1 Samuel 2:16

16 And [if] any man said to him, Let them not fail to burn the fat presently, and [then] take [as much] as thy soul desireth; then he would answer him, [No]; but thou shalt give [it to me] now: and if not, I will take [it] by force.

1 Samuel 2:16 Meaning and Commentary

1 Samuel 2:16

And if any man said unto him, let them not fail to burn the
fat presently
Or stay till they have offered the fat, as the Targum; let that be done in the first place, which may be quickly done, in a very little time, and let as much haste be made as can be to do it:

and then take as much as thy soul desireth;
by which it appears that the men that brought the sacrifice had more religion at heart, and were more concerned for the honour and glory of God than the priest; being willing to suffer in their property, but could not bear that the Lord should be dishonoured, and so rudely treated: they were willing the priests should take what they pleased of theirs, though they had no right to any; only they desired the Lord might be served first, which was but reasonable:

then he would answer him, nay, but thou shall give it me now, and if
not, I will take it by force;
signifying, he would not stay till the fat was burnt, and the Lord had his portion, but he would have it directly; and if he would not give it him freely, he would take it whether he would or not; to such a height of insolence and impiety were the priests arrived, as to put it in the power of their servants to make such wicked demands, and treat God, and those that brought their sacrifices to him, in such a contemptuous manner.

1 Samuel 2:16 In-Context

14 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 to all the Israelites that came thither.

15 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 boiled flesh of thee, but raw.

16 And [if] any man said to him, Let them not fail to burn the fat presently, and [then] take [as much] as thy soul desireth; then he would answer him, [No]; but thou shalt give [it to me] now: and if not, I will take [it] by force.

17 Wherefore the sin of the young men was very great before the LORD: for men abhorred the offering of the LORD.

18 But Samuel ministered before the LORD, [being] a child, girded with a linen ephod.