1 Samuel 2:18-26

Samuel's service in the Tabernacle. 1 Samuel 2:18-26

18 But Samuel ministered before the Lord, being a child, girded with a linen ephod.

19 Moreover his mother made him a little coat, and brought it to him from year to year, when she came up with her husband to offer the yearly sacrifice.

20 And Eli blessed Elkanah and his wife, and said, The Lord gave thee seed of this woman for the loan which is lent to the Lord. And they went unto their own home.
21 And the Lord visited Hannah, so that she conceived, and bare three sons and two daughters. And the child Samuel grew before the Lord.
22 Now Eli was very old, and heard all that his sons did unto all Israel; and how they lay with the women that assembled at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.

23 And he said unto them, Why do ye such things? for I hear of your evil dealings by all this people.
24 Nay, my sons; for it is no good report that I hear: ye make the Lord's people to transgress.

25 If one man sin against another, the judge shall judge him: but if a man sin against the Lord, who shall entreat for him? Notwithstanding they hearkened not unto the voice of their father, because the Lord would slay them.
26 And the child Samuel grew on, and was in favor both with the Lord, and also with men.

15.

What is a linen ephod? 1 Samuel 2:18

A welcome change comes in the narrative as we read about the child Samuel ministering before the Lord. Earlier we read that he ministered unto the Lord (1 Samuel 2:11 b). His ministry was before Eli the priest (1 Samuel 2:11 b). Here we read that he ministered before the Lord. All of this would indicate that his real service was unto God and not unto men. At the same time he was under the direction of Eli the priest. Samuel must have ministered conscientiously as one who would minister before the Lord. The linen ephod which he wore was the distinctive garment worn by the priests. It was a part of the apparel as commanded by God through Moses for Aaron, the first priest and his sons (Exodus 28:4). The ephod was to be made of gold, of blue, of purple, of scarlet, and of fine twined linen with cunning work. It was joined with two shoulder pieces at the edges of it. A band went around it. On the shoulders of the garment were two onyx stones on which were engraved the names of the children of Israel. The names of six tribes were on one stone and the other six names on the other stone. This was the garment that the high priest was to wear (Exodus 28:6; Exodus 28:12). Eli probably wore this distinctive garment, but the other priests were given ephods to wear. These ephods were something similar to the garments which we call jumpers today. Samuel was given this distinctive garment to wear. It was the sign of the fact that he was ministering as a priest around the Tabernacle.

16.

What kind of a coat did Hannah make for Samuel? 1 Samuel 2:18

The priests were also commanded to wear a coat. Moses was told to make coats for Aaron and his sons as well as girdles to bind them at the waist. In addition, they wore bonnets for glory and for beauty (Exodus 28:40). Since it is not said that Hannah made the ephod for Samuel, we presume that the coat she made was more of a token of her abiding love for him than an effort to equip him in the full regalia of a priest. Her motherly devotion is seen in the fact that she made him a new one each year. As he grew in stature, it would be necessary for him to have a new garment.

17.

What blessing did Eli pronounce upon Elkanah and Hannah? 1 Samuel 2:20

Eli pronounced a blessing upon this devoted couple as they came to the Tabernacle. He prayed that the Lord would give them additional children in exchange for Samuel whom they had lent to the Lord (1 Samuel 1:28). God visited Hannah as we read in the next verse. She conceived and had three sons and two daughters (1 Samuel 2:21).

18.

In what way did Samuel grow? 1 Samuel 2:21

In a later verse (1 Samuel 2:26) we read that Samuel grew on and was in favor both with the Lord and also with men. This is suggestive in the way in which John the Baptist grew. Of him we read the child grew and waxed strong in spirit (Luke 1:80). Of Jesus it was said Jesus increased in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and man (Luke 2:52).

19.

Who were the women that assembled at the door of the Tabernacle? 1 Samuel 2:22

When Moses built the Tabernacle, he made the laver of brass out of the looking glasses of the women which assembled at the door of the Tabernacle of the congregation (Exodus 38:8).

Jephthah may have devoted his daughter to perpetual service at the Tabernacle (Judges 11:29-40). If he did not actually sacrifice her on an altar as a burnt offering, he may have devoted her to service as long as she lived. Such a dedication to holy service would be reason for the daughters of Israel to go up yearly to celebrate the daughter of Jephthah in a feast for four days in a year (Judges 11:40). When Jesus was born, Hannah the prophetess who gave her whole life to service around the Temple, came up to see the Messiah (Luke 2:36-38). Evidently there were many of these women in the days of Eli. They probably did what they could in service around the Tabernacle. At least they spent their time in prayer and worship. The baseness of the sons of Eli is brought out in the mention of the fact that they committed adultery with these women.

20.

Did Eli rebuke his sons? 1 Samuel 2:23-24

Eli rebuked his sons, but his rebuke was very weak. When the man of God came to him, he said that Eli honored his sons above God (1 Samuel 2:29). When God told Samuel that Eli was to be punished, God said of Eli and his sons that he restrained them not (1 Samuel 3:13).

21.

What did Eli mean by a sign against the Lord? 1 Samuel 2:25

Eli is saying that when one man steals from another there is an earthly judge who renders the verdict. When our transgressions are against our fellowmen, we might expect that our fellowmen would judge us. If our transgression is against God, God has already pronounced judgment. It is inexcusable for us to sin against the Lord. It would not do for man to plead the case for another man before the Lord. Only the Lord Jesus Christ is our advocate (1 John 2:1). Those living under the Old Testament dispensation did not have the hope of the Christian for an advocate before God. They could expect only a certain fearful judgment.

22.

Did God want to slay Eli's sons? 1 Samuel 2:25 b

God is not willing that any should perish (2 Peter 3:9). He has laid down certain rules and laws of life. For example, it is written, correction is grievous unto them that forsaketh the way and he that hateth reproof shall die (Proverbs 15:10). Since Eli's sons would not listen to the correction of their father, they were doomed to destruction. God would slay them, for they could not be allowed to continue in their rebellion.