Yahweh came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel said, Speak; for your servant hears.
"The iniquity of Eli's house shall not be expiated by sacrifice or offering forever"  (1 Samuel 3:14).  This seems to imply that Hophni and Phinehas, Eli's evil sons, fully expected that their sins could be removed by offerings and sacrifices.  However, no external act of worship is of any value unless it reflects a condition of repentance and sincerity on the part of the worshipper.  The arrogant, deliberate, and unrepentant attitude of Eli's sons meant that their punishment could not be averted.