/Book%20III.%20Chap.%20151)

[^4] [Imitation of Christ The Third Book On Inward Consolation, Chapter LIV.18](https://www.magisterium.com/docs/e48bc207-b61c-4229-a441-5604733fdaae/ref/The%20Third%20Book%20On%20Inward%20Consolation,%20Chapter%20LIV.18)

[^5] [Catechism of the Ukrainian Catholic Church: Christ – Our Pascha 745](https://www.magisterium.com/docs/5c0fb401-3c71-494e-bfce-ac8641dafd3b/ref/745)

[^6] [CCC 1742](https://www.magisterium.com/docs/0583c069-d4bf-42dd-97de-c19f0b80150f/ref/1742)

[^7] [Compendium of Theology (Compendium Theologiae) Part I - Chapter 143](https://www.magisterium.com/docs/627e2ffb-8c05-4912-aaff-c0d44c38ad81/ref/Part%20I%20-%20Chapter%20143)