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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>1 Samuel 2:18 Now Samuel was ministering before the LORD--a boy wearing a linen ephod.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/1_samuel/2-18.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/6/09_1Sa_02_18.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="1 Samuel 2:18 - Eli's Wicked Sons" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Now Samuel was ministering before the LORD--a boy wearing a linen ephod." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/1_samuel/2-18.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/1_samuel/2-18.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/1_samuel/">1 Samuel</a> > <a href="/1_samuel/2.htm">Chapter 2</a> > Verse 18</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad18.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/1_samuel/2-17.htm" title="1 Samuel 2:17">◄</a> 1 Samuel 2:18 <a href="/1_samuel/2-19.htm" title="1 Samuel 2:19">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/1_samuel/2.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/1_samuel/2.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />But Samuel was ministering before the LORD—a boy wearing a linen ephod.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/1_samuel/2.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />But Samuel, though he was only a boy, served the LORD. He wore a linen garment like that of a priest.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/1_samuel/2.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Samuel was ministering before the LORD, a boy clothed with a linen ephod.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/1_samuel/2.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Now Samuel was ministering before the LORD—a boy wearing a linen ephod.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/1_samuel/2.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />But Samuel ministered before the LORD, <i>being</i> a child, girded with a linen ephod.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/1_samuel/2.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />But Samuel ministered before the LORD, <i>even as</i> a child, wearing a linen ephod.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/1_samuel/2.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Now Samuel was ministering before the LORD, <i>as</i> a boy wearing a linen ephod.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/1_samuel/2.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Now Samuel was ministering before the LORD, as a boy wearing a linen ephod.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/1_samuel/2.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Now Samuel was ministering before the LORD, <i>as</i> a boy wearing a linen ephod.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/1_samuel/2.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Now Samuel was ministering before Yahweh, <i>as</i> a young boy girded with a linen ephod.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/1_samuel/2.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Now Samuel was ministering before the LORD, as a child dressed in a linen ephod [a sacred item of priestly clothing].<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/1_samuel/2.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Samuel served in the LORD’s presence —this mere boy was dressed in the linen ephod.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/1_samuel/2.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />The boy Samuel served in the LORD&#8217s presence and wore a linen ephod.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/1_samuel/2.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />But Samuel ministered before Jehovah, being a child, girded with a linen ephod.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/1_samuel/2.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />The boy Samuel served the LORD and wore a special linen garment <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/1_samuel/2.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />But Samuel ministered before the LORD, being a child, girded with a linen ephod.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/1_samuel/2.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Meanwhile, Samuel continued to serve in front of the LORD. As a boy he was [already] wearing a linen ephod. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/1_samuel/2.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />In the meantime the boy Samuel continued to serve the LORD, wearing a sacred linen apron. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/1_samuel/2.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Now Samuel was ministering in the LORD's presence, as a boy wearing a linen ephod.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/1_samuel/2.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Now Samuel was ministering before the LORD?a boy wearing a linen ephod.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/1_samuel/2.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Now Samuel was ministering before the LORD. The boy was dressed in a linen ephod.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/1_samuel/2.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />But Samuel ministered before the LORD, being a child, clothed with a linen ephod.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/1_samuel/2.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />But Samuel ministered before the LORD, being a child, girded with a linen ephod.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/1_samuel/2.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />But Samuel ministered before Yahweh, being a child, clothed with a linen ephod. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/1_samuel/2.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And Samuel is ministering [in] the presence of YHWH, a youth girt [with] an ephod of linen;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/1_samuel/2.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And Samuel is ministering in the presence of Jehovah, a youth girt with an ephod of linen;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/1_samuel/2.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And Samuel serving before Jehovah, a boy girded with an ephod of linen.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/1_samuel/2.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />But Samuel ministered before the face of the Lord: being a child girded with a linen ephod. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/1_samuel/2.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />But Samuel was ministering before the face of the Lord; he was a youth girded with a linen ephod.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/1_samuel/2.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Meanwhile the boy Samuel, wearing a linen ephod, was serving in the presence of the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/1_samuel/2.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Samuel was ministering before the LORD, a boy wearing a linen ephod.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/1_samuel/2.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />But the boy Samuel ministered before the LORD, and he wore a linen ephod.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/1_samuel/2.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And Samuel the boy was ministering before LORD JEHOVAH and was wearing an ephod of fine white linen<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/1_samuel/2.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />But Samuel ministered before the LORD, being a child, girded with a linen ephod.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/1_samuel/2.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And Samuel ministered before the Lord, a child girt with a linen ephod.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/1_samuel/2-18.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/H8oQfYUMRZg?start=487" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/1_samuel/2.htm">Eli's Wicked Sons</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">17</span>Thus the sin of these young men was severe in the sight of the LORD, for they were treating the LORD’s offering with contempt. <span class="reftext">18</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/8050.htm" title="8050: ū·šə·mū·’êl (Conj-w:: N-proper-ms) -- Name of God, a prophet of Isr. From the passive participle of shama' and 'el; heard of God; Shemuel, the name of three Israelites.">Now Samuel</a> <a href="/hebrew/8334.htm" title="8334: mə·šā·rêṯ (V-Piel-Prtcpl-ms) -- To minister, serve. A primitive root; to attend as a menial or worshipper; figuratively, to contribute to.">was ministering</a> <a href="/hebrew/854.htm" title="854: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- With (denoting proximity). Probably from 'anah; properly, nearness, near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc."></a> <a href="/hebrew/6440.htm" title="6440: pə·nê (N-cpc) -- Face, faces. Plural of an unused noun; the face; used in a great variety of applications; also as a preposition.">before</a> <a href="/hebrew/3068.htm" title="3068: Yah·weh (N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.">the LORD—</a> <a href="/hebrew/5288.htm" title="5288: na·‘ar (N-ms) -- A boy, lad, youth, retainer. From na'ar; a boy, from the age of infancy to adolescence; by implication, a servant; also, a girl.">a boy</a> <a href="/hebrew/2296.htm" title="2296: ḥā·ḡūr (V-Qal-QalPassPrtcpl-ms) -- To gird, gird on, gird oneself. A primitive root; to gird on.">wearing</a> <a href="/hebrew/906.htm" title="906: bāḏ (N-ms) -- White linen. Perhaps from badad; flaxen thread or yarn; hence, a linen garment.">a linen</a> <a href="/hebrew/646.htm" title="646: ’ê·p̄ō·wḏ (N-msc) -- Rarely oephod; probably of foreign derivation; a girdle; specifically the ephod or high-priest's shoulder- piece; also generally, an image.">ephod.</a> </span><span class="reftext">19</span>Each year his mother would make him a little robe and bring it to him when she went with her husband to offer the annual sacrifice.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/2-41.htm">Luke 2:41-52</a></span><br />Every year His parents went to Jerusalem for the Feast of the Passover. / And when He was twelve years old, they went up according to the custom of the Feast. / When those days were over and they were returning home, the boy Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem, but His parents were unaware He had stayed. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/28-1.htm">Exodus 28:1-3</a></span><br />“Next, have your brother Aaron brought to you from among the Israelites, along with his sons Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar, to serve Me as priests. / Make holy garments for your brother Aaron, to give him glory and splendor. / You are to instruct all the skilled craftsmen, whom I have filled with a spirit of wisdom, to make garments for Aaron’s consecration, so that he may serve Me as priest.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/3-5.htm">Numbers 3:5-10</a></span><br />Then the LORD said to Moses, / “Bring the tribe of Levi and present them to Aaron the priest to assist him. / They are to perform duties for him and for the whole congregation before the Tent of Meeting, attending to the service of the tabernacle. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/5-1.htm">Hebrews 5:1-4</a></span><br />Every high priest is appointed from among men to represent them in matters relating to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. / He is able to deal gently with those who are ignorant and misguided, since he himself is subject to weakness. / That is why he is obligated to offer sacrifices for his own sins, as well as for the sins of the people. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/3-1.htm">1 Samuel 3:1</a></span><br />And the boy Samuel ministered to the LORD before Eli. Now in those days the word of the LORD was rare, and visions were scarce.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_chronicles/23-13.htm">1 Chronicles 23:13</a></span><br />The sons of Amram: Aaron and Moses. Aaron and his descendants were set apart forever to consecrate the most holy things, to burn incense before the LORD, to minister before Him, and to pronounce blessings in His name forever.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/7-23.htm">Hebrews 7:23-28</a></span><br />Now there have been many other priests, since death prevented them from continuing in office. / But because Jesus lives forever, He has a permanent priesthood. / Therefore He is able to save completely those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to intercede for them. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/29-1.htm">Exodus 29:1-9</a></span><br />“Now this is what you are to do to consecrate Aaron and his sons to serve Me as priests: Take a young bull and two rams without blemish, / along with unleavened bread, unleavened cakes mixed with oil, and unleavened wafers anointed with oil. Make them out of fine wheat flour, / put them in a basket, and present them in the basket, along with the bull and the two rams. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/2-26.htm">1 Kings 2:26-27</a></span><br />Then the king said to Abiathar the priest, “Go back to your fields in Anathoth. Even though you deserve to die, I will not put you to death at this time, since you carried the ark of the Lord GOD before my father David, and you suffered through all that my father suffered.” / So Solomon banished Abiathar from the priesthood of the LORD and thus fulfilled the word that the LORD had spoken at Shiloh against the house of Eli.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/29-11.htm">2 Chronicles 29:11</a></span><br />Now, my sons, do not be negligent, for the LORD has chosen you to stand before Him, to serve Him, to minister before Him, and to burn incense.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/9-6.htm">Hebrews 9:6-7</a></span><br />When everything had been prepared in this way, the priests entered regularly into the first room to perform their sacred duties. / But only the high priest entered the second room, and then only once a year, and never without blood, which he offered for himself and for the sins the people had committed in ignorance.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/leviticus/8-30.htm">Leviticus 8:30</a></span><br />Next, Moses took some of the anointing oil and some of the blood that was on the altar and sprinkled them on Aaron and his garments, and on his sons and their garments. So he consecrated Aaron and his garments, as well as Aaron’s sons and their garments.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_peter/2-5.htm">1 Peter 2:5</a></span><br />you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/8-24.htm">Numbers 8:24-26</a></span><br />“This applies to the Levites: Men twenty-five years of age or older shall enter to perform the service in the work at the Tent of Meeting. / But at the age of fifty, they must retire from performing the work and no longer serve. / After that, they may assist their brothers in fulfilling their duties at the Tent of Meeting, but they themselves are not to do the work. This is how you are to assign responsibilities to the Levites.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_chronicles/6-49.htm">1 Chronicles 6:49</a></span><br />But Aaron and his sons did all the work of the Most Holy Place. They presented the offerings on the altar of burnt offering and on the altar of incense to make atonement for Israel, according to all that Moses the servant of God had commanded.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">But Samuel ministered before the LORD, being a child, girded with a linen ephod.</p><p class="hdg">ministered</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_samuel/2-11.htm">1 Samuel 2:11</a></b></br> And Elkanah went to Ramah to his house. And the child did minister unto the LORD before Eli the priest.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_samuel/3-1.htm">1 Samuel 3:1</a></b></br> And the child Samuel ministered unto the LORD before Eli. And the word of the LORD was precious in those days; <i>there was</i> no open vision.</p><p class="hdg">a line ephod</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_samuel/22-18.htm">1 Samuel 22:18</a></b></br> And the king said to Doeg, Turn thou, and fall upon the priests. And Doeg the Edomite turned, and he fell upon the priests, and slew on that day fourscore and five persons that did wear a linen ephod.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/28-4.htm">Exodus 28:4</a></b></br> And these <i>are</i> the garments which they shall make; a breastplate, and an ephod, and a robe, and a broidered coat, a mitre, and a girdle: and they shall make holy garments for Aaron thy brother, and his sons, that he may minister unto me in the priest's office.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/leviticus/8-7.htm">Leviticus 8:7</a></b></br> And he put upon him the coat, and girded him with the girdle, and clothed him with the robe, and put the ephod upon him, and he girded him with the curious girdle of the ephod, and bound <i>it</i> unto him therewith.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/1_samuel/2-11.htm">Boy</a> <a href="/1_samuel/2-11.htm">Child</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/22-5.htm">Dressed</a> <a href="/judges/18-20.htm">Ephod</a> <a href="/1_samuel/2-11.htm">House</a> <a href="/judges/14-13.htm">Linen</a> <a href="/1_samuel/2-11.htm">Ministered</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/17-12.htm">Ministering</a> <a href="/1_samuel/2-17.htm">Presence</a> <a href="/1_samuel/1-20.htm">Samuel</a> <a href="/ruth/3-15.htm">Wearing</a> <a href="/ruth/2-19.htm">Work</a> <a href="/1_samuel/2-11.htm">Youth</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/1_samuel/2-21.htm">Boy</a> <a href="/1_samuel/2-20.htm">Child</a> <a href="/1_samuel/17-5.htm">Dressed</a> <a href="/1_samuel/2-28.htm">Ephod</a> <a href="/1_samuel/2-20.htm">House</a> <a href="/1_samuel/22-18.htm">Linen</a> <a href="/1_samuel/3-1.htm">Ministered</a> <a href="/1_samuel/3-1.htm">Ministering</a> <a href="/1_samuel/2-21.htm">Presence</a> <a href="/1_samuel/2-21.htm">Samuel</a> <a href="/1_samuel/14-3.htm">Wearing</a> <a href="/1_samuel/6-9.htm">Work</a> <a href="/1_samuel/2-21.htm">Youth</a><div class="vheading2">1 Samuel 2</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/2-1.htm">Hannah's song in thankfulness</a></span><br><span class="reftext">12. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/2-12.htm">The sin of Eli's sons</a></span><br><span class="reftext">18. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/2-18.htm">Samuel's ministry</a></span><br><span class="reftext">20. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/2-20.htm">by Eli's blessing Hannah is more fruitful</a></span><br><span class="reftext">22. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/2-22.htm">Eli reproves his sons</a></span><br><span class="reftext">27. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/2-27.htm">A prophecy against Eli's house</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/1_samuel/2.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/1_samuel/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/1_samuel/2.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Now Samuel was ministering before the LORD</b><br>Samuel, though a young boy, was already serving in the tabernacle at Shiloh. This highlights the early dedication of Samuel to God's service, a result of his mother Hannah's vow. The phrase "ministering before the LORD" indicates that Samuel's service was not just to Eli, the high priest, but directly to God. This sets a precedent for the importance of serving God from a young age and foreshadows Samuel's future role as a prophet and judge over Israel. His service contrasts with the corrupt practices of Eli's sons, Hophni and Phinehas, emphasizing the purity and dedication required in true worship.<p><b>a boy wearing a linen ephod</b><br>The linen ephod was a priestly garment, typically worn by those serving in the tabernacle. Although Samuel was not from the priestly line of Aaron, his wearing of the ephod signifies his special role and dedication to God. This garment symbolizes purity and service, and its mention here underscores Samuel's unique position and foreshadows his future leadership. The ephod also connects to the priestly garments described in Exodus, highlighting the continuity of worship practices. Samuel's wearing of the ephod can be seen as a type of Christ, who is both priest and prophet, serving God with purity and dedication.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/s/samuel.htm">Samuel</a></b><br>A young boy dedicated to the Lord by his mother, Hannah, serving in the tabernacle under the priest Eli. Samuel is a significant figure in Israel's history, known for his prophetic ministry and leadership.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_lord.htm">The LORD</a></b><br>The covenant name of God, Yahweh, before whom Samuel ministered. This highlights the personal and relational aspect of Samuel's service.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/l/linen_ephod.htm">Linen Ephod</a></b><br>A priestly garment worn by Samuel, symbolizing his role and dedication to serving God. The ephod was typically worn by priests, indicating Samuel's special status even as a child.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/tabernacle.htm">Tabernacle</a></b><br>The central place of worship for the Israelites, where Samuel served. It was the dwelling place of God's presence among His people.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/e/eli.htm">Eli</a></b><br>The high priest at the time, under whose guidance Samuel ministered. Eli's own sons were corrupt, contrasting with Samuel's faithful service.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/f/faithful_service_begins_early.htm">Faithful Service Begins Early</a></b><br>Samuel's ministry as a young boy reminds us that age is not a barrier to serving God. We should encourage and nurture the spiritual gifts and callings of young people in our communities.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/symbolism_of_the_ephod.htm">Symbolism of the Ephod</a></b><br>The linen ephod represents purity and dedication. As believers, we are called to "put on" Christ and live lives that reflect His holiness and service.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/contrasting_faithfulness.htm">Contrasting Faithfulness</a></b><br>Samuel's faithful service stands in stark contrast to the corruption of Eli's sons. This serves as a reminder of the importance of integrity and faithfulness in our walk with God.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_presence_in_service.htm">God's Presence in Service</a></b><br>Serving "before the LORD" emphasizes the importance of recognizing God's presence in our daily acts of service. Our work should be done as unto the Lord, with reverence and dedication.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_1_samuel_2.htm">Top 10 Lessons from 1 Samuel 2</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/did_david_dance_nude_before_the_lord.htm">Did David dance nude before the Lord?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_david_wear_an_ephod_legally.htm">In 1 Chronicles 15:27, David wears an ephod traditionally reserved for priests—how do we explain this apparent merging of royal and priestly roles without violating Mosaic Law? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_to_effectively_minister_to_god.htm">How do we minister to the Lord effectively?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_to_reconcile_2_sam_10_18_and_1_chr_19_18.htm">How do we reconcile the discrepant figures between 2 Samuel 10:18 and 1 Chronicles 19:18 regarding the number of charioteers and horsemen defeated by David?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/1_samuel/2.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(18) <span class= "bld">Ministered . . . being a child.</span>--A striking contrast is intended to be drawn here between the covetous, self-seeking ministrations of the worldly priests and the quiet service of the boy devoted by his pious mother and father to the sanctuary service.<p><span class= "bld">Girded with a linen ephod.</span>--The ephod was a priestly dress, which Samuel received in very early youth, because he had, with the high priest's formal sanction, been set apart for a life-long service before the Lord. This ephod was an official garment, and consisted of two pieces, which rested on the shoulders in front and behind, and were joined at the top, and fastened about the body with a girdle.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/1_samuel/2.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 18.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">But Samuel ministered.</span> While the misconduct of Eli's sons was thus bringing religion into contempt, and sapping the nation's morals, Samuel was advancing in years and piety, and was gaining that education which made him fit to retrieve the evil of their doings. He is still styled <span class="accented">na'ar</span>, a boy; for the word, according to the Rabbins, may be used up to fifteen years (<a href="/1_samuel/1-24.htm">1 Samuel 1:24</a>). In the sense of servant there is no limit of age; and as it is the word translated "young men" in ver. 17, it probably means there not Eli's sons, but the servants by whose instrumentality their orders were actually carried out. Samuel's dress, an ephod of white linen, was probably that worn by the Levites in their ordinary ministrations; for the ephod of the priests was richer both in material and colour (<a href="/exodus/28-6.htm">Exodus 28:6-8</a>). As being thus the simplest ministerial garment, it was apparently worn also by laymen when taking part in any religious service, as by David when he danced before the ark (<a href="/2_samuel/6-14.htm">2 Samuel 6:14</a>). <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/1_samuel/2-18.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">Now Samuel</span><br /><span class="heb">וּשְׁמוּאֵ֕ל</span> <span class="translit">(ū·šə·mū·’êl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8050.htm">Strong's 8050: </a> </span><span class="str2">Samuel -- 'name of God', a prophet of Israel</span><br /><br /><span class="word">was ministering</span><br /><span class="heb">מְשָׁרֵ֖ת</span> <span class="translit">(mə·šā·rêṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Piel - Participle - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8334.htm">Strong's 8334: </a> </span><span class="str2">To attend as a, menial, worshipper, to contribute to</span><br /><br /><span class="word">before</span><br /><span class="heb">פְּנֵ֣י</span> <span class="translit">(pə·nê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - common plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6440.htm">Strong's 6440: </a> </span><span class="str2">The face</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the LORD—</span><br /><span class="heb">יְהוָ֑ה</span> <span class="translit">(Yah·weh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3068.htm">Strong's 3068: </a> </span><span class="str2">LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel</span><br /><br /><span class="word">a boy</span><br /><span class="heb">נַ֕עַר</span> <span class="translit">(na·‘ar)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5288.htm">Strong's 5288: </a> </span><span class="str2">A boy, lad, youth, retainer</span><br /><br /><span class="word">wearing</span><br /><span class="heb">חָג֖וּר</span> <span class="translit">(ḥā·ḡūr)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2296.htm">Strong's 2296: </a> </span><span class="str2">To gird, gird on, gird oneself</span><br /><br /><span class="word">a linen</span><br /><span class="heb">בָּֽד׃</span> <span class="translit">(bāḏ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_906.htm">Strong's 906: </a> </span><span class="str2">Flaxen thread, yarn, a linen garment</span><br /><br /><span class="word">ephod.</span><br /><span class="heb">אֵפ֥וֹד</span> <span class="translit">(’ê·p̄ō·wḏ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_646.htm">Strong's 646: </a> </span><span class="str2">A girdle, the ephod, highpriest's shoulder-piece, an image</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/1_samuel/2-18.htm">1 Samuel 2:18 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/1_samuel/2-18.htm">1 Samuel 2:18 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/1_samuel/2-18.htm">1 Samuel 2:18 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/1_samuel/2-18.htm">1 Samuel 2:18 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/1_samuel/2-18.htm">1 Samuel 2:18 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/1_samuel/2-18.htm">1 Samuel 2:18 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/1_samuel/2-18.htm">1 Samuel 2:18 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/1_samuel/2-18.htm">1 Samuel 2:18 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/1_samuel/2-18.htm">1 Samuel 2:18 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/1_samuel/2-18.htm">1 Samuel 2:18 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/1_samuel/2-18.htm">OT History: 1 Samuel 2:18 But Samuel ministered before Yahweh being (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/1_samuel/2-17.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="1 Samuel 2:17"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="1 Samuel 2:17" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/1_samuel/2-19.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="1 Samuel 2:19"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="1 Samuel 2:19" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>