1 Samuel 2:26

26 And the young Samuel, becoming older, had the approval of the Lord and of men.

1 Samuel 2:26 Meaning and Commentary

1 Samuel 2:26

And the child Samuel grew up
Increased in stature and in grace, grew more and more in all respects, and better and better, while Eli's sons grew worse and worse; the contrast between these make the one to shine and appear illustrious, and the other to look the blacker: or "he went on, and grew, and was good" ^F26; as he proceeded on in years, and grew in stature, he appeared more and more to be a good man, a virtuous, holy, and gracious person:

and was in favour both with the Lord, and also with men;
the Lord was pleased to give him some tokens of his favour, that he delighted in him, that he was wellpleasing in his sight, and that his person and services were acceptable to him; and the more Eli's sons disgusted the people by their ill lives and conduct, the greater esteem among them did Samuel obtain by his becoming life and conversation; all admired him, spoke well of him, and thanked God that in such bad times he was raising up one among them, of whom they had the most hopeful prospect of usefulness to them.

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FOOTNOTES:

F26 (bwjw ldgw Klh) "ambulans, et grandescens et bonus", Montanus; so Vatablus & Drusius.

1 Samuel 2:26 In-Context

24 No, my sons, the account which is given me, which the Lord's people are sending about, is not good.

25 If one man does wrong to another, God will be his judge: but if a man's sin is against the Lord, who will take up his cause? But they gave no attention to the voice of their father, for it was the Lord's purpose to send destruction on them.

26 And the young Samuel, becoming older, had the approval of the Lord and of men.

27 And a man of God came to Eli and said to him, The Lord says, Did I let myself be seen by your father's people when they were in Egypt, servants in Pharaoh's house?

28 Did I take him out of all the tribes of Israel to be my priest and to go up to my altar to make the smoke of the offerings go up and to take up the ephod? Did I give to your father's family all the offerings made by fire by the children of Israel?