18. The boy Samuel served in the Lord’s presence and wore a linen ephod.
19. Each year his mother made him a little robe and took it to him when she went with her husband to offer the annual sacrifice.
20. Eli would bless Elkanah and his wife: “May the Lord give you children by this woman in place of the one she has given to the Lord.” Then they would go home.
21. The Lord paid attention to Hannah’s need, and she conceived and gave birth to three sons and two daughters. Meanwhile, the boy Samuel grew up in the presence of the Lord.
22. Now Eli was very old. He heard about everything his sons were doing to all Israel and how they were sleeping with the women who served at the entrance to the tent of meeting.
23. He said to them, “Why are you doing these things? I have heard about your evil actions from all these people.
24. No, my sons, the report I hear from the Lord’s people is not good.
25. If a man sins against another man, God can intercede for him, but if a man sins against the Lord, who can intercede for him? ” But they would not listen to their father, since the Lord intended to kill them.
26. By contrast, the boy Samuel grew in stature and in favor with the Lord and with men.