1 Samuel 2:19

A little coat. — The “little coat” — Hebrew, m’il — was, no doubt, closely resembling in shape the m’il, or robe worn apparently by the high priest, only the little m’il of Samuel was without the costly symbolical ornaments attached to the high priestly robe.

This strange, unusual dress was, no doubt, arranged for the boy by his protector and guardian, Eli, who looked on the child as destined for some great work in connection with the life of the chosen people. Not improbably the old man, too, well aware of the character of his own sons, hoped to train up the favoured child — whose connection with himself and the sanctuary had begun in so remarkable a manner — as his successor in the chief sacred and civil office in Israel.