2:35 faithful priest. Although the priesthood had been promised to Aaron’s descendants in perpetuity (Exodus 29:9), this promise was conditioned on faithfulness, and Eli and his sons had forfeited this claim (I Samuel 2:30-31; 3:11-14). The promise of a faithful priest, with a sure house, is fulfilled only in Christ, “a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God” (Hebrews 2:17).