1 Samuel 2:18

“But Samuel ministered before the Lord, etc.] The ministration of Samuel, though a child, is observed both before and after the account of the ill behaviour and wickedness of Eli’s sons; partly to the shame and disgrace of them, and as serving to aggravate their sin, and make it appear the more black and heinous; and partly to his honour and reputation, that he was not corrupted and turned aside from God by their evil practices. The phrase here used is different from that in (<090211>1 Samuel 2:11) there he is said to minister before Eli, under his direction and guidance, but here before the Lord; being now engaged in higher services, and which he could perform without the assistance of Eli,…”

“SAMUEL'S MINISTRY. (Sa1 2:18-26) But Samuel ministered before the Lord, being a child--This notice of his early services in the outer courts of the tabernacle was made to pave the way for the remarkable prophecy regarding the high priest's family. girded with a linen ephod--A small shoulder-garment or apron, used in the sacred service by the inferior priests and Levites; sometimes also by judges or eminent persons, and hence allowed to Samuel, who, though not a Levite, was devoted to God from his birth.”

“Girded with a linen ephod - This was the usual dress of the priests. It does not appear whether Levites wore an ephod properly. Possibly it was a mark of Samuel’s special dedication to the Lord’s service that he wore one. (See the marginal reference). The ephod was sometimes used as an idolatrous implement Judges 8:27. return to 'Top of Page'”

“Ministered - That is, performed his ministration carefully and faithfully. Before the Lord - In God's tabernacle. Ephod - A garment used in God's service, and allowed not only to the inferior priests and Levites but also to eminent persons of the people, and therefore to Samuel, who, though no Levite, was a Nazarite, from his birth. 1 Kings (1 Samuel) 2:21”

“2:18 The clause Samuel . . . served the Lord describes the ritual service of Levites and priests (see, e.g., Num 3:4; 8:19, 24; Deut 18:7). Like Eli’s sons, Samuel was a Levite (see study note on 1 Sam 1:1). But unlike Eli’s sons, he lived up to his calling. • He wore a linen garment like that of a priest, as did the priests who ministered in the sanctuary (see study note on 22:18).”

“ministered: Sa1 2:11, Sa1 3:1 a linen ephod: Sa1 22:18; Exo 28:4; Lev 8:7; Sa2 6:14 1 Kings (1 Samuel) 2:19”

“Samuel's service before the Lord. - Sa1 2:18. Samuel served as a boy before the Lord by the side of the worthless sons of Eli, girt with an ephod of white material (בּד, see at Exo 28:42). The ephod was a shoulder-dress, no doubt resembling the high priest's in shape (see Exo 28:6.), but altogether different in the material of which it was made, viz., simple white cloth, like the other articles of clothing that were worn by the priests. At that time, according to Sa1 22:18, all the priests wore clothing of this kind; and, according to Sa2 6:14, David did the same on the occasion of a religious festival. Samuel received a dress of this kind even when a boy, because he was set apart to a…”