Now Samuel was ministering before the LORDSamuel, 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.
a boy wearing a linen ephod
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.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
SamuelA 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.
2.
The LORDThe covenant name of God, Yahweh, before whom Samuel ministered. This highlights the personal and relational aspect of Samuel's service.
3.
Linen EphodA 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.
4.
TabernacleThe central place of worship for the Israelites, where Samuel served. It was the dwelling place of God's presence among His people.
5.
EliThe high priest at the time, under whose guidance Samuel ministered. Eli's own sons were corrupt, contrasting with Samuel's faithful service.
Teaching Points
Faithful Service Begins EarlySamuel'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.
Symbolism of the EphodThe linen ephod represents purity and dedication. As believers, we are called to "put on" Christ and live lives that reflect His holiness and service.
Contrasting FaithfulnessSamuel'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.
God's Presence in ServiceServing "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.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of 1 Samuel 2:18?
2.How does 1 Samuel 2:18 illustrate serving God from a young age?
3.What can we learn from Samuel's dedication to God's service in 1 Samuel 2:18?
4.How does Samuel's service foreshadow Christ's obedience and dedication?
5.In what ways can we serve God faithfully like Samuel did?
6.How does Samuel's example in 1 Samuel 2:18 inspire your personal spiritual growth?
7.How does 1 Samuel 2:18 illustrate the role of children in religious service?
8.What significance does Samuel's linen ephod have in 1 Samuel 2:18?
9.How does 1 Samuel 2:18 contrast with the behavior of Eli's sons?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from 1 Samuel 2?
11.Did David dance nude before the Lord?
12.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?
13.How do we minister to the Lord effectively?
14.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?What Does 1 Samuel 2:18 Mean
Now Samuel was ministering before the LORD• This short statement paints a powerful picture of continual, hands-on service (1 Samuel 3:1).
• “Before the LORD” puts the focus on God’s presence at Shiloh, not on human supervisors. Service done before people can waver, but service done before the Lord is steady (Colossians 3:23-24).
• The context heightens the contrast: while Eli’s corrupt sons were abusing their priestly office (1 Samuel 2:12-17), young Samuel was faithfully serving. God always preserves a remnant who honor Him (Romans 11:4-5).
• Samuel’s ministry fulfills his mother’s vow (1 Samuel 1:11) and foreshadows the prophet he will become, much like Moses who “served continually” in the tent of meeting (Exodus 33:11).
a boy• God delights to use children. Samuel’s youth underlines that availability matters more than age or stature (Jeremiah 1:6-7;1 Timothy 4:12).
• His obedience as a child exposes the disobedience of grown priests. Just as Josiah began seeking the Lord at eight (2 Kings 22:1-2), Samuel shows that tender hearts often respond quickest.
• Jesus later pointed to childlike trust as the model for kingdom greatness (Matthew 18:2-4). Samuel embodies that trust long before the concept was verbalized.
wearing a linen ephod• The ephod was priestly attire (Exodus 28:4), normally reserved for Aaron’s descendants. Samuel, though dedicated from the tribe of Levi through his father (1 Chronicles 6:33-38), wears it as a visible sign of consecration.
• Linen represents purity (Revelation 19:8). In a corrupt environment, Samuel’s simple linen garment says more about holiness than ornate robes ever could.
• David later danced before the ark in a linen ephod (2 Samuel 6:14), echoing Samuel’s example of humble worship.
• The ephod marks Samuel as set apart for intercessory service, prefiguring his later role in leading Israel back to the LORD (1 Samuel 7:5-9).
summaryEven as a child, Samuel stands out: faithfully serving in God’s presence, radiating childlike devotion, and wearing the garb of a consecrated priest.1 Samuel 2:18 reminds us that God values purity over position, obedience over age, and humble service over outward show.
(18)
Ministered . . . being a child.--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.
Girded with a linen ephod.--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.
Verse 18. -
But Samuel ministered. 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
na'ar, a boy; for the word, according to the Rabbins, may be used up to fifteen years (
1 Samuel 1:24). 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 (
Exodus 28:6-8). 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 (
2 Samuel 6:14).
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
Now Samuelוּשְׁמוּאֵ֕ל(ū·šə·mū·’êl)Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 8050:Samuel -- 'name of God', a prophet of Israelwas ministeringמְשָׁרֵ֖ת(mə·šā·rêṯ)Verb - Piel - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 8334:To attend as a, menial, worshipper, to contribute tobeforeפְּנֵ֣י(pə·nê)Noun - common plural construct
Strong's 6440:The facethe LORD—יְהוָ֑ה(Yah·weh)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068:LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israela boyנַ֕עַר(na·‘ar)Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5288:A boy, lad, youth, retainerwearingחָג֖וּר(ḥā·ḡūr)Verb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - masculine singular
Strong's 2296:To gird, gird on, gird oneselfa linenבָּֽד׃(bāḏ)Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 906:Flaxen thread, yarn, a linen garmentephod.אֵפ֥וֹד(’ê·p̄ō·wḏ)Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 646:A girdle, the ephod, highpriest's shoulder-piece, an image
Links
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1 Samuel 2:18 BibleApps.com1 Samuel 2:18 Biblia Paralela1 Samuel 2:18 Chinese Bible1 Samuel 2:18 French Bible1 Samuel 2:18 Catholic Bible
OT History: 1 Samuel 2:18 But Samuel ministered before Yahweh being (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa) 
