18. But Samuel ministered before the Lord, being a child, clothed with a linen ephod.
19. Moreover his mother made him a little robe, and brought it to him from year to year, when she came up with her husband to offer the yearly sacrifice.
20. Eli blessed Elkanah and his wife, and said, “May The Lord give you offspring from this woman for the petition which was asked of the Lord.” Then they went to their own home.
21. The Lord visited Hannah, and she conceived, and bore three sons and two daughters. The child Samuel grew before the Lord.
22. Now Eli was very old; and he heard all that his sons did to all Israel, and how that they slept with the women who served at the door of the Tent of Meeting.
23. He said to them, “Why do you do such things? For I hear of your evil dealings from all this people.
24. No, my sons; for it is not a good report that I hear! You make the Lord’s people disobey.
25. If one man sins against another, God will judge him; but if a man sins against the Lord, who will intercede for him?” Notwithstanding, they didn’t listen to the voice of their father, because the Lord intended to kill them.
26. The child Samuel grew on, and increased in favour both with the Lord, and also with men.