Shmuel Alef 2:26

26 And the na’ar Shmuel was growing, and was in favor both with Hashem and also with anashim.

Shmuel Alef 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.

Shmuel Alef 2:26 In-Context

24 Nay, my banim; for it is no good report that I hear; ye make Am Hashem to transgress.

25 If one ish sin against another ish, Elohim shall intervene as arbiter for him; but if an ish sin against Hashem, who shall entreat for him? Notwithstanding they paid heed not unto the kol avihem (voice of their father), because Hashem willed to execute them.

26 And the na’ar Shmuel was growing, and was in favor both with Hashem and also with anashim.

27 And there came an Ish Elohim unto Eli, and said unto him, Thus saith Hashem, Did I not plainly reveal Myself unto the Bais Avicha, when they were in Mitzrayim under Bais Pharaoh?

28 And did I not choose him out of kol Shivtei Yisroel to be Kohen to Me, to ascend Mine Mizbe’ach, to burn ketoret, to wear an Ephod in My presence? And did I give unto the Bais Avicha all the fire offerings of the Bnei Yisroel?